Pilot programs will test an idea that officials say is the next big phase for municipal recycling because it involves almost 28 percent of household trash in the state. By Peter McGuire, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story South Portland and Scarborough are getting ready to launch Maine’s first municipal food waste collection programs. 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!
Gov. Paul LePage to Testify Against National Monument
by Michael Shepherd Bangor Daily News news story printed on sunjournal.com Gov. Paul LePage is planning another trip to Washington, D.C. This time, it’s about the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. The Republican governor told WGAN on Thursday he’s going in April or May to testify before a congressional committee that former President Barack Obama Read More
Green Power Advocates Press Regulators to Adopt Solar-friendly Rules
by Steve Collins, staff writer Sun Journal news story AUGUSTA — Solar power advocates are asking Maine utility regulators to reconsider a recent ruling they say will crimp the growth of a much-needed new energy source. A coalition of critics filed a formal petition Tuesday with the Maine Public Utilities Commission calling on it to Read More
Strong Opposition to Mining in Maine – But It Still Might Be Allowed
by George Smith Bangor Daily News column “God does not come back and rebuild these mountains.” That was the testimony of a Maine tribal leader, in a 6-hour public hearing by the legislature’s Environment and Natural Resources Committee on mining bills. Many strong statements were delivered yesterday afternoon at the hearing. One of the strongest Read More
Town Bans Single-use Plastic Bags
Brunswick Town Council conducts vote on Monday by Juliette Laaka, Times Record Staff Times Record news story The Brunswick Town Council voted Monday to ban single-use plastic bags, with the measure set to be enacted Sept. 1. All councilors barring John Perreault were in favor of the ordinance, proposed by Councilors Steve Walker and Kathy Read More
Solar Advocates Petition PUC to Reconsider Net Metering Decision
The filing is regarded as a likely precursor to a potential court challenge of the Maine Public Utilities Commission that changed the financial incentives for solar energy customers. by Kevin Miller, staff writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA – A coalition of organizations and businesses are petitioning the Maine Public Utilities Commission to reconsider Read More
Dozens Fight Back Over Maine’s Proposed Mining Rules
By Anthony Brino, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story Dozens of Mainers showed up in Augusta on the first day of spring with a familiar message for members of the Legislature: open pit metal mining is too risky for Maine. More than 40 citizens, plus additional representatives from environmental groups, voiced their opposition to Read More
Maine Businesses, Solar Companies, Conservation and Public Health Groups, and Others Formally Petition PUC for Reconsideration of New Solar Net Metering Rule
More than 2,000 Maine residents join request News release AUGUSTA, MAINE—Deeply troubled by the solar rule adopted by the Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) last month, large and small businesses, solar companies, workers, conservation and public health groups, and Mainers who want to install solar filed a formal “petition for reconsideration” today. They were joined Read More
Lawmakers to Revisit Maine’s Rules for Mining
Proposals range from easing environmental regulations to enacting a ban on metal mining. by Kevin Miller, staff writer Portland Press Herald news story The years-long debate over mining in Maine will return to the State House on Monday when lawmakers consider proposals to either rewrite the state’s environmental regulations or enact a total ban on Read More