I have felt the cold sledgehammer of ice water closing in on my head before—that’s what it felt like to me when I plunged under the icy waters of the Atlantic Ocean at Portland’s East End Beach during the Natural Resources Council of Maine’s (NRCM’s) Polar Plunge in 2009. That was a special occasion; I Read More
climate change
Man Trapped in Polar Bear Costume
To raise awareness about climate change and to help raise funds to address it, one Natural Resources Council of Maine staffer has vowed to stay in a polar bear costume until NRCM reaches its pledge goals: Help us get him out of that costume! Please support our work for clean energy and efficiency by participating in Read More
George Mitchell: Climate Change Skepticism Will “Not Last”
By Seth Koenig, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story PORTLAND, Maine — Former U.S. Senate Majority Leader and world diplomat George Mitchell called upon President Barack Obama — and everyone else who backs stiff environmental protection laws and the science behind climate change — to be bold and persistent in the face of opponents Read More
Lawsuit Challenges Clean Air Act Exemption for Biomass Burners
Clean Air Task Force Washington — Conservation groups filed suit today challenging an Environmental Protection Agency rule that exempts biomass-burning facilities from carbon dioxide limits under the Clean Air Act for the next three years. The Center for Biological Diversity, Conservation Law Foundation, Georgia ForestWatch, Natural Resources Council of Maine, and Wild Virginia are asking Read More
Burning Questions: Some Thoughts on Firewood and the Environment, Part 2
My head is feeling better so I’m back blogging on firewood, picking up where I left off on Part 1 of this theme. Did anyone take a look at the Manomet Report? It concludes that using wood for heat (or for combined heat and electricity generation) is most likely to have a carbon benefit over Read More
Burning Questions: Some Thoughts on Firewood and the Environment, Part I
It’s already the end of July, and my last blog entry was in March. How did that happen? I meant to write a blog on woodcock and how cool they are when they return in the spring and do their courtship displays, but somehow that now seems out of date. Next year. Similarly, I thought I’d write Read More
EPA Announces New Power Plant Pollution Cuts That Will Save Lives and Help Mainers Breathe Easier
Improved Clean Air Standards to Curb Air Pollution that Pours into Maine from States to Our South and West AUGUSTA— Yesterday, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized updated clean air standards that will protect public health by targeting air pollution that crosses state borders and will make it easier for states like Maine to protect Read More
Maine Maple Sunday: A Great Tradition Worth Protecting
March 28 was Maine Maple Sunday, when sugar houses across the state opened their doors to the public and celebrated this wonderful family-friendly tradition with syrup-making demos, music, and products – maple candy, butter, cookies, pancakes, even maple tea, and of course, syrup. Typically, the season runs from February to late March or early April. Read More
500 Maine Businesses Call for Climate Action
by Lisa Pohlmann, NRCM Deputy Director Today more than 500 Maine businesses have come together to send a clear message to Senator Snowe and Senator Collins that now is the time for action on federal climate and energy legislation. They include large businesses such as Oakhurst Dairy, Hannaford Brothers, Verso Paper, and Lee Auto Malls. Read More
