by Fred Bever Maine Public news story Maine’s Supreme Judicial Court is weighing the future of incentives for residential solar power. The court heard arguments Wednesday in a challenge to state regulators’ efforts to reduce and eventually phase out those incentives. The case for maintaining more generous incentives for solar installations was argued not by 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!
Public Utilities Commission Hears from Public on Proposed Solar Rule Change
By Brandon Doyen WABI news story HALLOWELL, Maine (WABI) – The Public Utilities Commission heard from the public in Hallowell on Tuesday on a rule the PUC proposed that would double the cost to connect solar installations to the grid. Members from the Natural Resources Council of Maine as well as businesses and homeowners that Read More
Federal Judge Again Denies South Portland’s Plea to Dismiss Pipeline Company’s Lawsuit
The judge may rule next on the merits of Portland Pipe Line’s challenge to the city’s Clear Skies ordinance, which blocks the flow of Canadian crude oil to South Portland. by Kelley Bouchard, staff writer Portland Press Herald news story Judge John Woodcock Jr. opened his written order issued Tuesday with a weary-sounding reference to Read More
Resistance to LePage’s Solar Policies Grows in Maine
Environmental groups are pushing back on both the dismantling of net metering and increased interconnection fees on solar owners, in the courts and in public hearings. by Christian Roselund PV Magazine news story Maine Governor Paul LePage was initially elected to office with less than 40% of the vote, and was largely the beneficiary of Read More
Canadian Company Presents Plan for Mining Thousands of Acres in Northern Maine
by A.J. Higgins Maine Public news story Dreams of excavating mineral riches in northern Maine have persisted since the late 1970s, when a geological survey confirmed significant deposits of zinc, copper, silver and lead in the region. Since then, mining companies have had their eyes on the Pickett Mountain area north of Patten, but have Read More
Collins Draws Ire from Conservation Groups Over Vote on Senate Tax Bill, Allowing Arctic Drilling
by Susan Sharon Maine Public news story As Republicans look to reconcile key differences between the House and Senate versions of their tax bills, one of the flashpoints is around a remote, eastern corner of Alaska — the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, considered one of the most pristine wilderness areas in the country. The Senate Read More
Future Remains Uncertain for Katahdin Woods and Waters
Mainebiz news story Supporters of the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument expressed relief on Tuesday that Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke isn’t recommending the 87,500-acre monument be reduced in size, which is what he recommended for more than a half dozen other monuments in his final report on the fate of 27 national monuments released Read More
Cabinet Official again Commits to National Monument in Maine
By the Associated Press Boston Globe news story MILLINOCKET, Maine — Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke on Tuesday reiterated his support for a ‘‘made in Maine’’ solution that keeps intact the boundaries of the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. In his final report to the president, Zinke recommended that timbering should be permitted on the Read More
Interior Secretary Zinke Fails to Resolve Uncertainty for Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument
Statement of Cathy Johnson, Forests and Wildlife Project Director, Natural Resources Council of Maine “Today Interior Secretary Zinke released a memorandum to President Trump recommending potentially damaging changes to Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. It is unclear what action President Trump will take in response to the recommendations. “At a time when residents and Read More
