News release by Don’t Waste ME, Community Action Works, and the Natural Resources Council of Maine February 7, 2022 (Augusta, ME) – A bill to stop filling Maine’s landfills with out-of-state waste received a key endorsement today when a bipartisan majority of the Legislature’s Environment & Natural Resources Committee voted 11-2* in favor. LD 1639 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 1902, Resolve, To Establish a Pilot Program To Encourage Climate Education in Maine Public Schools
Senator Rafferty, Representative Brennan, distinguished members of the Committe on Education and Cultural Affairs. 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 1902: A Resolve, To Establish a Pilot Program To Encourage Climate Education Read More
Support of LD 736, An Act to Enhance Maine’s Ecological Reserve System
Senator Dill, Representative O’Neil, and Members of the Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry Committee, I am Melanie Sturm, Forests and Wildlife Director at the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM). I am testifying in support of LD 736, as proposed to be amended by the sponsor. This bill would play a significant role in helping Maine Read More
Support of LD 1911, An Act to Prohibit the Contamination of Clean Soils with So-called Forever Chemicals
Senator Brenner, Representative Tucker, and members of the Joint Standing Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, my name is Sarah Nichols, and I am the Sustainable Maine Director for the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM). I appreciate this opportunity to testify in support of LD 1911, and we urge the Committee to continue its Read More
New Year, New ME
Every January, it’s tradition to come up with a list of goals for the next 12 months. I’ve never liked New Year’s resolutions. Every year I feel as though the ones set are either too ambitious or not ambitious enough. This year, however, I think I’ve figured it out. These goals are not only achievable, but Read More
Support Mac Hunter for Appointment to LMF Board
Dear Senator Dill, Representative O’Neil, and Members of the Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry Committee, I’m Melanie Sturm, Forests and Wildlife Program Director at the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM). I’m providing testimony in support of Dr. Mac Hunter to serve on the Land for Maine’s Future (LMF) Board. We enthusiastically support Dr. Hunter’s nomination Read More
Support of LD 1801, An Act To Modify Exemptions for Certain Storm Water Discharges to Class AA and SA Waters
Senator Brenner, Representative Tucker, 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 (NRCM). NRCM is Maine’s largest environmental advocacy group with more that 25,000 members and supporters. I reside in Hallowell. I am testifying in support Read More
Maine Should Not Be New England’s Dumping Ground
This is an old familiar tale of wealthy corporations exploiting Maine’s laws and natural resources in pursuit of profit, and the underrepresented people who are being affected banding together and fighting back. The setting for this story is Maine’s State-owned Juniper Ridge Landfill (JRL) in Old Town/Alton; its protagonists are the working-class people living adjacent Read More
Code Red for the Climate Demands New Behavior by CMP
On the same day that the Portland Press Herald reported about an alarming new climate study that has been called “code red for humanity,” it also carried a front-page story about Central Maine Power’s (CMP) continued failure to help solar energy projects connect with the electrical grid as part of Maine’s response to climate change. The contrast could not be Read More
