They say the PUC’s ‘extreme’ changes, which are opposed by the governor for different reasons, will stifle industry investment and were improperly adopted. by Kevin Miller, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — Maine’s largest environmental organization pledged Wednesday to “pursue every opportunity” to reverse controversial solar energy rules adopted by the state 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!
PUC Finalizes Extreme Anti-solar Rules
NRCM Prepared to Fight to Overturn Them in the Legislature Statement of Dylan Voorhees, Climate and Clean Energy Director, Natural Resources Council of Maine “The Maine Public Utilities Commission’s (PUC’s) new net metering rules include some of the most extreme anti-solar elements in the nation. They would roll back solar net metering, destroying good Maine Read More
Nonprofit Formed to Preserve and Protect Maine’s New National Monument
by Susan Sharon Maine Public news story LEWISTON, Maine – Six months after the creation of the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, a new nonprofit group has been formed to preserve and protect it. The Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters is a private group with a 13-member board of directors. Secretary Cathy Johnson Read More
How Would LePage’s Plan to Outsource Park Jobs Affect Visitors?
Conservation advocates believe replacing the current staff would hurt the visitor experience, but the state says the change comes with benefits. by Kevin Miller, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — Conservation advocates are raising concerns about Gov. Paul LePage’s proposal to outsource two dozen jobs at Maine’s state parks and to eliminate Read More
Bill to Apply 15-cent Deposit to Mini Liquor Bottles Advances
Supporters say the number of ‘nips’ showing up in roadside ditches or tossed on front lawns is increasing with the popularity of the 50-milliliter bottles. By Kevin Miller, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — Miniature liquor bottles would be subject to Maine’s 15-cent bottle deposit next year under a bill endorsed by Read More
UNH, UMaine Climate Scientists: Trump Era Brings Challenges
By Deborah McDermott Seacoast Online news story This is a troubling time to be a climate scientist, say professors from the University of New Hampshire and the University of Maine. It is a time of unease and uncertainty, they say, as the Trump administration signals research, data collection and scientific inquiry could be under attack. Read More
‘Rather Than Reignite Controversy,’ LePage Should Drop Monument Repeal Effort, Senators Say
By Nick Sambides Jr., BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story U.S. Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King say northern Maine accepts the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument and so should Gov. Paul LePage. In separate statements released Wednesday and Thursday, the senators said LePage was wrong to ask President Trump to reverse an executive Read More
LePage to Trump: Ax North Woods National Monument
By Nick Sambides Jr., BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story Gov. Paul LePage has asked President Donald Trump to reverse an executive order by the Obama administration that created the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument and return the land to private ownership. In a two-page letter dated Feb. 14, the Republican governor asks Read More
NRCM “Deeply Dismayed” by Senate Vote Confirming Pruitt to Head EPA
Statement of Lisa Pohlmann, Executive Director, Natural Resources Council of Maine We are deeply dismayed that the U.S. Senate has voted to confirm Scott Pruitt as Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. This is bad news for Maine, because we depend on clean air, clean water, and a healthy environment as a foundation of our Read More
