By Christopher Cousins, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story AUGUSTA, Maine — A bill to regulate large-scale mining in Maine will go into law over the objections of Gov. Paul LePage following the Legislature’s rejection of his veto. The House of Representatives settled the matter Wednesday afternoon in a convincing 122-21 vote in favor 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 Override LePage Veto, Adopt Mining Restrictions
The regulations, often described as among the nation’s strictest, ban larger open-pit mines and require mining companies to cover the costs of major cleanup projects. By Kevin Miller, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — After years of heated debate, Maine lawmakers gave final approval Wednesday to restrictive new regulations on metallic mining Read More
Legislature Overrides Governor LePage Veto of “An Act to Protect Maine’s Clean Water and Taxpayers from Mining Pollution” (LD 820)
Statement of Nick Bennett, Staff Scientist, Natural Resources Council of Maine “NRCM is grateful that the Legislature has overridden the governor’s veto of LD 820. Today, the Maine Senate voted unanimously to override the veto, and the House voted 122-21. Members of both parties worked equally hard on the bill during countless hours of work Read More
NRCM Statement on Strong Bipartisan Vote to Add “Nips” Liquor Bottles to Maine’s Bottle Bill
Statement of Sarah Nichols, Sustainable Maine Director, Natural Resources Council of Maine “NRCM applauds Maine lawmakers for taking a strong, bipartisan stance against roadside litter and in support of Maine’s Bottle Bill by adding ‘nips’ to the redemption program. Today the Maine Senate voted to support adding nips to Maine’s Bottle Bill by a vote Read More
Portland Joins Climate Mayors in Support of Paris Accord
So far, 211 mayors representing 54 million Americans have joined the network, which pledges to uphold the goals of the worldwide agreement from which President Trump will withdraw. from staff report Portland Press Herald news story Portland Mayor Ethan Strimling announced Monday that Maine’s largest city will join the so-called Climate Mayors network in support Read More
LePage Misrepresented Maine Opinion on National Monument
There was plenty of public outreach prior to the Katahdin designation, and polls of Mainers show strong support for it. By James Talbott, owner of the Millinocket radio station WSYY and a resident of Millinocket Portland Press Herald op-ed MILLINOCKET — As a longtime business owner in the Katahdin region, I am shocked by the Read More
House Overrides LePage’s Veto of “Nips” Bottle-deposit Bill
If the Senate also agrees to override, the governor says he’ll end sales of the popular miniature bottles of liquor that often end up as litter. by Kevin Miller, staff writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — House lawmakers voted Tuesday to override Gov. Paul LePage’s veto of a bill that would impose a Read More
As Promised, LePage Vetoes Bill to Impose Nickel Deposit on “Nips” Bottles
Now it’s up to the Legislature to decide on a veto override vote, which could lead LePage to simply ban the sale of the small liquor bottles in Maine. by Kevin Miller, staff writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage followed through on his pledge to veto a bill to impose Read More
LePage Vetoes Deposit Bill for Nips
By Steve Collins, Sun Journal AUGUSTA, Maine — Gov. Paul LePage vetoed a measure to require a deposit for the tiny liquor bottles known as nips. In his veto message, the governor complained about the cost of the proposal but also offered an alternative way to address the littering problem created by the increasingly popular Read More
