by Rep. Jeff McCabe & Rep. Larry Dunphy Kennebec Journal op-ed On Jan. 10, the Board of Environmental Protection passed mining rules that will not protect Maine’s environment or taxpayers. People in support of stronger rules outnumbered those supporting these weak rules by more than 100 to 1. The BEP, however, largely ignored this testimony Read More
mining pollution
Legislative Committee Endorses Do-over of Large-scale Mining Rules in Maine
By Christopher Cousins, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story AUGUSTA, Maine — The Legislature’s Environment and Natural Resources committee on Thursday rejected metallic mineral mining rules that have been under development for more than a year. The committee endorsed a resolve, LD 1772, that essentially sends the rules back to the Department of Environmental Read More
Legislative Committee Rejects New Maine Mining Rules
Democrats, environmental groups applaud vote, citing pollution concerns. By Steve Mistler, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA – Democrats on the Legislature’s Natural Resources and Environmental Committee on Thursday rejected rules designed to revitalize metal and mineral mining in Maine, but fiercely opposed by environmental groups that feared its ecological impacts. In a vote of Read More
Contentious Mining Rules Come Before Lawmakers
By Alanna Durkin, The Associated Press Times Record news story A proposed overhaul of Maine’s mining regulations made its way to state lawmakers on Monday as supporters and critics remain deeply divided over whether expanded metallic mining is the answer to Maine’s economic problems or will result in the demise of the natural resources that make the Read More
New Large-scale Mining Rules Panned During Hours of Testimony to Lawmakers
by Christopher Cousins, BDN staff Bangor Daily News news story AUGUSTA, Maine — Long-simmering controversy around new rules for mine operators that proponents say will revive an industrial sector that has been dormant for more than 30 years in Maine continued Monday in Augusta, where the proposed rules finally made it to the Legislature. Judging Read More
Contentious Maine Mining Rules Before Lawmakers
By Alanna Durkin, Associated Press Boston Globe news story AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — A proposed overhaul of Maine’s mining regulations made its way to state lawmakers on Monday as supporters and critics remain deeply divided over whether expanded metallic mining is the answer to Maine’s economic problems or will result in the demise of the natural Read More
Fiery Debate Continues Over Proposed Maine Mining Rules
Business groups and the LePage administration see economic opportunity, but others fear heavy pollution, including near J.D. Irving’s Bald Mountain. By Steve Mistler, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — The battle over revitalizing metal and mineral mining in Maine continued Monday at the State House, setting the stage for a vote in Read More
Mining Bill Debate Centers on Jobs vs. Environment
by Chris Fachinni WCSH-6 news story AUGUSTA, Maine (NEWS CENTER) — Are proposed updates to Maine’s mining laws a pathway to economic prosperity in parts of the state that need it badly, like Aroostook County or are they too weak to protect our prized natural resources from harm? That’s is what state lawmakers on the Read More
Proposed Maine Mining Rules Stir Debate
by Susan Sharon MPBN news story Maine lawmakers are considering controversial new mining regulations that have been approved by the Board of Environmental Protection but face stiff opposition from the public and from a coalition of more than two dozen environmental groups. The rules were drafted by the LePage administration, which maintians that they are based Read More
