The PUC cuts Efficiency Maine’s funding from $60 million to $22 million, a decision that many think will raise electricity bills by shrinking weatherization and heating-system programs. By Dennis Hoey. Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story The Maine Public Utilities Commission voted 2-1 Tuesday to restrict funding for energy efficiency programs, drawing harsh criticism Read More
Portland Set to Carry Out Disposable-bag Fees, Polystyrene Foam Ban
Grocers and other businesses get prepared, with two ‘green packaging’ policies passed by city councilors last June scheduled to take effect April 15. By Eric Russell and Kevin Miller, Staff Writers Portland Press Herald news story Portland businesses are phasing out foam containers and gearing up to charge customers a nickel for disposable shopping bags Read More
Maine PUC Votes to Limit Energy Efficiency Savings for Maine Residents and Businesses
LePage Appointees Vote to Ignore and Subvert Legislative Intent News release Augusta, ME – In a surprising and unfortunate development, Mainers will be paying higher electric bills because the Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) today voted (2-1) to severely limit funding for energy efficiency programs that reduce electricity costs for Maine homes and businesses, despite Read More
Governor Puts the Brakes on Two Dozen Conservation Projects
By George Smith Bangor Daily News blog The room was packed, most unusual for a meeting of the Land for Maine’s Future Board. Extra chairs were squeezed into the small room, but some folks still had to stand. The news that Governor Paul LePage was refusing to permit the LMF Board to use bond money to Read More
Inspired to Decide: A New National Park is a Good Idea
Like a lot of people I know, I have been perched on the sidelines of the debate about whether land owned by the nonprofit Elliottsville Plantation, Inc. (EPI) should become a national park and national recreation area or not. The proposed Katahdin Woods and Waters National Park and National Recreation Area would be located on Read More
My Maine This Week: Bohemian Waxwings by Pam Wells
“A flock of Bohemian Waxwings visited our crab appletree recently. There were a lot of them. Such beautiful fruit eating birds. And a bit more colorful than the regular waxwings.” —Photo by NRCM member Pam Wells of Old Town, Maine.
Lawmakers Question Plan for More Logging on Maine’s State-owned Land
The adminstration’s plans for an increased timber harvest and reorganized land management get a cool reception from a legislative committee. By Kevin Miller, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — Lawmakers grilled a LePage administration official Tuesday about plans to substantially increase logging of state-owned lands and reorganize the department that oversees Maine’s Read More
Conservation Groups Say LePage Withholding Bonds Puts Projects in Jeopardy
The governor has authorized the release of less than $1 million of $11.47 million approved by voters in 2010 and 2012, yet even that amount hasn’t been disbursed to the conservation projects. By Steve Mistler, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — Conservation groups say Gov. Paul LePage has failed to deliver on Read More
My Maine This Week: Ben Wells-Goodwin
“I took this photo on the Carson trail while exploring the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge in Wells.” —Photo by NRCM supporter Ben Wells-Goodwin of Denmark, Maine. To see past My Maine This Week photos, or to submit a photo of your own to be featured on our website, please visit www.nrcm.org/our-maine/my-maine-this-week.
