It’s time the state realizes this would be the surest path to environmental and economic degradation. By Chris Buchanan, Special to the Press Herald Portland Press Herald op-ed BELGRADE — The proposed east-west transportation, communications and utility corridor has raised important questions regarding the state’s transportation policy. Two bills have been introduced by Maine legislators to ensure 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.
Lawmaker Proposes Moratorium on Mining in Maine
by A.J. Higgins MPBN news story AUGUSTA, Maine – An ongoing debate about regulation of large-scale mining in Maine is now in its third year. After lawmakers rejected mining regulations advanced by the state Department of Environmental Protection last year, the agency opted to resubmit the same rules in February. Now one lawmaker has advanced Read More
Mistake in Efficiency Law Will Cost Mainers $250 Million in Higher Energy Bills if Not Corrected Swiftly
Hundreds of Energy Jobs Also at Risk NRCM news release Augusta, ME —Businesses and energy experts gathered today to inform Mainers that a one-word typographical error in the omnibus energy law passed in 2013 will cost Maine energy consumers $250 million if not corrected by the Legislature or the Public Utilities Commission (PUC). The missing Read More
Maine Lawmakers Hear Opposing Arguments on Bills to Charge for Disposable Bags
Supporters of three similar proposals say they reduce waste and pollution, while opponents say they add a burden on consumers and retailers. By Kevin Miller, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — Lawmakers heard lengthy testimony Monday on bills that would make Maine the latest state to charge consumers for disposable plastic bags. Read More
NRCM Testimony on Three Single-use Plastic Disposable Bag Bills
NRCM Testimony Regarding: An Act To Strengthen Recycling of Single-use Plastic Shopping Bags (LD 325); An Act To Encourage the Use of Alternatives to Single-use Plastic Disposable Bags (LD 396); and An Act To Reduce Waste from Disposable Bags (LD 680) Senator Saviello, Representative Welsh, and members of the Joint Standing Committee on Environment and Read More
Lawmakers Should Fix the Missing ‘And’ So Energy Efficiency Work is Not Cut Back
By The BDN Editorial Board Bangor Daily News editorial At $12 million per letter, a missing “and” in a state law has proven an expensive error now that the state Public Utilities Commission used inadvertently flawed statutory language to cut funding for Maine’s energy efficiency work by $36 million. The PUC earlier this week took Read More
For Efficiency Maine, the Word ‘And’ Made a $38 Million Difference
Lawmakers slam the state Public Utilities Commission for not considering ‘legislator intent’ in a decision that will cut funding for the energy efficiency program. By Kevin Miller and Steve Mistler, Staff Writers Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — One missing word in the Legislature’s 2013 energy law will reduce funding for energy efficiency programs Read More
Maine PUC Votes to Limit Energy Efficiency Savings for Maine Residents and Businesses
LePage Appointees Vote to Ignore and Subvert Legislative Intent News release Augusta, ME – In a surprising and unfortunate development, Mainers will be paying higher electric bills because the Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) today voted (2-1) to severely limit funding for energy efficiency programs that reduce electricity costs for Maine homes and businesses, despite Read More
Lawmakers Question Plan for More Logging on Maine’s State-owned Land
The adminstration’s plans for an increased timber harvest and reorganized land management get a cool reception from a legislative committee. By Kevin Miller, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — Lawmakers grilled a LePage administration official Tuesday about plans to substantially increase logging of state-owned lands and reorganize the department that oversees Maine’s Read More
