Extremism by a few means extreme policies will remain in place NRCM news release Today, by two votes the Maine House of Representatives failed to override Governor LePage’s veto of this year’s modest but critical solar bill, despite the fact that the Maine Senate and House passed the bill by more than a two-thirds super 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.
LePage Looks to Override Local Pesticide Rules in 30 Maine Municipalities. The Question is, Why?
More communities are developing ordinances meant to protect residents from toxic chemicals linked to cancer and birth defects. by Mary Pols, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story Even though Paul Schlein is a careful, detail-oriented sort, he didn’t fuss over his testimony before heading to Augusta late last month for a hearing on a Read More
Opposition to LD 1853, An Act To Ensure the Safe and Consistent Regulation of Pesticides throughout the State by Providing Exemptions to Municipal Ordinances That Regulate Pesticides
Senator Davis, Representative Martin, and members of the Joint Standing Committee on State and Local Government, my name is Ryan Parker and I am the Sustainable Maine Policy Advocate for the Natural Resources Council of Maine. I appreciate this opportunity to testify in opposition to LD 1853. The Maine Board of Pesticides Control lists on Read More
Opposition to LD 1810, An Act to Amend the Laws Governing Expedited Permitting for Wind Energy Development
Senator Woodsome, Representative Dion, and members of the Joint Standing Committee on Energy, Utilities & Technology, My name is Dylan Voorhees and I am the Clean Energy Director for the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM). Thank you for allowing us to present this testimony. We strongly oppose this legislation, which is one of the Read More
Maine Companies Want to Use Toxic Soil in Road Construction. This is an Unnecessary Risk.
By Nick Bennett, Special to the BDN Bangor Daily News op-ed There is an effort to allow companies to bring soils from out of state contaminated with lead, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), asbestos and other toxic chemicals, treat them with an untested and unproven technology, and then use the treated contaminated soil as fill for constructing Read More
State Legislature Passes Resolution Calling for Maine Waters to Be Removed from Trump Administration’s Offshore Oil Drilling Plan
Statement of Emmie Theberge, Federal Project Director, Natural Resources Council of Maine “We applaud the Maine Senate for unanimously passing a resolution today asking for Maine’s Atlantic Ocean waters to be excluded from President Trump’s proposal for offshore oil exploration and drilling. The House passed the measure unanimously on February 15. Where there’s drilling, there’s Read More
Lawmakers Oppose New Fees on Maine Hybrid and Electric Cars
Democrats on the transportation committee reject a LePage administration proposal to make electric and hybrid vehicles more expensive to own in Maine. By Peter McGuire, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story Democratic lawmakers rejected a proposal from Gov. Paul LePage’s administration to make owning hybrid and electric cars more expensive in a committee-level vote Read More
NRCM Statement on PUC Decision to Push Anti-solar Rule Six weeks Earlier than Previously Announced
by Dylan Voorhees, Clean Energy Project Director, Natural Resources Council of Maine “The Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) is out of control. Today the PUC decided Maine is closed for business and intent on destroying jobs in America’s fastest-growing job market. The PUC decision to move the goal posts for the third time in a Read More
Plan to Allow Alewives, Eels in Sheepscot Pond Might be Delayed Again
State lawmakers said they want to see management information before the fishway at the Palermo lake is opened. by Jessica Lowell, staff writer Central Maine newspapers news story AUGUSTA — People who live around Sheepscot Pond lined up last week to tell state lawmakers that the lake should not be opened up to migrating alewives Read More
