Update: LD 2091 was signed into law on March 6, 2024 News release When Castine business owner Kate Pilotte wanted to offer her meal kit customers reusable packaging, she was told Maine food regulations would not allow it. Kate then asked her State Senator to file a bill that would amend state law so local Read More
Maine Legislature
The Natural Resources Council of Maine reviews every bill being considered by the Maine Legislature to determine which ones deserve support and which ones should be opposed based on their potential impact on Maine’s environment. Read more about the bills we are following and taking action on.
Bill Seeks to Reduce Ratepayer Costs and Health Risks Associated with Natural Gas
Office of the Public Advocate | CLF Maine | Natural Resources Council of Maine | Sierra Club Maine Maine’s Public Advocate and Clean Energy Groups Partnering to Tackle the Problem A bill being considered by the Maine Legislature this year seeks to address the looming customer risks associated with utility gas infrastructure expansion, as well as Read More
January 24, 2024—Zoom in: Maine’s Environment in the 2024 Legislative Session
It’s a new year and a new legislative session in Augusta. Thanks to all of you who joined us online for this Zoom webinar to hear from NRCM advocacy and outreach staff about our priority bills and what they’ll do, and we answered questions and discussed ways you can use your voice to help pass Read More
Behind the Scenes: How Maine Modernized the Bottle Bill
Maine’s most effective recycling and litter reduction program just got a major upgrade! Two new laws passed this year make long awaited upgrades to the Bottle Bill that will help keep local redemption centers and make sure Mainers are able to redeem their bottles and cans well into the future. During the summer of 2022 Read More
Legislative Session Marked by Progress on Clean Energy, Waste Reduction, and Wildlife Protection
Maine’s conservation ethic continues to drive economic growth July 26, 2023 (Augusta, ME) — This year’s legislative session was another demonstration of Maine’s continued leadership on clean energy, with a signature bill that boosts offshore wind and continued momentum on measures that will help achieve Maine’s climate action goals while reducing energy costs, creating jobs, Read More
Maine Legislature Approves Plan to Boost Offshore Wind
July 26, 2023 (Augusta, ME) — Earlier this morning at about 3:00 a.m., the Maine Legislature passed a historic bill to encourage 3GW of offshore wind in the Gulf of Maine while creating good-paying jobs, protecting wildlife, avoiding key fishing grounds, and supporting new port construction. Below is a statement from the Natural Resources Read More
Modernizing Maine’s Bottle Bill
Step into your local redemption center and what you will see is the heart and soul of Maine’s most effective recycling and litter prevention program. At Patman’s Redemption Center in Windham, hardworking employees are in a constant state of motion, hand-sorting thousands and thousands of bottles and cans brought in by a seemingly endless flow Read More
Historic Offshore Wind Bill Advances in Maine
Legislators, the Mills Administration, organized labor, a key fisheries group, and environmental organizations have agreed on consensus language that will advance a major omnibus offshore wind bill in the Maine Legislature. The bill will responsibly develop offshore wind in the Gulf of Maine and encourage new deepwater port construction while maintaining strong standards to ensure good-paying jobs for Maine workers, protections for wildlife, avoidance of important fishing grounds, broad stakeholder engagement, and inclusive community benefits.
Bill to Boost Maine’s Offshore Wind Economy Advances Out of Committee
A bill to jumpstart a new offshore wind industry for Maine has been approved by the EUT Committee and now heads to the full Legislature for consideration. LD 1895, An Act Regarding the Procurement of Energy from Offshore Wind Resources, will generate a historic investment in affordable and reliable clean energy to power Maine’s homes, businesses, and transportation.
