Decisions made in Washington, D.C., have lasting effects on Maine’s clean air and water, our thriving forests and wildlife, and on the health of Maine people, our economy, and our way of life.
The Natural Resources Council of Maine works closely with Maine’s Congressional delegation to advance legislation and policies that will accelerate a clean energy future, expand access to the outdoors, and protect our nation’s wildlife.
In the last few years, NRCM mobilized our supporters to help pass the most significant climate action in U.S. history, secure bipartisan funding for infrastructure, and conserve new public lands. These investments in our future are already benefiting communities and people across the state.
High Stakes for Maine and Its Residents in Lawsuit over Vehicle Pollution
The health of tens of thousands with respiratory illnesses is at risk as the EPA tries to roll back nationwide fuel-efficiency improvements in the years ahead. Portland Press Herald editorial For some Mainers, Wednesday’s balmy weather offered a sneak peek of the joys of summer. But for tens of thousands of others here – senior Read More
Climate Change Policy: Pretend It Doesn’t Exist
As a deep current that normally cools the Gulf of Maine reaches a record-high temperature, the White House escalates its war on science. Portland Press Herald editorial The Trump administration has removed mentions of climate change from federal government websites, yet the air and water continue to warm and sea levels keep rising. Data on Read More
LePage Administration Agrees to Post Signs Directing Drivers to Katahdin Monument
The state had held off on posting signs while the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument was under review by the Trump administration. By Kevin Miller, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — The LePage administration has agreed to allow signs on Interstate 95 and state highways directing drivers to Katahdin Woods and Read More
It is Time for Scott Pruitt to Go as Head of the EPA
Bangor Daily News editorial President Donald Trump has fired numerous Cabinet members, some for good reason, some for no particular reason at all. There is a growing list of reasons why he should fire Scott Pruitt, head of the Environmental Protection Agency. Pruitt’s outright hostility to environmental regulations and his deference to corporate polluters were Read More
18 Months After Its Creation, National Monument in Northern Maine to Get Road Signs
By Susan Sharon Maine Public news story It has been 18 months since former President Barack Obama designated the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument in northern Maine — but there are still no road signs to direct interested visitors where to go or how to get there. Republican Gov. Paul LePage made headlines last Read More
Interior Secretary: Maine Will be “Very Happy” with Report on Oil and Gas Drilling
Secretary Ryan Zinke made the comments during a back-and-forth exchange with U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, who pointed out the strong bipartisan opposition to drilling off coastal Maine. by Kevin Miller, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke said Wednesday that he believes Maine will be “very happy” with a revised proposal Read More
Climate Change Panel Outlines National Security Threats Posed by Rising Sea Levels
Even the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery could be affected by the end of the century, according to a member of the panel moderated by Sen. Angus King. by Dennis Hoey, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story Members of a climate change panel told an audience of about 500 Thursday night that U.S. military Read More
Retired Marine General Sees Climate Change as National Security Threat
By Susan Sharon Maine Public news story A retired Marine general and expert on national security is in Maine Thursday to discuss what he sees as one of the biggest threats to stability: climate change. General John Castellaw says there are currently 32 locations around the world where conflict, aggravated by climate change, is affecting Read More
Maine Could Challenge Expected Rollback of Vehicle Emissions Standards
by Vivian Leigh News Center Maine news story Watch full news video. AUBURN (NEWS CENTER Maine) — The Trump administration is reportedly poised to roll back vehicle emissions standards as early as next Tuesday. Critics say it could cripple efforts to fight climate change. The standards, which were approved during the Obama administration, call for Read More
Senator Susan Collins
413 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
(202) 224-2523
Email Senator Collins
Augusta: (207) 622-8414
Bangor: (207) 945-0417
Biddeford: (207) 283-1101
Caribou: (207) 493-7873
Lewiston: (207) 784-6969
Portland: (207) 618-5560
Senator Angus King
133 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
(202) 224-5344
Email Senator King
Augusta: (207) 622-8292
Bangor: (207) 945-8000
Biddeford: (207) 352-5216
Portland: (207) 245-1565
Presque Isle: (207) 764-5124
Congresswoman Chellie Pingree
2162 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-6116
Email Congresswoman Pingree
Portland: (207) 774-5019
Waterville: (207) 873-5713
Congressman Jared Golden
1223 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-6306
Email Congressman Golden
Bangor office: (207) 249-7400
Caribou office: (207) 492-6009
Lewiston office: (207) 241-6767
Federal Climate & Clean Energy Issues
Bold Climate Action
From our lakeshores to the ocean coastline, the impacts of climate change are already being felt in Maine’s communities and the high costs of oil and gas hitting Mainers’ pocketbooks.
We all value our connection to community and Maine’s natural environment. To stay strong and well prepared for the future, we need to act quickly and boldly on climate.
NRCM partners with Mainers, businesses, and other local organizations to push Congress and the federal government to take ambitious climate action that will create millions of new jobs, deliver home-grown clean energy to power our future, and protect our health.
Working together with our supporters, NRCM has successfully advocated for the largest investment in climate in U.S. history and billions in infrastructure funding to make our communities more resilient. Moving forward, we will continue to hold Congress accountable to their responsibility to accelerate the transition to clean energy to avert the worst impacts of climate change.
The release of Maine’s Climate Action Plan in December 2020 (with an updated Plan released in November 2024) laid out a positive path forward for tackling climate change and growing our economy. Continued federal action on climate will give Maine’s communities the tools and resources they need to advance cost-effective clean energy solutions.
Climate Change and Its Effects on Maine
Maine’s communities are especially vulnerable to the effects of climate change because of our close relationship with the natural environment.
Our coastal communities—vital to our tourism economy—are threatened by increasingly severe storms and sea-level rise while our lakes are seeing increasingly warmer waters.
Extreme weather is straining our public emergency responses and infrastructure.
Learn How Climate Change Impacts:
Federal Water, Land, & Wildlife Issues
Protecting Wildlife
Each species has an important ecological role to play in the web of life. Globally, one million species are at risk of extinction due to climate change, pollution, habitat loss, invasive species, and exploitation.
One tool that has and can continue to help address this biodiversity crisis is the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA). The ESA, signed into law in 1972, has been incredibly successful at protecting species in Maine and across the nation from the brink of extinction.
NRCM is working with national environmental groups to support adequate funding for the ESA and additional funding for wildlife protection through proposals like the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act.
Clean Water
Federal Clean Water Act
NRCM created a badge for organizations to use free of charge to celebrate the Clean Water Act 50th anniversary in 2022.
Clean, healthy waterways are vital to our day-to-day lives, central to our identity, and integral to our future. More than 50 years ago, the magnitude of pollution in the Androscoggin and other Maine rivers reached a tipping point, helping to galvanize passage of the Clean Water Act on October 18, 1972.
Maine's U.S. Senator Edmund Muskie played the critical role in writing and securing passage of this landmark legislation for the nation. In the years since, thanks to the incredible work of countless individuals, organizations, and businesses, Maine’s rivers, lakes, streams, and coastal waters have achieved remarkable progress, which deserves celebration. But we still have additional work to do to ensure clean water for future generations.
In 2022, NRCM joined with partners across Maine to create a statewide celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Clean Water Act that focused on the importance of clean water, strong environmental laws, investment in clean water infrastructure, and committing to continued progress. At a celebration in Lewiston on September 29, 2022, we celebrated 100 Clean Water Champions. Read full remarks by NRCM Advocacy Director Pete Didisheim.
Conserving Land
NRCM and our partners helped pass the Great American Outdoors Act, providing permanent funding for the popular and effective Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). The bill, which was championed by every member of Maine’s Congressional delegation, also provided sorely needed funding to invest in maintenance and upkeep of popular national parks and public lands.
Fully funding LCWF will result in much-needed land conservation, public access improvements, local industry support, and the creation of more outdoor spaces that benefit us all and contribute to a vibrant economy.