Close your eyes, and think about what climate and clean energy policy looks like. When we picture climate action, we often think of things like solar panels or electric vehicles. Rightly so, since clean energy and electrifying our transportation system are critically important to hitting our climate goals. But climate action goes way beyond wind 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.
Support of LD 1964, An Act To Update Certain Water Quality Standards and To Reclassify Certain Waters of the State
Senator Brenner, Representative Tucker, and Members of the ENR Committee: My name is Nick Bennett, and I am the staff scientist for the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM), which is Maine’s largest environmental advocacy group with more than 25,000 members and supporters. I am testifying in support of LD 1964. Both Maine and federal Read More
Support of LD 1974, An Act To Establish and Fund the Maine Climate Corps Program
Senator Brenner, Representative Tucker, distinguished members of the Committe on Environment and Natural Resources. My name is Josh Caldwell. I am the Climate and Clean Energy Outreach Coordinator at the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM), and I am testifying today in support of LD 1974, An Act To Establish and Fund the Maine Climate Corps Program Read More
LD 1959, Ensure Transmission & Distribution Utility Accountability
Senator Lawrence, Representative Berry, and members of the Joint Standing Committee on Energy, Utilities, and Technology, my name is Rebecca Schultz. I am the Senior Advocate for Climate and Clean Energy for the Natural Resources Council of Maine. I am testifying in support of LD 1959, with suggested changes to strengthen the legislation. We believe Read More
Classification Upgrades Protect Maine’s Clean Water
Maine’s clean water is central to our identity, supporting recreation and local businesses, and providing high-quality drinking water to people across the state. Strong federal and state laws are the biggest reasons why Mainers enjoy such clean water. We’re approaching two milestones in 2022 that really reinforce these critical underpinnings of Maine’s clean waters. The Read More
Debunking Claims Made by Companies Profiting Off Maine’s Out-of-state Waste Loophole
This legislative session, a bill (LD 1639) that would close Maine’s out-of-state waste loophole is gaining momentum. You see, Maine’s State-owned Juniper Ridge Landfill (JRL) was never supposed to accept out-of-state waste, and there is no good reason why it should. The State purchased the landfill to provide disposal capacity for Mainers’ waste, not the Read More
Support of LD 906, An Act to Provide Passamaquoddy Tribal Members Access to Clean Water
Senator Carney, Representative Harnett, and Members of the Judiciary Committee: My name is Nick Bennett, and I am the Staff Scientist for the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM). NRCM is Maine’s largest environmental advocacy group with more than 25,000 members and supporters. I am testifying in support of LD 906. For too long, the Read More
The Time is Now for Tribal Sovereignty
The time is now to heal and fix how Maine interacts with the Wabanaki Nations that have existed in our homeland for thousands of years before Maine was a state or the United States of America was a country. The 1980 Maine Indian Land Claims Settlement and Implementing Acts have set up an environment of Read More
Role of Maine’s Ecological Reserves More Critical Than Ever
Did you know that the Mahoosuc ecological reserve is one of only a few places in Maine where Cutler’s goldenrod occurs? This delicate yellow flower is endemic to a naturally scarce habitat type. It is also one of many powerful messengers demonstrating why Maine’s ecological reserve system is so vitally important—and should be expanded. Maine’s Read More
