Original ordinance from 2007 limited use in town by Juliette Laaka Times Record news story Brunswick will now give preference to organic pesticides over chemical treatments on all town-owned land, thanks to ordinance amendments adopted by the town council on Monday. The original land care ordinance, adopted in 2007, limited the use of pesticides on… Continue Reading
Safer Products & Chemicals
Bangor Woman, 80, Goes Solar at Home
By Meg Haskell, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story From her home on a corner lot in Bangor, Hope Brogunier, 80, is quietly staging a green revolution. Her side yard is a lightly tended jungle of shoulder-high raspberries, a fragrant, knee-deep drift of meadow anemones and a spiky sea of flowering goutweed. Bees bumble… Continue Reading
Legislative Panel Unanimously Rejects Pesticides Bill Proposed by LePage
The proposal, which mirrored model legislation promoted by the American Legislative Exchange Council, would have prohibited local restrictions stricter than the state’s. by Kevin Miller, staff writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — A legislative committee has voted unanimously to reject a bill that would have prohibited Maine cities and towns from adopting pesticides… Continue Reading
Out-of-state Lobbying Group Wants to Weaken Maine Laws. Legislators Shouldn’t Fall for It.
Bangor Daily News editorial A couple dozen Maine communities have enacted ordinances to protect their waterways and residents from pesticides. Now, Gov. Paul LePage, through a bill that appears to have been written by a pro-industry group, is seeking to outlaw such rules. The Maine Municipal Association, which represents the state’s towns and cities, explained… Continue Reading
NRCM Testimony in Opposition to LD 1505, “An Act to Create Consistency in the Regulation of Pesticides”
Senator Davis, Representative Martin, and members of the Joint Standing Committee on State and Local Government, my name is Sarah Lakeman and I am the Sustainable Maine Project Director for the Natural Resources Council of Maine. I appreciate this opportunity to testify in opposition to LD 1505. The Maine Board of Pesticides Control lists on… Continue Reading
South Portland on the Right Track with Comprehensive Pesticide Ordinance
Maintaining a natural lawn is a cheap option that’s healthier for Casco Bay and our pollinators. By Andy Jones, Maine community organizer with the Toxics Action Center in Portland Portland Press Herald op-ed I support the city of South Portland’s efforts to reduce toxins and protect Casco Bay by passing a comprehensive pesticide ordinance. When… Continue Reading
State Filings Show 130 Products Sold in Maine Contain Controversial Chemical
Two groups call for action after an analysis of new state data shows that a broad range of items contain phthalates, which may cause health problems. By Kevin Miller, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story A chemical suspected of causing health problems is found in 130 products sold in Maine, from hair conditioner to… Continue Reading
Report: Portland Becoming Top Tier Sustainable City
Portland becoming lead sustainable city. WCSH-6 news story PORTLAND, Maine (NEWS CENTER) — A report from the Natural Resources Council of Maine released Tuesday recognized the efforts of 50 people and organizations across Portland that promote sustainability. The report highlighted six areas where these efforts are succeeding: local food, waste reduction, eco-friendly transportation, energy saving,… Continue Reading
Report: Portland on Track to Becoming ‘Top Tier’ Sustainable City
By Tom Porter MPBN news story PORTLAND, Maine – An environmental advocacy group today released a report that it hopes will gain Portland more national recognition for its work in promoting sustainability. The Natural Resources Council of Maine says Portland is now on track to become a “top tier” sustainable city. The group’s advocacy director,… Continue Reading
