Good afternoon Sen. Nutting, Rep. Pieh and Members of the Committee. I am Matt Prindiville, Clean Production Project Director for the Natural Resources Council of Maine. Cathy Johnson, our North Woods Project Director, unfortunately, could not be here today as she is out of town. NRCM has been involved in the revision of LURC’s Comprehensive 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 Board of Environmental Protection Hears from Moms, Doctors, Scientists, and Activists
Large Crowd Speaks Out Against Toxic Chemicals in Consumer Products NRCM and its partners in the Alliance for a Clean and Healthy Maine (AUGUSTA) The latest stop on the train carrying Maine’s Kid-Safe Products Law to full implementation was the Board of Environmental Protection (BEP) – a group that seldom sees large crowds at its Read More
Maine Governor Signs First-in-the-nation Law to Require Manufacturers to Recycle Mercury-containing Light Bulbs
New law protects families and the environment; Saves taxpayer money News release AUGUSTA – Today, Governor Baldacci signed a new first-in-the-nation law to help reduce mercury pollution by requiring compact fluorescent light bulb manufacturers to share the costs and responsibility for recycling their mercury-containing bulbs. Similar bills are now pending in MA, VT, and CA. Read More
Maine House Unanimously Passes An Act Regarding Maine’s Energy Future, 137-0
NRCM news release Today the Maine House voted 137-0 to pass “An Act Regarding Maine’s Energy Future.” The bill was drafted by a joint select committee created this session by Speaker Hannah Pingree and Senate President Libby Mitchell. The bill sets ambitious goals to weatherize 100% of Maine residences and half of Maine businesses by Read More
Bipartisan Elected Leaders Rally for Land for Maine’s Future
News release AUGUSTA – In a broad display of bipartisan support, legislative leaders joined citizens, sportsmen, conservationists, farmers, businesses, and community leaders to encourage the Legislature to replenish the Land for Maine’s Future (LMF) program. Led by Sen. Bill Diamond (D-Windham), nearly 85 like-minded legislators co-sponsored LD 684, which would allocate $87.5 million over four Read More
Maine Legislature Passes Law that Sets Energy Efficient Building Standards for New Homes
News release Today, by a vote of 20-15, the Maine Senate approved legislation (already passed by the House 78-58) to establish building standards to reduce fuel consumption in new homes. Maine joins 40 other states with statewide energy efficiency standards for new homes. Maine’s new law has several elements that make it better than just Read More
Maine Legislature Votes to Ban Toxic Deca Flame Retardant
News release Today the Maine Senate voted 29-5 (with one abstention) to support LD 1658, a bill that would phase out the toxic flame retardant known as “deca,” in favor of safer alternatives. The bill, An Act to Protect Pregnant Women and Children from Toxic Chemicals Released into the Home, sponsored by Representative Hannah Pingree Read More
Governor Baldacci Announces Major Global Warming Bill
Will Seek Legislative Authorization for Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Governor Baldacci announced today that he will submit to the Legislature a bill that will reduce global warming pollution from power plants by 30%. The bill will authorize Maine to formally join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a 10-state agreement to put mandatory limits on Read More
Maine Governor Signs Two First-In-Nation Laws To Reduce Mercury Pollution
New Laws Will Recycle Mercury Thermostats, Ban Sale of Mercury Button Cell Batteries NRCM news release AUGUSTA, MAINE – At noon today, Maine Governor John Baldacci signed into law two new precedent-setting measures that will reduce mercury pollution. One of the laws requires manufacturers to provide the nation’s first financial incentive to recycle building thermostats Read More
