Earlier this week, in her State of the Budget address Governor Mills called on Maine to set a new goal of reaching 100% renewable energy by 2040. With the impacts of climate change already threatening our communities and the high costs of oil and gas hitting Mainers’ pocketbooks, it’s clear Maine must transition quickly to Read More
Governor Janet Mills
4 Ways the Historic Climate Bill Will Benefit Mainers
The most significant investment in climate action and clean energy in U.S. history has been signed into law, and it’s good news for Maine! The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) will have big benefits for Maine people by making clean energy, home efficiency and electrification, and electric vehicles more affordable for everyday people. We know these Read More
Legislative Session Marked Again by Big Environmental Accomplishments
Bipartisan votes on many bills highlight strong conservation ethic NRCM news release April 26, 2022 (Augusta, ME) — The Maine Legislature yet again delivered significant progress on a broad range of environmental issues that will benefit Mainers across the state, according to an analysis by the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM). NRCM praised Governor Read More
New Law Will Close Out-of-state Waste Loophole
Don’t Waste ME | Community Action Works | Natural Resources Council of Maine news release A bill to stop filling Maine’s State-owned Juniper Ridge Landfill with out-of-state waste was signed into law yesterday by Governor Janet Mills. LD 1639 will close a loophole in the state’s waste laws that had allowed private corporations to import construction Read More
Maine Closes the Out-of-State Waste Loophole
In 2022, NRCM worked with our allies from Community Action Works, the Maine Environmental Priorities Coalition, and Don’t Waste ME, an alliance of impacted community residents and tribal citizens to pass LD 1639. Together, we succeeded in closing a loophole that allowed toxic out-of-state waste to be disposed of in Maine’s State-owned landfill located in Read More
River Classification Upgrades Will Protect Maine’s Clean Water
NRCM news release April 4, 2022 (Augusta, ME) – More than 800 miles of rivers and streams in Maine will receive stronger protections from pollution under new standards signed into law on Thursday, March 31st. The water quality upgrades contained in LD 1964 are the result of a review conducted every three years by the Read More
New Law Will Expand Maine’s Ecological Reserve System
Maine Audubon and Natural Resources Council of Maine news release A bill that will expand Maine’s network of ecological reserves to protect more habitat for the state’s rich array of plants, animals, and other species was signed into law by Governor Janet Mills on Tuesday March 29, 2022. State-owned ecological reserves cover less than 1% Read More
Testimony in Support Certain Provisions of LD 1995 Related to Dept. of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry
Testimony in Support of LD 1995, An Act To Make Supplemental Appropriations and Allocations for the Expenditures of State Government, General Fund and Other Funds and To Change Certain Provisions of the Law Necessary to the Proper Operations of State Government for the Fiscal Years Ending June 30, 2022 and June 30, 2023 Senator Breen, Representative Pierce, Read More
Offshore Wind Holds Great Promise for Maine
The United States has made great strides over the past several years in developing and deploying the clean energy we need to help address the climate crisis. But one area that still holds a great deal of unfulfilled promise for our country – and especially for Maine – is offshore wind, particularly deep offshore wind that might be located 25 or 50 miles from shore. The Gulf of Maine Read More
