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.

Critics: LePage’s Proposed Regulatory Reforms “Extreme”

Posted on January 24, 2011 by NRCM

by Susan Sharon MPBN radio news story The LePage administration has released a list of proposed regulations targeted for outright repeal, relaxation or reform and environmentalists are calling it “extreme” and “reckless.” Some of the proposals will require legislative approval. Others could be done by administrative rule-making. In either case, alarms are being sounded on Read More

2011 Environmental Roundtable with Governor LePage

Posted on January 20, 2011 by NRCM

On January 20, 2011, NRCM sponsored a Roundtable on Maine People and the Environment at which speakers presented to Maine Governor Paul LePage their views on why a clean and healthy environment is important for their job, our economy, the quality of life of Maine people, and our state’s future. More than 500 citizens from Read More

First-in-the-Nation Product Stewardship Bill Signed Into Law

Posted on March 25, 2010 by NRCM

Bill Evolves from Controversy to “Win-Win” for Business and the Environment Natural Resources Council of Maine * Maine State Chamber of Commerce AUGUSTA – Today, Governor Baldacci signed LD 1631, “An Act to Provide for the Responsible Recycling of Consumer Products,” sponsored by Rep. Melissa Walsh Innes of Yarmouth. The new law, passed with overwhelming Read More

NRCM Testimony on LURC’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan

Posted on February 3, 2010 by NRCM

Good afternoon Sen. Nutting, Rep. Pieh and Members of the Committee. I am Matt Prindiville, Clean Production Project Director for the Natural Resources Council of Maine. Cathy Johnson, our North Woods Project Director, unfortunately, could not be here today as she is out of town. NRCM has been involved in the revision of LURC’s Comprehensive Read More

Maine Board of Environmental Protection Hears from Moms, Doctors, Scientists, and Activists

Posted on December 17, 2009 by NRCM

Large Crowd Speaks Out Against Toxic Chemicals in Consumer Products NRCM and its partners in the Alliance for a Clean and Healthy Maine (AUGUSTA) The latest stop on the train carrying Maine’s Kid-Safe Products Law to full implementation was the Board of Environmental Protection (BEP) – a group that seldom sees large crowds at its Read More

Maine Governor Signs First-in-the-nation Law to Require Manufacturers to Recycle Mercury-containing Light Bulbs

Posted on June 22, 2009 by NRCM

New law protects families and the environment; Saves taxpayer money News release AUGUSTA – Today, Governor Baldacci signed a new first-in-the-nation law to help reduce mercury pollution by requiring compact fluorescent light bulb manufacturers to share the costs and responsibility for recycling their mercury-containing bulbs. Similar bills are now pending in MA, VT, and CA. Read More

Maine House Unanimously Passes An Act Regarding Maine’s Energy Future, 137-0

Posted on June 5, 2009 by NRCM

NRCM news release Today the Maine House voted 137-0 to pass “An Act Regarding Maine’s Energy Future.” The bill was drafted by a joint select committee created this session by Speaker Hannah Pingree and Senate President Libby Mitchell. The bill sets ambitious goals to weatherize 100% of Maine residences and half of Maine businesses by Read More

Bipartisan Elected Leaders Rally for Land for Maine’s Future

Posted on March 9, 2009 by NRCM

News release AUGUSTA – In a broad display of bipartisan support, legislative leaders joined citizens, sportsmen, conservationists, farmers, businesses, and community leaders to encourage the Legislature to replenish the Land for Maine’s Future (LMF) program. Led by Sen. Bill Diamond (D-Windham), nearly 85 like-minded legislators co-sponsored LD 684, which would allocate $87.5 million over four Read More