The Maine Board of Environmental Protection endorsed a major rewrite of mining regulations on Thursday, setting the stage for another legislative debate over the contentious issue.
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.
Critics Say Maine Lawmakers’ ‘Skeleton Bills’ Lack Transparency
Vague one-sentence drafts, totaling close to 100 each legislative session, can be deceptive and exclude the public from important policy discussions, say lawmakers and lobbyists. by Marina Villeneuve Associated Press news story AUGUSTA — With the annual return of legislators to the Maine State House comes the predictable one-sentence draft bills that give an idea Read More
Despite Political Shifts, Solar Decision Expected by Year’s End in Maine
A proposal to limit incentives for homeowners is likely strengthened in wake of state and federal election results. by Tux Turkel, staff writer Portland Press Herald news story Clean-energy advocates in Maine are seeking a path forward to save a controversial financial incentive for rooftop solar panels, following an election that might make it harder Read More
Picking Ourselves Back Up
Today we awoke to the results of a bitter and divisive election, wondering what it all means. The outcome has many of us deeply concerned about whether the harsh rhetoric of the campaign will translate into policies that put our communities and places we love at risk. At a time when we need to be Read More
Crucial Battle Over Solar Panel Incentives Goes to Maine PUC
Many Maine jobs are at stake as a proposal to reduce the credits for power fed to the grid from home rooftops is debated at a hearing. by Tux Turkel, staff writer Portland Press Herald news story Battle lines are being drawn for a fight over the future of rooftop solar energy in Maine, as Read More
LePage Administration Resurrects Plan to Weaken Mining Rules
by Andy O’Brien Free Press news story No metals have been mined in Maine since 1977, according to the Maine Geological Survey, but the LePage administration is hoping to revive the dormant industry if he can elect enough allies to the Legislature this November. Last Thursday, Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) unveiled its third Read More
Hearing on Changing Maine Mining Rules Hits Wall of Opposition
For the third time in three years, a Department of Environmental Protection proposal to rewrite mining regulations finds little support. By Kevin Miller, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — A LePage administration push to rewrite Maine’s mining regulations ran into a wall of opposition Thursday from conservation groups, former state environmental employees Read More
Big Solar Worked to Kill Maine Solar Energy Bill
Fearful that the bill would threaten their business model, national companies took steps that helped LePage and Republicans, at the expense of local solar installers and their Democratic allies. By Tux Turkel, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story The Maine lawmakers who last month defeated a landmark bill that would have expanded solar energy Read More
Solar Energy Bill Extinguished by Lobbying Based on False, Misleading Information
Behind closed doors and in debate, Republican Minority Leader Ken Fredette let the attack on the most significant solar energy measure Maine has ever seen. By Sam Zuckerman, owner, Maine Solar Solutions in Portland Portland Press Herald op-ed April 29th was a dark day for solar energy in Maine. It was the day that an Read More
