Augusta – In response to a vote in the U.S. Senate to confirm former coal lobbyist Andrew Wheeler as the next Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Natural Resources Council of Maine issued the following statement from Federal Project Director Emmie Theberge: “We are extremely disappointed with this decision by the U.S. Read More
clean air
Former Coal Lobbyist Andrew Wheeler Poised to Take Over EPA
Nomination “a grave threat to the health of Maine’s people and environment” NRCM Statement Augusta – In response to an expected vote on Tuesday at the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works to advance the nomination of former coal lobbyist Andrew Wheeler as the next administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Read More
Support of the Nomination of Jerry Reid to Serve as DEP Commissioner
Senator Carson, Representative Tucker, and distinguished members of the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources. My name is Pete Didisheim. I am the Advocacy Director for the Natural Resources Council of Maine, and I appreciate the opportunity to testify in support of the nomination of Jerry Reid to serve as Commissioner of the Department of Read More
Acting EPA Administrator Puts Mainers’ Health at Risk
Sen. Collins should protect her constituents and vote against Andrew Wheeler’s confirmation as permanent agency chief. by Tony Owens of Cape Elizabeth, an emergency room doctor at Maine Medical Center Portland Press Herald op-ed CAPE ELIZABETH — Throughout my career, I have focused on ensuring that families and children, both here in Maine and across Read More
New England States Fear Increased Mercury Contamination as EPA Considers Weakening Rules
By Susan Sharon Maine Public news story Scientists are speaking out about what they say have been “remarkable improvements” in curbing mercury emissions under Obama-era regulations that are now under threat by the Trump administration. Mercury is a toxic chemical most commonly associated with coal-burning power plants. Because they are downwind from coal-burning states, Maine Read More
Trump Administration Pushes to Gut Air Pollution Rules for Nation’s Dirtiest Power Plants
Statement of Dylan Voorhees, Clean Energy Director, Natural Resources Council of Maine “The Trump Administration’s proposal to roll back air pollution limits is bad news for everyone who breathes. The proposal is particularly bad news for Mainers, since so much of the air pollution that affects Maine people comes from upwind power plants that would Read More
Maine Can’t Go It Alone When It Comes to Air Pollution
By Marguerite Pennoyer, Special to the BDN Bangor Daily News op-ed Maine’s air has been dangerously unhealthy this summer. The Maine Department of Environmental Protection has issued more than two dozen notices for high ozone and unhealthy conditions since April. These air quality warnings expose the danger lurking behind last month’s proposal by the LePage Read More
Rolling Back Fuel Economy Standards Bad for Our Health and Environment
Bangor Daily News editorial Last week, the Trump administration took steps to weaken vehicle fuel economy standards and moved to revoke California’s authority to set standards that are higher than federal requirements. Thirteen states, including Maine, follow the higher California standards. Both moves are unnecessary and, if fully implemented, would harm the health of many Read More
Trump Administration Pushes to Weaken Car Pollution Standards
Statement of Emmie Theberge, Federal Project Director, Natural Resources Council of Maine “Today, the Trump Administration announced its plan to roll back America’s clean car standards and attack Maine’s legal right to protect the health of our fellow citizens. This proposal would pollute Maine’s air, threaten Mainers’ health, and force Maine people to spend billions Read More