Comments of Lisa Pohlmann, Natural Resources Council of Maine Executive Director We again would like to congratulate the City Council for its diligent and transparent management of this process. Protecting the health and well-being of the people of South Portland is an enormous responsibility. Mayor Jalbert: you and the rest of the Council have risen Read More
climate change
Stopping the Tar Sands Pipeline
Tar sands rally on Maine State Pier, January 26, 2013 Tar sands oil is the dirtiest and most climate-destructive form of oil in the world. Extracted from huge open-pit mines in Alberta, Canada, tar sands oil is 20% more carbon intensive than conventional crude oil. When it spills, it is almost impossible to clean up. Read More
Environmental Advocacy Group Pushes for More Offshore Wind Power
AUGUSTA, Maine —There is enormous untapped energy potential just off Maine’s shores, according to a new report by the National Wildlife Federation. That group and other environmental advocates are renewing their push for the development of more offshore wind turbines in Maine. The National Wildlife Federation report is called “Catching the Wind: State Actions Needed Read More
Report: Offshore Wind Power Within Reach for Maine
State Leadership Needed to Benefit Ratepayers, Create Jobs, Cut Pollution News Release by the Natural Resources Council of Maine, National Wildlife Federation, and Environment Maine July 10, 2014 Augusta, ME – More than 1.5 million acres off the Atlantic coast have been designated for offshore wind power development, enough to produce more than 16,000 megawatts Read More
South Portland Council Backs Tar Sands Ban
A proposed ordinance to keep the oil from entering the city passes its first hurdle in a 6-1 vote after 500 people pack a meeting to listen to the debate. By Kelley Bouchard, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story SOUTH PORTLAND — The City Council overwhelmingly approved a first reading Wednesday night of a Read More
At the Maine Moose Permit Lottery
by NRCM member Alice Bolstridge The headline of a recent Bangor Daily News article reads “Maine to reduce moose hunt permits by 25 percent because winter ticks have taken toll on herd.” I had no idea that ticks have already had such a toll on Maine’s moose. I had heard about declining moose populations in New Read More
New EPA Rules Follow Maine’s Lead on Environment
By U.S. Sen. Angus King, I-Maine Foster’s Daily Democrat op-ed Imagine you’re at the table on Thanksgiving Day with your family and one of your relatives snatches up the whole turkey and says, “Thanks, this is all mine!” without any consideration for the rest of your family. Hard to imagine because it wouldn’t happen, right? Read More
Proposed Tar Sands Ban Gets Standing Ovation in South Portland
But others say the plan would hurt the city’s marine terminals. The council is scheduled to vote July 7. By Kelley Bouchard Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story SOUTH PORTLAND — The auditorium at Mahoney Middle School rocked Wednesday night with a standing ovation and cheers for a proposal that would block tar sands Read More
Testimony to the South Portland City Council Regarding the South Portland Clear Skies Ordinance
I am here today representing the members and supporters of the Natural Resources Council of Maine, especially those who reside in South Portland. NRCM was founded by Maine people exactly 55 years ago today, and is the state’s leading environmental advocacy group, representing more than 16,000 members and supporters. I would like to commend the Read More