Today, business leaders gathered at the State House to release a letter written to Maine Senators Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins, urging strong and effective action to help address the threat of climate change. The letter was signed by more than 500 Maine businesses, including Hannaford Bros. Co., Lee Auto Malls, Oakhurst Dairy, Reed & 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.
40 Groups Call for Climate and Clean Energy Legislation
Statement by NRCM Executive Director Brownie Carson Good afternoon. My name is Brownie Carson. I am the Executive Director of the Natural Resources Council of Maine, and I am pleased to be here today representing one of the 40 organizations that are calling on the U.S. Congress to pass federal climate and clean energy legislation Read More
NRCM Statement at Rep. Chellie Pingree’s Event to Release Deca Elimination and Control Act of 2009
Statement by Matt Prindiville, NRCM Toxics Project Director “Today, Representative Pingree is moving forward to ensure Maine families and wildlife are protected from preventable diseases caused by the toxic chemical, deca-BDE. The sooner this bill is adopted by Congress, the sooner our children’s health will be protected. “The scientific evidence is clear. Deca threatens childhood Read More
Maine Sportsmen Call on Senators Snowe and Collins to Lead Passage of Federal Climate Change Legislation
Leaders of Maine’s Sporting Traditions Say Maine’s Hunting and Fishing Heritage and Economy Depends on Passing Strong Climate and Energy Legislation NRCM news release BREWER, Maine, November 18, 2009—Gathered in force today at a historic sporting clubhouse on the banks of the Penobscot River, leaders of Maine’s hunting and fishing traditions joined scientists, current and Read More
Maine Third Northeast State to Pass RGGI Law to Cut Global Warming Pollution from Power Plants
* Natural Resources Council of Maine * Environment Northeast * Environmental Defense * Conservation Law Foundation * The Nature Conservancy * Environment Maine Today, the Maine Senate voted 35-0 for final passage of “An Act To Authorize the State’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative” (LD 1851, known as RGGI). Today’s vote makes Maine Read More
Mercury Findings Should Fuel Curbs
Kennebec Journal editorial Mercury is a highly potent neurotoxin. When ingested by humans, it can cause birth defects and impairment of brain functions. Scientists on Wednesday released a study that showed severe mercury contamination hotspots in the Northeast and maritime Canada, including the upper Kennebec and Androscoggin river watersheds. The study’s conclusions directly contradict the Read More
Drilling Not the Answer
Bangor Daily News editorial As the Senate this week began debate on a bill to allow more oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico, Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback said the issue was all about two numbers: 3 and 75. That is $3-a-gallon gasoline and $75-a-barrel oil. There are two other numbers, both released Wednesday, that Read More
Senate Vote Could Lead to Drilling Off Maine
By Bart Jansen, Washington D.C. Correspondent Portland Press Herald news story WASHINGTON — The Senate will vote today on oil drilling legislation that critics contend could open the door to drilling off the Maine coast. Maine Republican Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins both said Tuesday that they oppose drilling in the Gulf of Maine, Read More
Oil Drilling Ban Still Makes Sense
Kennebec Journal editorial A quarter of a century ago, Congress moved decisively to protect the majority of this country’s coastline, fishing grounds, marine life and beaches from potentially damaging effects of oil and gas development such as oil spills. Legislators prevented the leasing of most coastal waters for fossil fuel development by adopting the Outer Read More
