By Anthony Brino, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story A key legislative committee this week could advance a mining bill backed by the Natural Resources Council of Maine that would ban large open pit metal mines and impoundments of mine waste. Members of the state Legislature’s Joint Environment and Natural Resources Committee spent three Read More
Maine Legislature
The Natural Resources Council of Maine reviews every bill being considered by the Maine Legislature to determine which ones deserve support and which ones should be opposed based on their potential impact on Maine’s environment. Read more about the bills we are following and taking action on.
Maine House Passes Bill to Discourage Use of Plastic Bags
But critics contend that even the watered-down bill is unnecessary because municipalities can already adopt ordinances regulating plastic bags. by Kevin Miller, staff writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — House lawmakers passed a bill Thursday that aims to decrease the use of disposable plastic bags and foam food containers but that opponents dismissed Read More
Opposition to LD 1040, An Act Regarding Permitting Under the Natural Resources Protection Act
Senator Saviello, Representative Tucker, and members of the Environment and Natural Resources Committee: My name is Nick Bennett, and I reside in Hallowell. I am the Staff Scientist for the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM). NRCM is Maine’s largest environmental advocacy group with more than 20,000 members and supporters. NRCM strongly opposes LD 1040, Read More
Fixing Maine’s Solar Policy
by Peter Simmons of Brunswick Times Record op-ed The ongoing dispute between Governor LePage and solar advocates over energy policy deserves serious consideration and demands swift resolution. Although the Governor believes that solar power raises the cost of electricity and incentives only benefit the wealthy, a wisely designed solar policy will lower costs, result in Read More
Solar Advocates Petition PUC to Reconsider Net Metering Decision
The filing is regarded as a likely precursor to a potential court challenge of the Maine Public Utilities Commission that changed the financial incentives for solar energy customers. by Kevin Miller, staff writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA – A coalition of organizations and businesses are petitioning the Maine Public Utilities Commission to reconsider Read More
Dozens Fight Back Over Maine’s Proposed Mining Rules
By Anthony Brino, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story Dozens of Mainers showed up in Augusta on the first day of spring with a familiar message for members of the Legislature: open pit metal mining is too risky for Maine. More than 40 citizens, plus additional representatives from environmental groups, voiced their opposition to Read More
Lawmakers to Revisit Maine’s Rules for Mining
Proposals range from easing environmental regulations to enacting a ban on metal mining. by Kevin Miller, staff writer Portland Press Herald news story The years-long debate over mining in Maine will return to the State House on Monday when lawmakers consider proposals to either rewrite the state’s environmental regulations or enact a total ban on Read More
Proposed Maine Mining Rules Draw Criticism, Support at Hearing
by Steve Mistler Maine Public news story The issue of metal mining in Maine and how it should be regulated has been debated numerous times in the Legislature, but never settled. Environmentalists and residents of Aroostook County converged on the State House Monday for another go. Lawmakers are reviewing seven different bills. One contains provisional Read More
Bill to Expand Solar Incentives in Maine Ready to Launch
Two frontrunners intend to enhance solar incentives, and could supersede recent changes from the state’s utilities commission. by Tux Turkel, staff writer Portland Press Herald news story The near-term future of rooftop solar energy in Maine is likely to be decided this spring, as lawmakers consider changes to a widely criticized rule approved in January Read More
