September 25, 2025 (Augusta, ME) – A new report issued today details how the U.S. House Appropriations Committee’s FY26 budget proposal would put Maine’s clean air and water at risk, limit clean-up of old industrial sites, and halt important scientific research that is essential for safeguarding public health. The dramatic cuts being proposed to 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!
Conservation Groups Applaud Historic Agreement on the Kennebec
Augusta, ME – A coalition of conservation and fishing groups is hailing an agreement between The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and Canadian power company Brookfield Renewable that sets the stage for the decommissioning and removal of four dams that are barriers to fish passage on the lower Kennebec River in Maine. Removing the Lockwood, Hydro-Kennebec, Shawmut, Read More
New Report: Offshore Wind Would Have Lowered Electricity Prices 11% Last Winter
September 4, 2025 (Augusta, ME) – New England electricity prices would have been 11% lower last winter if contracted offshore wind projects had been operational, according to a new study by Daymark Energy Advisors. Tens of millions of dollars in lower costs would have been reflected on the electricity bills of Maine households and businesses. Read More
Senator Collins Must Vote No on Reconciliation Bill
June 30, 2025 (Augusta, ME) — Maine’s leading nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization dedicated to protecting the environment, the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM), today called on Senator Susan Collins to vote against a massive bill that seeks to kill the growing domestic clean energy industry and underfund America’s public lands—programs that are of great Read More
Maine Legislature Passes Bill for 100% Clean Electricity by 2040
June 18, 2025 (Augusta, ME) – The Maine House and Senate have passed a bill that aims to reduce the state’s reliance on expensive oil and gas by ensuring homes, businesses, and vehicles are powered with 100% clean, affordable electricity by 2040. When signed into law by Governor Janet Mills, LD 1868 will expand Maine’s existing Read More
CMP’s Proposed Conservation Plan Fails to Comply with Permit Requirements
Maine Council of Trout Unlimited | Appalachian Mountain Club | Maine Audubon | Natural Resources Council of Maine June 12, 2025 (Augusta, ME) – Central Maine Power’s (CMP) proposal for conserving land in western Maine as mitigation for its transmission corridor fails to meet the requirements in its permit for protecting and connecting mature forests and Read More
New Law Updates Septic System Rules to Protect Maine’s Clean Water
(Augusta, ME) – A bill to strengthen water quality statewide through modest changes to Maine’s septic system rules has been signed into law by Governor Janet Mills after receiving overwhelming approval from lawmakers. The changes were specifically crafted not to increase the burden on property owners but rather to ensure new septic systems being installed Read More
Solar Supporters to Lawmakers: Clean Energy Powers Jobs, Cuts Costs for Maine Families
Dozens gather at State House to urge clean energy investments Power Maine Forward news release AUGUSTA, ME – More than a hundred Mainers gathered at the State House on Thursday to remind lawmakers that clean energy creates jobs and reduces costs for working families. The supporters of clean energy lined the halls of the State Read More
Maine-based Offshore Wind Port Would Generate 6,400 Jobs, Spur $6.6B in Economic Activity
May 19, 2025 (Searsport, ME) — A new independent study has put numbers to the massive economic benefits a Maine-based offshore wind port would bring to the state, especially for Searsport and surrounding communities. The new Economic Impact Analysis conducted by Karp Strategies found that if an offshore wind port is constructed and used to Read More
