But two resolutions passed by the Senate would block President Obama’s plan to cut greenhouse gases. by Matthew Daly, The Associated Press Portland Press Herald news story WASHINGTON — The Environmental Protection Agency proposed tougher new limits on Tuesday on smokestack emissions from nearly two dozen states that burden downwind areas with air pollution from Read More
Clean Air Act
Women Promoting Conservation are Well-represented in Maine
From Margaret Chase Smith to Rachel Carson, Maine women have made many significant marks. by Joan Benoit Samuelson and Lisa Pohlmann Portland Press Herald op-ed March is Women’s History Month, a national celebration of the generations of women whose invaluable commitments and leadership have helped to make the world a better place. We’d like to Read More
Maine Business Leaders, Citizens Press Senator Collins to Support EPA Action on Climate Change
400 Businesses Have Signed On Urging Collins to Act NRCM News Release PORTLAND, MAINE – Today, leading environmental organizations, lobstermen, wind and ocean energy experts, and other Mainers gathered near Senator Collins’ Portland office encouraging her to support the EPA’s Clean Power Plan when she goes back to Washington, D.C. next week. They unveiled a list Read More
Maine Should Lead Washington on Climate Policy
by Peter Mills and Sharon S. Tisher Bangor Daily News op-ed It is fortunate for all 7 billion people on Earth that humans are finally learning new ways to produce and use energy. Examples are legion: hybrid cars, LED light bulbs, more economical wind, solar and hydropower, super-insulated buildings and fiber-optic communications to reduce physical Read More
Maine Should Not Let Pollution Standards Slip
The state has too much to lose by backing out of a regional agreement to control emissions. Maine Sunday Telegram editorial The height of the tourist season is an odd time to get into a big fight over relaxing Maine’s clean air standards. Millions come here to experience our lakes, mountains and seashore, and they Read More
Federal Court Strikes Down EPA’s Biomass Pollution Loophole
EcoWatch news story On Friday, a key federal court ruling confirmed that Clean Air Act limits on carbon dioxide (CO2) pollution apply to industrial facilities that burn biomass, including tree-burning power plants. The court vacated an exemption that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had carved out for “biogenic carbon dioxide.” The decision, by a Read More
A Day Closer to a Better Energy Future
President Obama’s announcement of his major climate initiative this week was a historic moment. We tuned in at the NRCM office yesterday to hear the speech and cheered for what he had to say. Finally, we are seeing real leadership that will help Maine and all Americans tackle climate change — the gravest environmental threat Read More
New England EPA Administrator Hears Maine Perspectives on Climate Change, Pollution, and Energy
In Light of First Ever National Carbon Pollution Standards for New Power Plants NRCM press release Portland, ME – The head of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) New England office, Curt Spalding, joined a Portland roundtable today focused on proposed national standards, which, for the first time would limit climate-changing pollution from new power Read More
New Report Sheds Light on Disappointing Winter
Last winter, I wrote a blog post, Joys of a Maine winter, sharing my love for winter fishing in Maine. But this winter has been disappointing. With the warm December and January, and early spring (summer, really) temperatures, the ice fishing season was much abbreviated. I got out on the ice maybe only five times this Read More