The week of April 10th marks the beginning of a jury trial that will determine whether Central Maine Power (CMP) is allowed to defy the will of Maine people. The result could be a defining moment for the future of the CMP corridor. On November 2, 2021, Maine people voted overwhelmingly to reject the CMP Read More
LD 164, An Act to Fund the Lake Restoration and Protection Fund
Testimony in Support of LD 164, An Act to Fund the Lake Restoration and Protection Fund Senator Brenner, Representative Gramlich, 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 leading environmental advocacy group Read More
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
Opposition to LD 1979
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), Maine’s largest environmental advocacy group with more than 25,000 members and supporters. I am testifying in strong opposition to LD 1979. This primary purpose of this 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
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 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
Fatal Flaws in Brookfield’s Proposal for the Kennebec
If we are to save endangered Atlantic salmon and restore healthy populations of other sea-run fish, it’s clear that removing four dams on the Kennebec between Waterville and Skowhegan must happen. The best available peer-reviewed science shows that all of the proposals for fish passage being made by the owner of the dams, Brookfield Renewable, Read More
Support of LD 471, An Act to Require Legislative Approval for Certain Leases of Public Lands
Senator Dill, Representative O’Neil, and members of the Committee on Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry: 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 471. Read More