By Mal Leary Maine Public news story Listen to full news story. Congress has until the end of September to reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) that has helped fund scores of projects in Maine. The measure has the support of all four members of Maine’s delegation, and U.S. Representative Chellie Pingree is… Continue Reading
Federal 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… Continue Reading
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… Continue Reading
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… Continue Reading
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… Continue Reading
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… Continue Reading
Endangered Species Act Stripped of Key Provisions in Trump Administration Proposal
by Darryl Fears Washington Post news story The proposal [to change the Endangered Species Act], announced jointly by the Interior and Commerce departments, which are charged with protecting endangered wildlife, would end the practice of extending similar protections to species regardless of whether they are listed as endangered or threatened. If the proposal is approved,… Continue Reading
Study Links Air Pollution to Drop in National Park Visitors
Acadia, included in the study, does occasionally exceed air quality standards but the worst offenders are in California. by Matthew Brown, Associated Press Portland Press Herald news story DENVER – Visitors appear to be steering clear of some U.S. national parks or cutting visits short because of pollution levels that are comparable to what’s found… Continue Reading
Meet the New EPA Boss, Same as the Old Boss
Scott Pruitt’s resignation from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) last week is unquestionably a win for our health and environment. Ethical pitfalls aside, Pruitt pursued an agenda that explicitly favored polluting industries over environmental protections, undermining the core mission of the EPA. However, even with Pruitt’s departure, there are no halcyon days to come. Let’s… Continue Reading
