Kennebec Journal editorial In a philosophically incongruous fit of federalism, the EPA may be poised to tell California it doesn’t have the authority to adopt stricter vehicle emission standards than the federal government. At least that’s the way a bipartisan group of senators, including Maine’s Olympia J. Snowe, see it. They’ve written a letter to Read More
Cleaner Transportation
Many people are surprised to learn that cars and trucks are the single largest source of global warming pollution in Maine, at roughly 55 percent. This pollution that exacerbates climate change isn’t just threatening our natural resource-based economy here in Maine, it is also impacting our air quality and the health of Maine families and children. By driving electric vehicles, Mainers are reducing air pollution that harms our environment, our health, and our natural resources-based economy.
Fortunately, high-efficiency, gasoline-battery hybrid cars like the Prius are now common place and many models of “plug-in” cars, also known as electric vehicles (EVs), are now practical and available in Maine. Especially when powered by clean, renewable power sources, electric vehicles are a very low-emission alternative to our biggest source of pollution. Our electricity mix here in Maine is one of the cleanest in the country, and that makes plug-in electric cars far more environmentally friendly than even the most efficient hybrid car.
Fuel Economy Farce
Bangor Daily News editorial The best that can be said about new vehicle fuel economy rules issued by federal regulators last week is that the largest sport utility vehicles will finally have to meet gas mileage standards, no matter how meager. On the bad side, buried in the voluminous rules is language barring states from Read More
States Win Air Quality Appeal
Portland Press Herald news story In a stinging setback for the Bush administration, a federal appeals court sided with Maine and 13 other states Friday and blocked the Environmental Protection Agency from easing clean air rules on aging power plants, refineries and factories. Industry representatives had lobbied hard for the rule changes, arguing that the Read More
Sprawling Development, Longer Commutes and Lack of Transportation Options are ‘Driving Global Warming’
Residents of So. Portland, Portland and Bangor Generated Least Global Warming Pollution Per Commuter Natural Resources Council of Maine * Environment Maine PORTLAND, ME- The fastest growing communities in Maine, largely on the outer fringes of Portland, are contributing disproportionately to the global warming pollution caused by commuting according to Driving Global Warming, a report Read More
Court Rejects (on Procedural Grounds) Carmakers’ Challenge to Maine’s Car Pollution Rule Process
Natural Resources Council of Maine * Conservation Law Foundation The Kennebec County Superior court has denied a request by the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers to stay Maine’s new clean car standards. The court also refused to send the matter back to the Maine Board of Environmental Protection (BEP) for reconsideration. “This is a good step Read More
Driving Misinformation
Bangor Daily News editorial It is not surprising that automakers have sued to negate Maine’s new rules for automobile emissions since they’ve pursued litigation against other states that have adopted similar standards. Because federal regulators have also weighed in against state rules, it is likely the emissions standards will be tied up in court and regulatory Read More
Alliance for Automobile Manufacturers Files Suit Against Cleaner Car Standards
NRCM responds Statement by Jon Hinck, NRCM staff attorney The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers has filed a lawsuit in Kennebec County Superior Court against the Maine Board of Environmental Protection to stop the State Global Warming Pollution Standards for cars and trucks, which were adopted on December 1. The carmakers’ suit makes three claims all Read More
States to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Pollution
From staff and news services Portland Press Herald Maine and six other states in the Northeast have agreed to set up the nation’s first system to cut greenhouse gas pollution from power plants, governors around the region said Tuesday. The so-called cap-and-trade system to reduce carbon dioxide emissions would cover electricity generating plants with a Read More
Governor Baldacci Signs Cleaner Cars Law
Program will cut air and global warming pollution and make cleaner cars available to Maine drivers News Release AUGUSTA- In a bold stroke that will clear the skies over Maine and increase the availability of the cleanest cars, such as hybrid gas-electric vehicles, Governor John Elias Baldacci signed the Cleaner Car program into law today. Read More
