by Patty B. Wight MPBN news story State environmental groups are disappointed with the Food and Drug Administration’s decision last week to reject a petition from the Natural Resources Defense Council to ban bisphenol-A, or BPA, from food and drink packaging. The FDA said it needs more evidence that the plastic-hardening agent is harmful to Read More
Maine's environment
LURC Bill Will Erode Land Use Safeguards
The amended reform proposal isn’t as overreaching as the original bill, but it still would enable conflicts of interest. by Laura Sewall Portland Press Herald op-ed PHIPPSBURG — The bill initially proposed to reform the Land Use Regulation Commission made many of us shudder. At the public hearing before the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Forestry Read More
Senators Should Back Toxic Regulation Update
It’s time for a federal response to the chemical products problem addressed in Maine law. Portland Press Herald editorial A 1970s law based on 1960s science is all we have to protect us from toxic substances in our environment. Regulations that envisioned smokestacks and drainpipes as the prime sources of dangerous chemicals should be updated Read More
New Report Sheds Light on Disappointing Winter
Last winter, I wrote a blog post, Joys of a Maine winter, sharing my love for winter fishing in Maine. But this winter has been disappointing. With the warm December and January, and early spring (summer, really) temperatures, the ice fishing season was much abbreviated. I got out on the ice maybe only five times this Read More
Reject Flawed LURC Reform Bill
by Laura Sewall Times Record op-ed As was the case during last year’s legislative session, there are a number of bills before state lawmakers that, if passed, would surely compromise the quality of Maine’s environment. They are often cast as critical to support Maine’s economy, but that falsely pits jobs against the environment. In a Read More
Warming Winters Threaten Maine’s Outdoor Traditions
“On Thin Ice” Report Details Impacts on Maine’s Outdoor Heritage Natural Resources Council of Maine and National Wildlife Federation Augusta, Maine—Near-record warmth in the winter of 2011-2012 left wildlife and outdoor enthusiasts and the businesses in winter-based sectors scrambling to adapt—and it’s just a preview of what’s to come in a warming world, according to Read More
Sen. Collins’ Toxic Legislation
by Lisa Pohlmann Bangor Daily News op-ed It is not surprising that some members of Congress are attempting to pass sweetheart bills for an industry that poses a real danger to public health and air quality. What is surprising, and disappointing, is to see such an effort being led by Maine’s Sen. Susan Collins. Sen. Read More
Why the Rush? Last-minute Bills Undermine Democracy
There are bills that have been introduced in this “emergency” second year of the legislative session that are truly alarming for those of us who care about Maine’s environment. We knew when the session started in January that some of them were coming. We knew that we faced the “takings” bill that would require taxpayers Read More
Panel Unanimously Passes Bill to Overhaul Land Use Regulation Commission
By Kevin Miller, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story AUGUSTA, Maine — Members of a legislative committee on Thursday unanimously endorsed a bill to reform Maine’s Land Use Regulation Commission after lawmakers reached an accord to remove the most contentious aspect of the measure. The bill, LD 1798, will replace the seven-member slate of Read More
