http://www.nrcm.org/rss.asp?f=5 NRCM Washington Watch bdimond@nrcm.orgTue, 09 Feb 2010 08:08:11 EDTFuzzyRSS 1.0.1 http://www.nrcm.org/news_detail.asp?news=3482The president announced three measures aimed at boosting production of biofuels and reducing U.S. dependence on foreign oil. The details were later presented to reporters via a telephone conference by several Obama cabinet members, including Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. "I think we are sending a very positive, very specfic, very direct message that the Obama-Biden adminstration i...bdimond@nrcm.orgWed, 03 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EDT http://www.nrcm.org/news_detail.asp?news=3468PORTLAND — We humans are part of creation but not masters of it. The idea that we can count on the planetary system to support us as we continue to pour greenhouse gases into the atmosphere is no longer viable.Climatologists are documenting an Earth which is warming faster than expected, and there is growing apprehension that the intricate web of life which supports our human endeavor is unr...bdimond@nrcm.orgThu, 28 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EDT http://www.nrcm.org/news_detail.asp?news=3473A new report released today by the National Wildlife Federation confirms what some have been saying for several years:  that the Northeast and Maine will experience more thin ice, shorter ski seasons and a decline in species such as moose and lynx as climate change takes its toll. Environmental groups in Maine are calling for more investments in energy efficiency and alternative energy t...bdimond@nrcm.orgThu, 28 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EDT http://www.nrcm.org/news_detail.asp?news=3461ORLAND — People across the country are struggling to find and keep jobs due to what many have deemed the worst economy since the Great Depression.Here in Maine, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the statewide unemployment rate for September was 8.5 percent. And although this is significantly less than the national average, roughly 20,300 fewer people across the state are empl...bdimond@nrcm.orgTue, 26 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EDT http://www.nrcm.org/news_detail.asp?news=3463Alaska Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski is going to jeopardize the health and safety of Maine residents. Murkowski intends to pass a Senate resolution that could block the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, from doing its job.The EPA has officially determined that greenhouse gases “threaten the public health and welfare of current and future generations.” Therefore, it is the responsi...bdimond@nrcm.orgTue, 26 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EDT http://www.nrcm.org/news_detail.asp?news=3416WASHINGTON — The Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday proposed a stricter standard for smog-causing pollutants that would bring substantial health benefits to millions of Americans while imposing large costs on industry and local governments.The standard would replace one set by the Bush administration in March 2008, which has been challenged in court by state officials and environmen...bdimond@nrcm.orgThu, 07 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EDT http://www.nrcm.org/news_detail.asp?news=3393“Today, Representative Pingree is moving forward to ensure Maine families and wildlife are protected from preventable diseases caused by the toxic chemical, deca-BDE.  The sooner this bill is adopted by Congress, the sooner our children’s health will be protected.“The scientific evidence is clear. Deca threatens childhood brain development, and can cause or contribute to lea...bdimond@nrcm.orgFri, 18 Dec 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.nrcm.org/news_detail.asp?news=3396Maine Congresswoman Chellie Pingree says she'll push ahead with legislation she introduced in the House this week to ban a toxic flame retardant, despite an 11th hour offer from a number of chemical companies to voluntarily phase out the use of deca-bromine in their products. Pingree says she'll press forward with the bill because voluntary chemical bans in the past have not always worked out as p...bdimond@nrcm.orgFri, 18 Dec 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.nrcm.org/news_detail.asp?news=3387CUMBERLAND — Current controversy over leaked e-mails regarding the state of climate change has led the public and decision-makers to question the importance of energy policies moving through U.S. Congress.However, it is critical that we realize that this legislation is about so much more than climate change – it is about our economy: saving money and creating jobs.Instead of questionin...bdimond@nrcm.orgWed, 16 Dec 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.nrcm.org/news_detail.asp?news=3373Dear Santa,I know this is a busy time of year for you and most of your letters come from children rather than their parents, but I am compelled to write to you, because there is something I really want for Christmas — a healthy future for my family.It turns out that coal isn’t the worst thing children can get in their stockings. Children’s toys, clothes, jewelry and electronics c...bdimond@nrcm.orgFri, 04 Dec 2009 00:00:00 EDT