Maine’s Republican senator cites the Oklahoma attorney general’s lawsuits against the environmental agency on ‘numerous issues that are of great importance to the state of Maine.’ by Dennis Hoey, staff writer Portland Press Herald news story Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, breaking with her party again, said Wednesday that she will vote against confirming 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’s Mishandling of Solar Rules Will Hurt Industry, Utilities and Ratepayers
They create solar disincentives that in the long term will undermine the public’s ability to benefit from private investments in solar and battery storage. by Vaughan Woodruff, president of Insource Renewables in Pittsfield and chair of the Committee on Renewable Energy, the trade association for Maine-based solar contractors Portland Press Herald op-ed PITTSFIELD — The Read More
Senator Collins Joins with Senator King to Reject Scott Pruitt as EPA Chief
Statement of Lisa Pohlmann, Executive Director, Natural Resources Council of Maine We applaud Senator Collins and Senator King for announcing their opposition to the confirmation of Scott Pruitt for EPA Administrator. Thousands of Mainers—including leading scientists, doctors, lobstermen, and constituents from around the state—expressed opposition and alarm to a Pruitt-led EPA. We are grateful that Read More
‘I Will Vote No’ — Susan Collins Says She’ll Oppose Scott Pruitt to Lead the EPA
by Susan Sharon Maine Things Considered news story After careful consideration, Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins of Maine says she will oppose the confirmation of Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt to lead the Environmental Protection Agency. Collins tells Maine Public Radio she met at length with Pruitt and reviewed testimony from his confirmation hearing. She Read More
EPA Nominee Scott Pruitt Does Not Reflect Maine Values on the Environment
Sen. Susan Collins should join Sen. Angus King in pledging to reject Pruitt to head the Environmental Protection Agency. By Bill Houston Portland Press Herald op-ed KINGFIELD — Mainers hold clean air and water near and dear to their hearts. As a lifelong Mainer who trains young men and women to become outdoor leaders, I Read More
Maine Regulators Approve Rolling Back Solar Credits
by Michael Shepherd Bangor Daily News news article AUGUSTA, Maine — It didn’t go far enough for Gov. Paul LePage, but Maine utility regulators rankled advocates on Tuesday when they rolled back a policy allowing homeowners with solar panels to be credited for excess power sold to the grid. The move was opposed by pro-solar Read More
PUC Approves Revised Solar Power Incentives
by Fred Bever Maine Public news story State regulators Tuesday approved new rules for the incentives received by Maine residents who install solar-power systems. The Public Utilities Commission’s plan won’t take effect until next year, and in the meantime, the latest action is getting a thumbs down from lawmakers and solar advocates who support strong Read More
Maine Regulators Seek Middle Ground in Residential Solar Incentives
by Tux Turkel, staff writer Portland Press Herald news story Solar installers decry the new PUC rule, foreshadowing a fresh fight in the Legislature. HALLOWELL — Homeowners with solar-electric panels would be compensated for the power they produce at a full retail rate for 15 years, but those who wait until 2018 and a period Read More
It’s Possible to Reduce Carbon Emissions Without Sacrificing Economic Growth
By Tom Tietenberg, Special to the BDN Bangor Daily News op-ed In 2005, Maine and eight other northeastern and mid-Atlantic states banded together to create the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative to reduce carbon emissions. The initiative is a form of carbon pricing. It sets an annual cap on the total amount of carbon dioxide emissions Read More