http://www.nrcm.org/rss.asp?f=6 NRCM State House Watch bdimond@nrcm.orgFri, 03 Sep 2010 03:21:56 EDTFuzzyRSS 1.0.1 http://www.nrcm.org/news_detail.asp?news=3806AUGUSTA, Maine — State forestry officials signed an emergency order on Wednesday banning the importation of untreated firewood into Maine as part of a stepped-up campaign to prevent the spread of invasive pests wreaking havoc in other parts of the country and Canada.As part of an educational campaign for the final weeks of camping season, state forest rangers will offer a free firewood excha...bdimond@nrcm.orgThu, 02 Sep 2010 00:00:00 EDT http://www.nrcm.org/news_detail.asp?news=3802As a scheduled speaker at the Bureau of Environmental Protection hearing on Aug. 19 about the safety of bisphenol-A, I was amazed that industry lawyers could speak for 25 minutes, but citizens were limited to five minutes. I was timed out before I could speak, so I am sharing my remarks through this column.Those of us at the hearing heard a lot of references to “science,” but very litt...bdimond@nrcm.orgSun, 29 Aug 2010 00:00:00 EDT http://www.nrcm.org/news_detail.asp?news=3801The Maine Board of Environmental Protection held a hearing on Aug. 19 concerning a proposed ban on the chemical bisphenol A (also known as BPA) in children’s products and is taking public comments on the issue until Aug. 30. The hearing was followed by a column from Jeff Stier, an attorney with the American Council on Science and Health, “Opponents use scare tactics against BPA” ...bdimond@nrcm.orgSat, 28 Aug 2010 00:00:00 EDT http://www.nrcm.org/news_detail.asp?news=3790AUGUSTA -- Cheryl Denis of Portland is worried about the health of her two young girls.Comments on this issue will be accepted by the state through 5 p.m. Aug. 30. To find out more about the board, go to: www.maine.gov/dep/bep/index.htmShe testified Thursday before the state's Board of Environmental Protection in support of proposed rules to ban the sale of baby bottles, sippy cups and sports bott...bdimond@nrcm.orgFri, 20 Aug 2010 00:00:00 EDT http://www.nrcm.org/news_detail.asp?news=3795This afternoon, the Maine Board of Environmental Protection took public testimony on a proposal to ban the sale of baby bottles and other reusable food and beverage containers made with the chemical bisphenol-A. Representatives from the toy, canning and grocery industry said the ban goes too far. Supporters of the ban said that it could go even further.     More than 50 pe...bdimond@nrcm.orgThu, 19 Aug 2010 00:00:00 EDT http://www.nrcm.org/news_detail.asp?news=3787AUGUSTA, Maine — Maine environmental regulators are considering a proposal to ban the chemical bisphenol-A from baby bottles, sippy cups, water bottles and other reusable food and beverage containers.The Board of Environmental Protection is expected to hear testimony from parents, scientists, doctors, business owners and environmental health advocates at its hearing Thursday in Augusta. They...bdimond@nrcm.orgThu, 19 Aug 2010 00:00:00 EDT http://www.nrcm.org/news_detail.asp?news=3789Augusta — Calling bisphenol A (BPA) one of the “worst-of-the-worst” toxic chemicals in consumer products, a large crowd of parents, scientists, doctors, nurses, business owners, and environmental health advocates expressed a resounding show of support at the Thursday, Aug. 19, hearing regarding the Department of Environmental Protection’s proposal to name BPA as Maine&#8217...bdimond@nrcm.orgThu, 19 Aug 2010 00:00:00 EDT http://www.nrcm.org/news_detail.asp?news=3808Chair Lessard, members of the Board.  My name is Matt Prindiville and I’m the Clean Production Project Director for the Natural Resources Council of Maine.  NRCM testifies in support of the proposed rule.  I know you’ve had a long day so I promise to brief and to the point.  I’ve attached a timeline from the Environmental Working Group which outlines the basic...bdimond@nrcm.orgThu, 19 Aug 2010 00:00:00 EDT http://www.nrcm.org/news_detail.asp?news=3777In 2008, the state of Maine became a leader in safe chemicals legislation when it passed the Maine Kid-Safe Products Act, a law that aimed to protect children and babies from toxic chemicals in consumer products. As part of this law, the state pledged to identify two hazardous substances each year — called priority chemicals — and phase them out of products intended for children.On Aug...bdimond@nrcm.orgThu, 12 Aug 2010 00:00:00 EDT http://www.nrcm.org/news_detail.asp?news=3781Environmental activists today released a report detailing the harmful effects of the chemical Bisphenol A, or BPA, which is found in some plastic materials and food containers, including infant formula cans. Laura Stevens from the Toxic Action Center, staged a press conference in downtown Portland this morning to gather support for a statewide ban on BPA.The latest report, she says, is a comp...bdimond@nrcm.orgWed, 11 Aug 2010 00:00:00 EDT