Bangor Daily News editorial When it proposed to weaken fuel economy standards for cars and trucks, the Trump administration said the move would save lives. This left many experts scratching their heads. With good reason. It turns out the life-saving claims were false. Staff at the Environmental Protection Agency warned that the safety claims were Read More
Federal Climate & Energy Issues
We Can’t End Heat Waves, But We Can Take Steps to Keep Them from Getting a Lot Worse
Bangor Daily News editorial As Mainers sweltered through another week of hot, humid weather, many longed for the days of yore when the nights were cool and a 90-degree day was an anomaly. Those days are in the history books, replaced by ones that are, on average, hotter, more stormy and filled with increasing number Read More
Rolling Back Fuel Economy Standards Bad for Our Health and Environment
Bangor Daily News editorial Last week, the Trump administration took steps to weaken vehicle fuel economy standards and moved to revoke California’s authority to set standards that are higher than federal requirements. Thirteen states, including Maine, follow the higher California standards. Both moves are unnecessary and, if fully implemented, would harm the health of many Read More
Critics in Maine Decry Trump Administration Plan to Ease Rules for Auto Emissions and Efficiency
Maine is one of a dozen states that have adopted California’s tougher vehicle emissions standards, which could be eliminated under an EPA proposal announced Thursday. by Kevin Miller, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story Environmental and health groups in Maine decried a Trump administration plan announced Thursday to undermine states’ ability to set tougher Read More
Trump Administration Pushes to Weaken Car Pollution Standards; Assaults Maine and Other States’ Right to Limit Air Pollution from Cars
Statement of Emmie Theberge, Federal Project Director, Natural Resources Council of Maine “Today, the Trump Administration announced its plan to roll back America’s clean car standards and attack Maine’s legal right to protect the health of our fellow citizens. This proposal would pollute Maine’s air, threaten Mainers’ health, and force Maine people to spend billions Read More
Trump Administration to Freeze Fuel Efficiency Requirements
by Brady Dennis, Michael Laris and Juliet Eilperin Washington Post news story The Trump administration on Thursday announced plans to freeze fuel efficiency requirements for the nation’s cars and trucks through 2026 — a massive regulatory rollback likely to spur a legal battle with California and other states, as well as create potential upheaval in Read More
Offshore Drilling is Wrong for New England
by Melissa Gates, Special to the BDN Bangor Daily News op-ed New England’s beaches flavor our way of life, bring visitors to our communities, and fuel our coastal economy. From Maine to Connecticut, these treasures attract an endless stream of visitors who contribute over $11 billion to our region’s annual GDP. However, our thriving coast Read More
E.P.A. Takes a Major Step to Roll Back Clean Car Rules
By Coral Davenport New York Times news story WASHINGTON — The Trump administration took a major step toward dramatically weakening an Obama-era rule designed to cut pollution from vehicle tailpipes, setting the stage for a legal clash with California that could potentially split the nation’s auto market in two. The Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday Read More
It’s Not Jobs or Clear Air. We Can Have Both.
Bangor Daily News editorial The Trump administration is working on many fronts to roll back air pollution standards and other environmental regulations. As usual, the administration argues that rigorous regulations are harmful to business and that easing such standards will lead to job creation and a more prosperous economy. What the president and other officials Read More
