By Jennifer Mitchell Maine Public news story On Thursday, the Trump administration announced a draft proposal that would open large swaths of federal waters to potential oil and gas drilling, including the coast of Maine. The proposal would open most of the outer continental shelf to oil and gas drilling for a five-year lease period Read More
oil drilling
Trump Plan Would Open Maine Waters to Oil Drilling
Five-Year Offshore Plan could devastate Maine’s coastlines, fisheries and coastal communities Statement of Lisa Pohlmann, Executive Director, Natural Resources Council of Maine “The Trump Administration today released a dangerous five-year plan for offshore oil and gas leasing in the Atlantic Ocean—including off the coast of Maine, Pacific Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Arctic Ocean. This Read More
Fight to Save Arctic Refuge from Oil Drilling Isn’t Over
Environmentalists vow to head to the courts to preserve the pristine natural resource. The Seattle Times editorial Portland Press Herald editorial page During her nearly four years as President Obama’s secretary of the interior, Sally Jewell said, oil companies did not pressure her about opening up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for drilling. Politicians, however, Read More
Final Tax Bill Includes Damaging Provision to Drill for Oil in the Arctic
Statement of Lisa Pohlmann, Executive Director, Natural Resources Council of Maine “We are deeply disappointed in Senator Susan Collins’ vote for the final tax bill, which overturns decades of protection from oil drilling in the pristine Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). This vote betrays the will of the majority of Mainers, and reverses Senator Collins’ Read More
Collins Draws Ire from Conservation Groups Over Vote on Senate Tax Bill, Allowing Arctic Drilling
by Susan Sharon Maine Public news story As Republicans look to reconcile key differences between the House and Senate versions of their tax bills, one of the flashpoints is around a remote, eastern corner of Alaska — the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, considered one of the most pristine wilderness areas in the country. The Senate Read More
King Angry; Poliquin Pleased Over Tax Bill Passage
by Jennifer Mitchell Maine Public news story WASHINGTON, D.C – Maine Independent Sen. Angus King says he’s “angry” and “disappointed” over the passage of the $1.4 trillion GOP tax overhaul bill. “The American people deserve better,” says King. King said Saturday that there was ample opportunity to gather expert input on the bill’s actual effects. Read More
Critics Blast Offshore Oil Drilling Plan for East Coast
Business and petroleum groups say they want to explore for more oil and gas to stabilize prices. By Wayne Parry, The Associated Press Portland Press Herald news story ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — Environmentalists say allowing offshore drilling along the U.S. East Coast from northern Virginia to the Georgia-Florida border could lead to a catastrophic oil Read More
LePage Joins Governor Coalition That’s Working to Expand Offshore Drilling
The group’s first member from the Northeast says the state could benefit from more natural gas exploration, and some ask: Is he eyeing the Gulf of Maine? By Steve Mistler. Portland Press Herald Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage has joined a coalition of governors supporting offshore drilling and exploration for Read More
Mainers Rally for Arctic Protection
Statement of Matt Prindiville, NRCM Outreach Coordinator Welcome everybody. It’s wonderful to see so many of you out here today. My name is Matt Prindiville and I’m an organizer with the Natural Resources Council of Maine. I’m here with representatives from the Sierra Club, Maine Audubon, Environment Maine, the Maine Council of Churches, the Alaska Read More