By George Smith Bangor Daily News blog The room was packed, most unusual for a meeting of the Land for Maine’s Future Board. Extra chairs were squeezed into the small room, but some folks still had to stand. The news that Governor Paul LePage was refusing to permit the LMF Board to use bond money to 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!
Lawmakers Question Plan for More Logging on Maine’s State-owned Land
The adminstration’s plans for an increased timber harvest and reorganized land management get a cool reception from a legislative committee. By Kevin Miller, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — Lawmakers grilled a LePage administration official Tuesday about plans to substantially increase logging of state-owned lands and reorganize the department that oversees Maine’s Read More
Conservation Groups Say LePage Withholding Bonds Puts Projects in Jeopardy
The governor has authorized the release of less than $1 million of $11.47 million approved by voters in 2010 and 2012, yet even that amount hasn’t been disbursed to the conservation projects. By Steve Mistler, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — Conservation groups say Gov. Paul LePage has failed to deliver on Read More
Medway, East Millinocket Selectmen Finalizing List of National Park Requirements
By Nick Sambides Jr., BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story MEDWAY, Maine — Medway’s Board of Selectmen wants a proposed North Woods national park to be no larger than 150,000 acres and East Millinocket’s leaders seek a voice in any park legislation, according to letters the towns are sending to the state’s congressional delegation. Read More
South Portland Hires Boston Law Firm to Defend Clear Skies Ordinance
by Alex Acquisto, The Forecaster staff The Forecaster news story SOUTH PORTLAND — The Boston law firm Foley Hoag will defend the city against a lawsuit filed last month by Portland Pipe Line Corp. The City Council, as expected, unanimously approved the hiring Monday night. In the nine-count lawsuit, Portland Pipe Line and American Waterways Read More
Maine PUC’s Solar Power Study Released Today Shows Enormous Benefits
Rooftop Solar Power Delivers More Value Than Electricity Derived From Power Plants News Release Augusta, ME – The Maine Public Utilities Commission has released a study that gives a quantitative value for solar power produced in Maine. The study was in response to legislation passed last year. It focused on “distributed” solar, meaning solar that is Read More
Overwhelming Opposition to Mining Rules Demonstrated at Public Hearing
NRCM news release On February 25, 2015, the Environment and Natural Resources Committee held a public hearing on mining rules (LD 146) which demonstrated that Maine people from all parts of the state oppose weak mining rules. Twenty-four people from Aroostook County testified in person or submitted comments in opposition to the rules. Not a Read More
Irving Aims to Open Gold and Copper Mine in Maine
Tough environmental rules mean it would be the first metal mine in 40 years By Connell Smith CBC News news story JD Irving Ltd wants to build a gold and copper mine in northern Maine. The company has set up a subsidiary, Aroostook Resources, to pursue the project on Irving-owned land at Bald Mountain. President Read More
Ocean Scientists Report “Unprecedented” Spike in Sea Level Off Portland Several Years Ago
Casco Bay waters rose by 5 inches during a peak period in 2009-10, and more extreme fluctuations are likely, increasing the threat of coastal flooding. By Eric Russell, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story Sea levels off Portland rose by 5 inches during 2009 and 2010 as part of what researchers called an “unprecedented” Read More
