April 8, 2026 (Augusta, ME) – The Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM) Board of Directors has selected Justin Strasburger as the next Executive Director of the state’s leading nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to protecting Maine’s environment. Strasburger will join NRCM on April 13 after nearly two decades in impact-driven nonprofit leadership, including, most recently, as the Read More
Maine Environmental News
Maine environmental news often comes quickly and with little warning. Stay up to date on Maine environment news.
From issues such as climate change, healthy waters, Maine forests and wildlife, and sustainability—and environmental policy that could impact them—you’ll find NRCM’s up-to-the-minute news releases to see our perspective on the most pressing issues facing Maine’s land, air, waters, and wildlife. This includes findings relating to our role as Maine’s watchdog of activities of state environmental agencies—we stand ready to blow the whistle when regulations are not enforced.
You can also find our news “round up,” News & Noteworthy, which puts the spotlight on media stories that do a particularly good job capturing current news about Maine's environment. We hope you find this part of our website helpful and informative!
Maine Legislature Enacts Bill to Document Harm Caused to Communities from Climate Change
Conservation Law Foundation | Maine Conservation Voters | Maine People’s Alliance | Maine Youth for Climate Justice | Natural Resources Council of Maine | Sierra Club Maine | Third Act Maine | Union of Concerned Scientists | Climate Defenders LD 1870 was enacted by both the Maine House and Senate. It is with the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee, awaiting Read More
New Law Will Make It Easier to Recycle Batteries in Maine
April 6, 2026 (Augusta, ME) – A bill to make it easier to recycle lithium-ion and single-use batteries in Maine has been signed into law by Governor Janet Mills. LD 474 updates the state’s product stewardship laws to require that manufacturers help set up recycling programs for these batteries so they can be safely disposed of and rare earth metals can Read More
Plug-in Solar Bill Passes Maine Legislature
A Climate to Thrive (ACTT) | Maine Climate Action Now (MCAN) | Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM) A Positive Step to Address the Energy Affordability Crisis April 3, 2026 (Augusta, ME) – The Maine Legislature gave final approval on Thursday April 2 to a bill (LD 1730) that will allow residents to install compact Read More
NRCM Joins Coalition Suing Trump EPA Over Illegal Repeal of Mercury and Air Toxics Standards
Lawsuit challenges rollback that allows more mercury, lead, and other toxic pollution from fossil fuel power plants Augusta, ME (March 30, 2026) – The Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM) joined a lawsuit filed today by a national coalition of public health, environmental, and community advocates, challenging the Trump Administration’s repeal of standards that limit toxic mercury, lead, and other hazardous air pollution from Read More
Maine Environmental and Health Groups Oppose EPA Decision to Overturn Endangerment Finding
Alliance of Maine Health Professionals for Climate Action | Appalachian Mountain Club | Conservation Law Foundation | Defend Our Health | Friends of Acadia | Friends of Casco Bay | Maine Audubon | Maine Conservation Voters | Maine Medical Association | Maine Public Health Association | Natural Resources Council of Maine | Physicians for Social Read More
Congress Passes Environmental Budget that Largely Avoids Drastic Cuts
January 16, 2026 (Augusta, ME) – The U.S. House and Senate have passed a bipartisan budget for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other environmental agencies that largely avoids drastic cuts proposed by the Trump Administration and its allies in Congress. Environmental advocates in Maine said they appreciated the work to build a compromise but noted that even with this agreement, the EPA’s FY2026 budget will now be at an all-time low. The spending Read More
New Law Modernizes Maine’s Land Use Planning Commission
Wabanaki Nations Will Be Represented for the First Time January 15, 2026 (Augusta, ME) – A bill to strengthen Maine’s Land Use Planning Commission (LUPC) has become law, with provisions to expand and update this important oversight board for the 10.5 million acres of Unorganized Territories (UT), covering approximately half of the state. The new law (LD 870) includes a Read More
NRCM Statement on RFP for Northern Maine Renewable Energy Development Program
The Maine Public Utilities Commission today issued a Request for Proposals for 1,200 MW of wind power in Aroostook County and a transmission line to carry the new lower cost, reliable clean energy to electricity customers across Maine. In response, the Natural Resources Council of Maine issued the following statement from Climate & Clean Energy Director Jack Shapiro: “Bringing lower-cost sources of homegrown clean energy Read More
