The legislation to charge a refundable 5-cent deposit on miniature liquor bottles is aimed at reducing roadside litter. By Kevin Miller, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — A bill that would impose a 5-cent deposit on the miniature liquor bottles known as “nips” advanced in the Legislature on Tuesday. Touted as a 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!
NRCM Statement on Unanimous Maine Senate Vote for New Protective Mining Law for Maine
Statement of Nick Bennett, Staff Scientist, Natural Resources Council of Maine “NRCM is grateful for today’s unanimous vote in the Maine Senate for a mining bill that will protect Maine’s clean water and taxpayers from the risks of irresponsible mining. “This strong bipartisan bill is the culmination of five years of effort by lawmakers and Read More
Maine Senate Unanimously Votes to Ban Open-pit Mining
By Anthony Brino, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story The Maine Senate has passed a bipartisan metal mining bill that would ban open pit mines and wastewater impoundments, although some environmental advocates fear it does not go far enough. LD 820, An Act To Protect Maine’s Clean Water and Taxpayers from Mining Pollution, passed Read More
Bill to Restrict Mineral Mining Headed for Maine Senate
Sen. Brownie Carson says his bill would be ‘the most protective piece of mining legislation I believe that can be found anywhere.’ by the Associated Press Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — Leading environmental groups and state environmental regulators are working together on a bill they say would create strict regulations for mining Maine’s Read More
Don’t Drive Away Investment in Katahdin Region
As President Trump tries to undo monument protections, Maine residents should speak up. Portland Press Herald editorial If investment capital goes where it is welcome, as Gov. LePage likes to say, then the money flowing into the Katahdin region must feel pretty unwanted. In just the short time since then-President Barack Obama designated roughly 87,500 Read More
How Mainers Keep Finding New Sources of Energy
By Lauren Abbate, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story UNITY, Maine ― Attendees of this year’s Common Ground Country Fair in September may notice something new atop the five animal barns on the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association’s campus. And no, it’s not a new species of barnyard bird. It’s a newly installed Read More
Legislative Committee Holds Hearing on Solar Incentives
by Fred Bever Maine Public news story An overflow crowd turned out for a legislative committee hearing Thursday as supporters and opponents of incentives for solar power development in Maine squared off. Earlier this year state regulators adopted a new version of solar power rules that would gradually reduce existing incentives for the installation of Read More
Customers’ Bills at Center of Fierce Debate Over Incentives for Maine Rooftop Solar
Dozens of people crowd a hearing on new rules that the Legislature is considering to encourage homeowner use of solar power. by Tux Turkel, staff writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — Clean-energy advocates and their supporters rallied Thursday around legislation aimed at maintaining and expanding financial incentives for rooftop solar electricity. But while Read More
Two Visions for Katahdin Region: Gov. LePage vs. Lucas St. Clair
By James McCarthy, staff writer Maine Biz news story Two sharply different visions for the future of the Katahdin region were presented during Tuesday’s Republican-led hearing in Washington, D.C., looking at presidentially declared national monuments, including Maine’s Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. Only four witnesses were invited to speak before the Federal Lands Subcommittee Read More