By Mal Leary MPBN news story AUGUSTA, Maine – A renewed effort to overhaul Maine’s mining regulations is re-igniting a fierce debate in Augusta, where lawmakers are considering the Department of Environmental Protection’s plan. A crowd of mostly opponents filled two legislative hearing rooms for a public hearing on Wednesday. But first, there was a 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.
NRCM Testimony in Opposition to LD 146, Resolve, Regarding Legislative Review of Chapter 200: Metallic Mineral Exploration, Advanced Exploration and Mining, a Major Substantive Rule of the DEP
Senator Saviello, Representative Welsh, and members of the Environment and Natural Resources Committee: My name is Nick Bennett, and I am the staff scientist for the Natural Resources Council of Maine. I reside in Hallowell. I am testifying in opposition to LD 146. NRCM believes these proposed rules will not protect Maine’s environment or Maine Read More
Maine Digs In to Review Mining Rules in Fight Over Remote Mountain
Canadian conglomerate faces off against environmentalists, tourism industry; compromise appears possible by Jon Kamp Wall Street Journal news story Closely held Irving, the state’s largest landowner, was the main driver behind a 2012 law that directed state regulators to replace 1991 mining rules, lawmakers say. The law’s proponents, including Republican Gov. Paul LePage, blame the Read More
Maine Lawmakers Take New Look at Mining Rules Their Predecessors Rejected
By Christopher Cousins, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story AUGUSTA, Maine — Rules for large-scale mining in Maine that failed last year are coming back to the Legislature this week despite familiar objections from the environmental community. The Legislature’s Environment and Natural Resources Committee is expecting a heavy turnout Wednesday when it hears public Read More
Maine’s Ocean Acidification Panel Calls for Action to Address Threat
by Ramona du Houx Maine Insights news story The Commission to Study the Effects of Coastal and Ocean Acidification on Commercially Harvested and Grown Species presented its report to the public and unveiled four proposals for the current legislative session that are a result of the panel’s work. “Maine is taking the lead on ocean Read More
Bill to Ban Microbeads in Maine Backed by Both Sides
In a rare alignment, manufacturers and environmentalists join to help the measure sail easily through committee. By Kevin Miller, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story A bill that would ban soaps, shampoos and other consumer products containing tiny plastic “microbeads” in Maine sailed through a legislative committee Wednesday after manufacturers and environmentalists made a Read More
Support of LD 85, An Act to Prohibit Synthetic Plastic Microbeads in Personal Care Products and Over-the-counter Drugs
Senator Saviello, Representative Welsh, and members of the Joint Standing Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, my name is Sarah Lakeman and I am the Sustainable Maine Policy Advocate for the Natural Resources Council of Maine. I appreciate this opportunity to testify in support of LD 85. There is a strong case for phasing out Read More
Environmental Advocates Push Solar, Energy Efficiency Bills
Associated Press news story AUGUSTA (AP) — Environmental advocates called on the divided Maine Legislature on Thursday to back a series of bill this session they say will expand the use of solar power, help residents cut their heating bills and bolster wildlife protections. The six-bill package outlined by the Environmental Priorities Coalition includes measures Read More
Land, Water, Wildlife to Get Attention from Maine Legislature
This session’s bills address such issues as mining rules, ‘microbeads,’ pesticides, bear hunting, lake protection and disposable plastic bags. By Kevin Miller, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story State lawmakers will grapple with a mix of old and new environmental issues this legislative session, taking up measures that range from a renewed push to Read More
