Academic and health care investigators are learning more about the complex web of factors driving the expansion of tick habitat, including global warming. By Joe Lawlor, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story The changing climate in Maine caused by global warming is potentially creating new tick habitats and accelerating the spread of Lyme disease, 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!
Susan Collins, Angus King Oppose Plan That Could Allow Drilling Off Maine Coast
By Mal Leary Maine Public news story Maine’s two U.S. senators say they are opposed to President Donald Trump’s proposal that would open federal waters on the East Coast to oil and gas drilling. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke announced the proposal this week that would allow new offshore oil and gas drilling in nearly all Read More
Maine Town Wins Round in Tar Sands Oil Battle With Industry
At the heart of the legal fight between South Portland and a pipeline company is the issue of ‘local control,’ and whether a community can block an energy project. By Sabrina Shankman Inside Climate News news story SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine—A federal judge has handed a win to South Portland, Maine over a pipeline company that Read More
Proposal to Drill in Waters Off Maine Coast Widely Opposed
By Jennifer Mitchell Maine Public news story On Thursday, the Trump administration announced a draft proposal that would open large swaths of federal waters to potential oil and gas drilling, including the coast of Maine. The proposal would open most of the outer continental shelf to oil and gas drilling for a five-year lease period Read More
Trump Plan Would Open Maine Waters to Oil Drilling
Five-Year Offshore Plan could devastate Maine’s coastlines, fisheries and coastal communities Statement of Lisa Pohlmann, Executive Director, Natural Resources Council of Maine “The Trump Administration today released a dangerous five-year plan for offshore oil and gas leasing in the Atlantic Ocean—including off the coast of Maine, Pacific Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Arctic Ocean. This Read More
Solar Power Continues to Gain Ground in Central Maine
Projects are going up all over, aiming to harness electricity and, in the process, create local jobs. by Colin Ellis, Morning Sentinel Central Maine newspapers news story In early December, when light was dwindling in the late afternoon and wintry weather was taking hold, space heaters were coming out of storage and household lights were Read More
Just Because It is Cold in Maine Doesn’t Mean Climate Change Isn’t Real
Bangor Daily News editorial As it came to a frigid end on the East Coast, 2017 cemented its place in the record books as a year of weather-related disasters. Thanks to three close together hurricanes and a prolonged wildfire season in the west, disaster spending in the United States reached a new high. Scientists warn Read More
Federal Judge Narrows Portland Pipe Line Case Against South Portland Ordinance
U.S. District Judge John Woodcock ruled against many of the company’s arguments but left open the question whether the ban on crude oil exports interferes with interstate commerce. by Kevin Miller, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story A federal judge on Friday largely rejected arguments from Portland Pipe Line Company challenging the legality of Read More
Lawmaker to Propose Bill Reducing All Liquor Bottle Deposits from 15 to 5 Cents
by Mal Leary Maine Public news story Advocates of Maine’s 40-year-old bottle deposit law are concerned about a proposal to lower the deposit on liquor bottles from 15 cents down to five cents. The lawmaker behind the bill says she’s simply trying to make the state law more consistent and fair. Earlier this year the Read More
