By Kevin Miller, staff writer Portland Press Herald news story The Maine Department of Environmental Protection is once again proposing a major rewrite of the state’s metallic mining regulations, reviving a controversial issue that failed twice in the Legislature during the past two years. DEP officials said the proposed rules are needed to address inconsistencies Read More
pollution
Report: Climate Change Disrupting Maine’s Waterways
By Nora Flaherty MPBN news story A new report finds that climate change is seriously impacting Maine’s waterways. The report from the National Wildlife Federation finds that changes such as warmer winter temperatures and warmer oceans, mean important changes for Maine’s ecosystems. Nick Bennett is staff scientist at the Natural Resources Council of Maine. He Read More
Maine Environmental Groups Praise Federal Power Plant Rules
Associated Press story Washington Times AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) – Environmental advocates in Maine on Monday lauded President Barack Obama’s plan to dramatically cut emissions from U.S. power plants, saying it will keep residents healthier, slow the impacts of climate change and protect Maine’s natural resources-based economy. Under the new regulations, which Obama touted as the Read More
Obama Administration’s Clean Power Plan Wins Praise in Maine
By Patty Wight, staff reporter MPBN news story WASHINGTON – For the first time ever, power plants must limit carbon emissions under a Clean Power Plan released today by the Obama administration. The plan sets a target of reducing carbon emissions by 30 percent below 2005 levels by 2030. Environment and health advocates across the Read More
Obama’s Plan to Slow Climate Change Earns Mixed Reviews in Maine
By Christopher Cousins, staff writer Bangor Daily News AUGUSTA, Maine — Reactions to President Barack Obama’s ambitious and sweeping climate change announcement on Monday were hot and cold among environmentalists, energy experts and members of Maine’s congressional delegation. While some said that the package disproportionately benefits Maine and the other New England states where heating Read More
Sea Change: Maine’s Tourism Industry Offers Environment-friendly Options
By Marina Schauffler Portland Press Herald op-ed I set out this week to write about how easy it is to travel more sustainably by patronizing businesses that do right by the environment. But to my surprise, it still takes effort in Vacationland to find these establishments. Maine has many businesses – in tourism and other Read More
Portland Leads in Tackling Cigarette Butt Litter
NRCM news release Portland, ME – Today, business, city, and environmental leaders joined together to roll-out a new initiative to install and manage “Sidewalk Buttlers,” throughout downtown Portland to remove, reduce, and recycle the cigarette butts that are littering our city streets and polluting Casco Bay. Cigarette butts are a significant source of litter, and Read More
The Costs of Global Warming: Business Leaders Call for Climate Fix
Many want world leaders to institute financial incentives for people to clean up their act. By Jonathan Fahey, The Associated Press NEW YORK — Hundreds of corporations, insurance companies and pension funds are calling on world leaders gathering for a U.N. summit on climate change this week to attack the problem by making it more Read More
Canadian Mine Disaster Offers Maine a Lesson: Strong Regulations, Enforcement are Critical
By Nick Bennett, Special to the BDN Bangor Daily News op-ed This year, the Maine Legislature rejected weak regulations that would have allowed mining companies to pollute our waters and shift massive cleanup costs to Maine taxpayers. A recent mine disaster in Canada shows that lawmakers made the right decision. The disaster occurred when the Read More
