The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (Arctic Refuge) is a place of spectacular beauty as well as ecological and cultural significance, but right now it’s vulnerable to oil and gas development. These industries threaten to pollute our air and water, degrade public lands, and ruin an Indigenous way of life. As Mainers we value our public lands and the space they provide for recreation and wildlife conservation just Read More
oil drilling
NRCM Testimony in Support of LD 955, An Act to Prohibit Offshore Oil and Natural Gas Drilling and Exploration
Senator Carson, Representative Tucker, and members of the Joint Standing Committee on Environment and Natural Resources. My name is Kristin Jackson. I am an outreach coordinator for the Natural Resources Council of Maine, and I appreciate this opportunity to testify in support of LD 955, which would prohibit offshore oil and natural gas drilling and Read More
Mills Pulls Maine Out of Governors Group that Advocates for Offshore Oil and Gas
Former Gov. Paul LePage joined the group in 2015 and was the only New England governor in the coalition, staffed by oil and gas lobbyists. by Scott Thistle, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — Gov. Janet Mills said Monday that Maine will no longer participate in the Outer Continental Shelf Governors Coalition, Read More
Explore the Nature of Maine’s Coast
Maine’s iconic coast thrills millions of visitors and residents each year. People love to walk York Beach, take a puffin cruise out of New Harbor, and hear the power of Acadia’s Thunder Hole. Our coast is a critical part of Maine’s economy and way of life. We must fight against any threat to it. The Read More
Offshore Drilling is Wrong for New England
by Melissa Gates, Special to the BDN Bangor Daily News op-ed New England’s beaches flavor our way of life, bring visitors to our communities, and fuel our coastal economy. From Maine to Connecticut, these treasures attract an endless stream of visitors who contribute over $11 billion to our region’s annual GDP. However, our thriving coast Read More
Poll: Mainers Want Next Governor to be Environment Friendly
Eight in 10 voters in a new survey support Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, opposed by Gov. Paul LePage. Public News Service news story AUGUSTA, Maine — A new poll shows Mainers are not in sync with Gov. Paul LePage when it comes to the environment. Most voters want to replace him with a Read More
Interior Secretary: Maine Will be “Very Happy” with Report on Oil and Gas Drilling
Secretary Ryan Zinke made the comments during a back-and-forth exchange with U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, who pointed out the strong bipartisan opposition to drilling off coastal Maine. by Kevin Miller, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke said Wednesday that he believes Maine will be “very happy” with a revised proposal Read More
Trump and LePage Want to Drill for Oil in Maine Waters Despite Widespread Opposition
by Francis Flisiuk Portland Phoenix news story Business, community, and political leaders gathered in the Augusta Civic Center last week to speak out against President Trump’s “Outer Continental Shelf Draft Proposed Oil and Gas Leasing Program,” which would open up the coast of Maine to oil and gas drilling. About 50 people — including fishermen Read More
Angus King Challenges Interior Secretary on Offshore Drilling
By Mal Leary Maine Public news story Independent U.S. Sen. Angus King of Maine questioned Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke on Tuesday on a proposal to open most of the coastal areas of the United States to exploratory drilling for gas and oil. King used a hearing on the Interior Department budget to press Zinke to Read More