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
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!
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
Gov. LePage Should Drop Effort to Rescind Katahdin National Monument
As the region begins to benefit from the designation, the governor should direct his energy toward helping Maine’s forest products industry develop a long-term economic plan. Portland Press Herald editorial If Gov. LePage really wants to “make the Maine woods great again,” eliminating the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument isn’t the way to do 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 Urges Trump to Scrap Katahdin-area National Monument
The governor says the designation will harm the economy and recreation in the region, but presidents may lack the power to rescind a predecessor’s designation. By Kevin Miller, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story Read Governor LePage’s letter. AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage is asking President Trump to reverse the national monument designation on 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
Environmental Groups Decry Confirmation of Scott Pruitt to Lead EPA
by Mal Leary Maine Public news story The U.S. Senate has voted to confirm Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt as head of the Environmental Protection Agency. Environmental activists are upset that the vote was allowed to happen before next week’s public release of emails between Pruitt and energy company executives. The Senate voted 52-46 to 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