Senator Lawrence, Representative Zeigler, members of the Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee, my name is Jack Shapiro, and I am the Climate and Clean Energy Director at the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM). NRCM has been working for more than 60 years to protect, restore, and conserve Maine’s environment on behalf of our 30,000 Read More
public health
Bill Seeks to Reduce Ratepayer Costs and Health Risks Associated with Natural Gas
Office of the Public Advocate | CLF Maine | Natural Resources Council of Maine | Sierra Club Maine Maine’s Public Advocate and Clean Energy Groups Partnering to Tackle the Problem A bill being considered by the Maine Legislature this year seeks to address the looming customer risks associated with utility gas infrastructure expansion, as well as Read More
LD 71, Resolve, Regarding Legislative Review of Chapter 171: Control of Petroleum Storage Facilities
Testimony In Support of LD 71, Resolve, Regarding Legislative Review of Chapter 171: Control of Petroleum Storage Facilities, a Major Substantive Rule of the Department of Environmental Protection. Senator Brenner, Representative Gramlich, and members of the Joint Standing Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, my name is Todd Martin. I am the Director of NRCM Read More
More Pollution-free Electric School Buses Coming to Maine
Last week the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that school districts across Maine have been awarded funding from the recently passed Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to purchase 34 new zero-emission electric school buses. This news comes just a year after Maine debuted its first electric school bus at Mount Desert Island High School, a bus 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
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
Passamaquoddy Tribe at Sipayik Opposes Mining Activities in the Cobscook Bay Area
The Passamaquoddy Tribe at Sipayik (Tribe) stands in firm opposition to the efforts by Wolfden Resources (Wolfden), a Canadian mining company, to conduct metallic mining near Cobscook Bay and a precious underground aquifer in the Town of Pembroke. The Passamaquoddy People have relied upon the ecosystems and water sources threatened by Wolfden since time immemorial. Read More
Maine’s Opportunity to Invest in Clean, Reliable Transportation for All Mainers
President Biden recently announced the American Jobs Plan, a historic investment in our infrastructure aimed at creating new jobs and reducing pollution. Maine stands to benefit tremendously from this once-in-a-lifetime proposal to build a better future, but only if we invest strategically in projects that not only grow our economy but also make our communities Read More
Support of LD 164, An Act To Establish Maximum Contaminant Levels Under the State’s Drinking Water Rules for Certain Perflouroalkyl and Polyflouroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
Senator Claxton, Representative Meyer, and distinguished members of the Health and Human Services (HHS) Committee: I am testifying on behalf of the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM) in support of LD 164. NRCM is Maine’s largest environmental advocacy group, with more than 25,000 members and supporters. PFAS, including perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid Read More