Augusta – Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt has indicated his intent to deem America’s cleaner car standards “inappropriate,” reversing the agency’s previous determination that they should continue as planned. The standards require increasingly less-polluting cars for model years 2022-2025 and were adopted with support of automakers and after intensive analysis. “With this cleaner Read More
Maine Environmental News
Maine environmental news often comes quickly and with little warning. Stay up to date on Maine environment news.
From issues such as climate change, healthy waters, Maine forests and wildlife, and sustainability—and environmental policy that could impact them—you’ll find NRCM’s up-to-the-minute news releases to see our perspective on the most pressing issues facing Maine’s land, air, waters, and wildlife. This includes findings relating to our role as Maine’s watchdog of activities of state environmental agencies—we stand ready to blow the whistle when regulations are not enforced.
You can also find our news “round up,” News & Noteworthy, which puts the spotlight on media stories that do a particularly good job capturing current news about Maine's environment. We hope you find this part of our website helpful and informative!
CMP Energy Project Could Tunnel Under Kennebec River Gorge
by Fred Bever Maine Public news story Massachusetts officials say they are ready to negotiate final terms for the construction of a $950 million transmission line to carry electricity from Canada’s Hydro-Quebec dam system through Maine down to the Bay State. Central Maine Power says it can complete the project by 2022, but it is Read More
In Reversal, Massachusetts Puts CMP in Lead Position for $950 Million Power Line Project
The Bay State abandons talks with one developer and is pursuing a deal with the Maine utility for a 145-mile line running from the Canadian border to Lewiston and into the regional grid. by Tux Turkel, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story Massachusetts energy officials ended talks Wednesday with the developer of a proposed Read More
Massachusetts Drops NH Transmission Proposal; Top Pick Shifts to Power Line Across Maine
Statement of Dylan Voorhees, Climate and Clean Energy Project Director, Natural Resources Council of Maine “Unfortunately, after making the wise choice to reject the flawed New Hampshire Northern Pass proposal, the Massachusetts selection committee has selected a nearly identical proposal from Central Maine Power (CMP). “New Hampshire officials rejected the Northern Pass proposal because of Read More
How Climate Change is Affecting the Maine Maple Syrup Industry
By Abigail Curtis, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story On a spring day so cold the sap froze in the few old-fashioned buckets that Mark Cooper of Coopers Maple Products still uses, the Windham maple producer talked about the changes he has noticed over the 31 years he’s been in business. The season used Read More
The End of Maple Syrup? Climate Change Threatens Maine’s Iconic Maple Sugar Industry
NRCM news release Windham, Maine – Today, at a news conference at Cooper’s Maple Products, maple producers, a forest expert, a representative from Senator King’s office, and a conservationist described the effects climate change may have on maple syrup production in Maine. In advance of the 35th annual Maine Maple Sunday (coming up March 25), Read More
LePage’s Bill to Limit Local Control of Pesticide Use Appears Headed for Defeat
It’s the governor’s second attempt at pushing the pesticide policy. by Mary Pols, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — A bill proposed by Gov. Paul LePage that would prevent Maine municipalities from limiting or banning pesticide use appears headed for defeat after a legislative committee voted 9-2 against it Wednesday. About 20 Read More
The Trump Budget is a Threat to Maine’s Environment
By Shri A. Verrill and Irit Altman, Special to the BDN Bangor Daily News op-ed The Trump administration’s proposed budget cuts are a direct threat to Maine’s environmental resources, economy and the public health of our residents. The president proposed dramatic cuts to nearly every agency working to protect the environment, particularly funding for renewable Read More
Southern Maine Bus Services Consider Cleaning Up Their Act with Electric Vehicles
‘The future of public transit is electric,’ says the head of ShuttleBus-Zoom, which may join Greater Portland Metro and apply for grant money to replace diesel buses with electric ones. by Penelope Overton, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story Greater Portland Metro and ShuttleBus-Zoom may come together to bring the first electric-powered buses to Read More
