By John Tjepkema Bangor Daily News op-ed As we celebrate Earth Day on Saturday, Mainers should be proud of our accomplishments since its first observance in 1970. U.S. Sen. Edmund Muskie of Maine was a driving force behind the 1970 Clean Air Act and the 1972 Clean Water Act. Since that time, a wide range Read More
Maine Economy
Report Documents Damage to Maine if Proposed EPA Budget Cuts are Approved
NRCM news release Augusta, Maine – The Trump Administration has proposed deep cuts to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) programs that reduce pollution in Maine, save the lives of Maine people, and strengthen our communities and economy. According to a comprehensive new report by the Natural Resources Council of Maine, the Administration’s unprecedented proposed cuts to Read More
Katahdin National Monument is an Outstanding Gift
by Gabriel Perkins Sun Journal op-ed If you look around the country, the history of national monuments and national parks shows a predictable arc. There is often loud opposition — at the beginning. We’ve seen it with some of this country’s greatest natural assets, including Acadia National Park, the Grand Canyon and even Yellowstone. But Read More
Support of LD 244, An Act To Clarify the Use of State Lands Designated for Conservation or Recreation Purposes
Senator Davis, Representative Dunphy, and members of the Committee on Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry: My name is Nick Bennett, and I am the Staff Scientist for the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM). I reside in Hallowell. I am testifying in support of LD 244. Metal mining, especially in sulfide ores, is one of the Read More
Opposition to LD 1040, An Act Regarding Permitting Under the Natural Resources Protection Act
Senator Saviello, Representative Tucker, and members of the Environment and Natural Resources Committee: My name is Nick Bennett, and I reside in Hallowell. I am the Staff Scientist for the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM). NRCM is Maine’s largest environmental advocacy group with more than 20,000 members and supporters. NRCM strongly opposes LD 1040, Read More
Gov. Paul LePage to Testify Against National Monument
by Michael Shepherd Bangor Daily News news story printed on sunjournal.com Gov. Paul LePage is planning another trip to Washington, D.C. This time, it’s about the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. The Republican governor told WGAN on Thursday he’s going in April or May to testify before a congressional committee that former President Barack Obama Read More
Dozens Fight Back Over Maine’s Proposed Mining Rules
By Anthony Brino, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story Dozens of Mainers showed up in Augusta on the first day of spring with a familiar message for members of the Legislature: open pit metal mining is too risky for Maine. More than 40 citizens, plus additional representatives from environmental groups, voiced their opposition to Read More
Maine Businesses, Solar Companies, Conservation and Public Health Groups, and Others Formally Petition PUC for Reconsideration of New Solar Net Metering Rule
More than 2,000 Maine residents join request News release AUGUSTA, MAINE—Deeply troubled by the solar rule adopted by the Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) last month, large and small businesses, solar companies, workers, conservation and public health groups, and Mainers who want to install solar filed a formal “petition for reconsideration” today. They were joined Read More
Trump EPA Budget “Declares War on Clean Air, Clean Water, and Public Health,” Statement by NRCM
Statement of Lisa Pohlmann, Executive Director, Natural Resources Council of Maine “President Trump today released an irresponsible EPA budget that threatens the health of Maine people, our environment, and our economy. In proposing to cut EPA’s funding by 31% and personnel by 3,200, and eliminate more than 50 programs, President Trump has declared war on Read More