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
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!
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
Maine Solar Advocates Win Reprieve in Advance of Lawsuit
The Maine PUC delays the start of the law to allow time to clear up confusion, extending the current power pricing that’s an incentive for rooftop installations. by Tux Turkel, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story HALLOWELL — Maine’s rooftop solar installers won a four-month reprieve Tuesday when the Maine Public Utilities Commission voted Read More
Maine PUC Still Doesn’t Know How to Implement Its New Net Metering Rule
Delays Implementation Until May 1, 2018 Statement by Dylan Voorhees, Clean Energy Director, Natural Resources Council of Maine “Today the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) reckoned with some of the flaws in their ill-conceived and harmful net metering rollback, deciding to delay implementation by four months. This is a small victory, considering what Maine people really Read More
King Angry; Poliquin Pleased Over Tax Bill Passage
by Jennifer Mitchell Maine Public news story WASHINGTON, D.C – Maine Independent Sen. Angus King says he’s “angry” and “disappointed” over the passage of the $1.4 trillion GOP tax overhaul bill. “The American people deserve better,” says King. King said Saturday that there was ample opportunity to gather expert input on the bill’s actual effects. Read More
Senate Tax Bill Passes, Including Environmentally Damaging Give-Away to Fossil Fuel Corporations
Statement of Lisa Pohlmann, Executive Director, Natural Resources Council of Maine We are deeply disappointed that Senator Collins voted for a tax bill that would open up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) to oil drilling. This vote reverses her 20-year record of opposing efforts to allow oil drilling in ANWR, and it is inconsistent Read More
Despite Unneeded Hurdles, Katahdin Monument Draws Visitors from Around the World
Bangor Daily News editorial In its first year of existence, the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument drew nearly 30,000 visitors. Nearly half came in the summer, via the monument’s roads, and another 15,000 people visited the monument on snowmobiles during the winter. Considering that Gov. Paul LePage has forbidden the Maine Department of Transportation Read More
