November 25, 2024 (Augusta, ME) — Maine’s leading environmental advocacy organization today urged Senators Susan Collins and Angus King to insist that the full, deliberative “advice and consent” process be pursued in the U.S. Senate for nominees to federal agencies that play a critical role in helping protect Maine’s environment. The Natural Resources Council of Read More
Federal Issues
Our advocates, members, supporters, and partners work to defend our hard-earned environmental safeguards and to ensure Maine’s elected officials in Washington, DC, stand up for Maine’s environment. Decisions made there have lasting effects on Maine’s clean water, fresh air, healthy forests, thriving wildlife, and on the health of Maine people, our economy, and our way of life.
The Natural Resources Council of Maine identifies and addresses the issues at play in our nation’s capital that have the largest impacts here at home.
Find out the latest on federal issues affecting our state's land, air, water, and wildlife.
New Methane Pollution Charge Will Protect Our Health
November 15, 2024 (Augusta, ME) — A new rule announced this week by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) aimed at slashing harmful methane pollution will protect clean air and safeguard human health. As part of the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the U.S. Congress adopted the methane waste emission charge as part of the Read More
What the Supreme Court’s 2024 Ruling on Chevron Doctrine Means for Maine
Earlier this summer, the U.S. Supreme Court issued rulings on two related cases that are expected to seriously undermine the power of federal agencies to protect clean water, healthy air, and wildlife. The cases challenged what is known as the “Chevron doctrine,” a pillar of the U.S. legal system for 40 years, which holds that Read More
Restored Protections for Endangered Species Will Benefit Maine Wildlife
Maine Audubon | Natural Resources Council of Maine March 29, 2024 (Augusta, ME) – As Maine’s iconic wildlife faces increasing threats from climate change, development, and pollution, restored protections for endangered species proposed by the federal government promise to help. Yesterday, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Read More
Why Limiting Pollution from Dirty Power Plants Helps Maine
Believe it or not, power plants in the U.S. are still polluting the air we breathe, hurting our health, and fueling climate change. Pollution from their smokestacks, particularly those fueled by coal, is one of the main sources of carbon emissions and other toxic pollution that makes our food sources unsafe and can also lead Read More
100 Clean Water Champions
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Clean Water Act and the many people involved in this work, NRCM recognized Maine’s “Clean Water Champions” who have been leaders in river, lake, coastal water, and drinking water clean-up. To find these Champions, we asked people from all over the state to nominate champions in one of four categories: Read More
4 Ways the Historic Climate Bill Will Benefit Mainers
The most significant investment in climate action and clean energy in U.S. history has been signed into law, and it’s good news for Maine! The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) will have big benefits for Maine people by making clean energy, home efficiency and electrification, and electric vehicles more affordable for everyday people. We know these Read More
Maine Groups Urge Quick Action in Congress on Inflation Reduction Act
News release Augusta, ME (August 5, 2022) — A broad range of Maine public health, labor, economic justice, and conservation organizations are urging the U.S. Congress to swiftly pass the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 because it will lower costs for everyday Mainers, create good jobs, and help meet the state’s bipartisan emissions reduction goals. Read More
U.S. Supreme Court Decision Limiting EPA’s Ability to Reduce Pollution Will Harm Maine’s Clean Air and Climate
Augusta, ME (June 30, 2022) – Maine conservationists are expressing outrage over a decision issued today by the U.S. Supreme Court to dismantle the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ability to limit carbon pollution that is accelerating the impacts of climate change. The Natural Resources Council of Maine, one of the state’s largest and oldest conservation Read More
