An extensive inquiry by the LePage administration recommends minor fixes to the popular program but finds nothing to suggest that it is ‘corrupt.’ Portland Press Herald editorial Of all the insults Gov. LePage has leveled at the Land for Maine’s Future program, the most damaging and accusatory is that it is “corrupt” – not a 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.
Solar Power’s Growth Calls for New System
A compromise between solar users, regulators and utilities could head off a costly fight in Maine. By The Editorial Board Portland Press Herald editorial There’s a battle going on between big polluters and a growing solar energy industry that is being fought in state capitals across the nation. Nevada, Hawaii, Oklahoma and other states have scaled Read More
Bill to Revive Land for Maine’s Future Bonds Heads to LePage’s Desk
The bill would reauthorize, for five years, $6.5 million in bonds that expired last fall while Gov. Paul LePage used them as leverage with lawmakers. By Kevin Miller, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — The Legislature unanimously approved a bill Thursday that revives $6.5 million in bonds for the Land for Maine’s Read More
Landslide House Vote Good Sign for End to Land for Maine’s Future Bond Fight
Portland Press Herald editorial There is only one reason for Gov. LePage to seek a six-month renewal of now-expired Land for Maine’s Future bonds, and that’s to gain leverage to continue a fight that has left almost everyone else exasperated. So after several years of fending off the governor’s attempts to turn the popular conservation Read More
Maine House Votes to Renew $6.5 Million in Conservation Bonds
By A.J. Higgins MPBN news story AUGUSTA, Maine — After some last minute wrangling, the Maine House voted to give all but final approval to $6.5 million in land conservation bonds that expired last fall. The vote was unanimous. A plan agreed to last week by the House, Senate and the governor gave the state Read More
Maine House Unanimously Backs Bond Bill Despite LePage Pressure
by Michael Shepherd, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story AUGUSTA, Maine — A bill to revive $6.5 million in expired conservation bonds sailed unanimously through the Maine House of Representatives on Tuesday, despite Gov. Paul LePage’s desire for a shorter sunset provision. The bipartisan deal was struck last week between legislative leaders. However, just Read More
NRCM Says Energy Bill Would Cost Businesses $100M
Mainebiz news story The Natural Resources Council of Maine is opposing a bill before the Legislature that it said would effectively raise energy costs for businesses by $100 million and gut efficiency efforts. Dylan Voorhees, clean energy project director at NRCM, testified in a public hearing Thursday that Gov. Paul LePage’s bill, LD 1398, “An Read More
LePage’s Opposition on Conservation Program Begins in Augusta’s Backyard
The governor has released $11.5 million in Land for Maine’s Future bonds, but some conservationists fear his efforts to scuttle the Howard Hill project are not over. By Kevin Miller, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story The epicenter of the political brawl over the Land for Maine’s Future program literally looms behind the State Read More
LePage is Backing Down on Land for Maine’s Future. Celebrate with Caution
By The BDN Editorial Board Supporters of the Land for Maine’s Future program can breathe a sigh of relief. They can celebrate, but with cautious optimism. We were pleased to see Gov. Paul LePage on Monday back down from his refusal to release $11.5 million in bonds voters authorized in 2010 and 2012 for a Read More
