By Michael Shepherd, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story AUGUSTA, Maine — A compromise bill that would allow mining in Maine with strict environmental protections sailed easily through the state House of Representatives on Thursday, putting it on a smooth path toward final passage in the Legislature. It could end the five-year struggle over Read More
State House Watch
Working for legislation to protect Maine’s environment is an essential part of NRCM’s mission for the people of Maine. During the legislative session, we are at the Maine State House, just a block from our office, to work for new safeguards and also to defend existing legislation that protects Maine’s land, air, water, and wildlife.
Lewiston Liquor Bottler Warns Ending “Nips” Sales Would Have “Drastic Impact” on Company
A letter from the Sazerac Co. CEO suggests Gov. LePage’s threat to end sales of 50-milliliter bottles – not a proposed 5-cent bottle deposit – would harm his company and the state. by Kevin Miller, staff writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA – The head of a Lewiston liquor bottler withdrew his support for Read More
LePage Threatens to Veto Deposit on “Nips,” Remove Them from Maine Stores
The governor responds to a bill, likely headed for his desk, that would add the miniature liquor bottles to the state’s bottle deposit bill to reduce littering. by Kevin Miller, staff writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage vowed Tuesday to veto a bipartisan bill that would impose a 5-cent deposit Read More
Now is the Right Time for Solar
People who invest now will begin saving hundreds of dollars. by John Reuthe and Sustain Mid Maine Coalition’s Energy Team Central Maine newspapers op-ed Around the country, the use of solar power has been growing by leaps and bounds. In states like Massachusetts and California, solar is sold door to door, and it is as Read More
Katahdin Woods Monument’s Former Opponents Want Trump, LePage to Back Off
Some believe the federal review ordered by President Trump could have a negative effect on the area’s economy. by David Sharp, Associated Press Portland Press Herald news story Several former opponents of the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument are now asking President Trump and Gov. Paul LePage to let it be. The national monument Read More
LePage Refused to Acknowledge National Monument’s Positive Impact
By Richard Schmidt, Special to the BDN Bangor Daily News op-ed Last week, I was sitting behind Gov. Paul LePage when he testified at the House Subcommittee on Federal Lands hearing featuring the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. Our governor’s representation of inland, rural, and northern Maine as nothing more than a clear-cut, mosquito-infested Read More
Maine House Strongly Supports Putting Deposit on Miniature Liquor Bottles
By Mal Leary Maine Public news story For decades Maine has had a bottle redemption system for soda, beer and liquor bottles to encourage recycling and prevent littering of those containers. Now the Maine House has voted to expand the deposit law to include small liquor bottles called nips. Rep. Richard Campbell, a Republican from Read More
Bill to Add Bottle Deposit to “Nips” Advances
The legislation to charge a refundable 5-cent deposit on miniature liquor bottles is aimed at reducing roadside litter. By Kevin Miller, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — A bill that would impose a 5-cent deposit on the miniature liquor bottles known as “nips” advanced in the Legislature on Tuesday. Touted as a Read More
NRCM Statement on Unanimous Maine Senate Vote for New Protective Mining Law for Maine
Statement of Nick Bennett, Staff Scientist, Natural Resources Council of Maine “NRCM is grateful for today’s unanimous vote in the Maine Senate for a mining bill that will protect Maine’s clean water and taxpayers from the risks of irresponsible mining. “This strong bipartisan bill is the culmination of five years of effort by lawmakers and Read More
