The measure would lift restrictions on current large-scale solar projects, and set new power goals. by Tux Turkel, staff writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — A parade of proponents turned out Thursday at a public hearing for a bill that would greatly expand community solar farms in Maine. The bill’s sponsor, Sen. David 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!
Is Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument on “the List”?
Lucas St. Clair says a Trump administration official suggested the National Monument designation won’t be reviewed, but an Interior Department spokeswoman says it could be. by Kevin Miller, staff writer Portland Press Herald news story Questions swirled Thursday about whether the Trump administration plans to review Maine’s Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument after the Read More
Lawmakers Back Bill to Overhaul Maine’s Mining Regulations
The long-sought compromise, which has the support of several major environmental organizations, would ban open-pit mines and prohibit mining on state-owned public lands and under lakes. by Kevin Miller, staff writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — A legislative committee gave near-unanimous support Wednesday to a proposed overhaul of Maine’s mining regulations that has Read More
Maine Monument’s Future in Doubt after Trump Orders Review
By Nick Sambides Jr., BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story With a smiling Gov. Paul LePage looking on, President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed an executive order telling the U.S. Department of the Interior to review at least two dozen national monuments created by presidential decree — likely including Maine’s Katahdin Woods and Waters Read More
LePage Joins Trump for Signing of Order to Review Designations of National Monuments
Trump’s order seeks to review national monument designations but it’s not clear if it will affect Maine’s Katahdin Woods and Water National Monument. by Scott Thistle, staff writer Portland Press Herald news story Gov. Paul LePage joined President Trump in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday for a ceremony where Trump signed an executive order to review Read More
Mining Bill Clears Major Hurdle, Divides Environmental Activists
By Anthony Brino, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story A mining reform bill backed by the Natural Resources Council of Maine received the greenlight from a key committee Wednesday, but the action also opened up a rift among environmental advocates, with some arguing that the state should ban large-scale metal mining outright. The Maine Read More
Environmentalists Vow to Fight Trump on Maine Monument
By David Abel, staff writer Boston Globe news story President Trump on Wednesday will issue a sweeping executive order to review as many as 40 national monument designations made by his three predecessors, an unprecedented move that could curtail or rescind their protected status. It was unclear which areas would come under review, but the Read More
Open Pits, Water Contamination Banned in New Protections Added to Mining Bill
By Anthony Brino, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story A key legislative committee this week could advance a mining bill backed by the Natural Resources Council of Maine that would ban large open pit metal mines and impoundments of mine waste. Members of the state Legislature’s Joint Environment and Natural Resources Committee spent three Read More
The Nuisance of “Nips”
by Edgar Allen Beem The Forecaster column When I drove into the drug store parking lot the other day I found myself parked in a litter of little plastic liquor bottles. I mentioned this to an employee who told me they had someone who picked up the empty “nips” once or twice a day, but Read More
