Senator Saviello, Representative Welsh, and members of the Joint Standing Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, my name is Sarah Lakeman and I am the Sustainable Maine Project Director for the Natural Resources Council of Maine. I appreciate this opportunity to testify in support of LD 947. This Committee has an important and challenging task Read More
recycling
Opposition to LD 1045, An Act to Modify the Laws Regarding the Collection and Recycling of Mercury-added Thermostats
Senator Saviello, Representative Welsh, and members of the Joint Standing Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, my name is Sarah Lakeman and I am the Sustainable Maine Project Director for the Natural Resources Council of Maine. I appreciate this opportunity to testify in opposition to LD 1045. While we oppose this bill, we do believe Read More
Waterville’s Pay-as-you-throw Trash Plan Evokes Criticism, Praise
Detractors cite increased costs for individual residents, while proponents note then environmental benefits and municipal savings. By Rachel Ohm, Staff Writer Morning Sentinel news story WATERVILLE — With city officials looking to convert solid waste disposal to a pay-as-you-throw system, residents are divided over the pros and cons of such a scheme. Some say it Read More
Maine’s Advanced Recycling Programs Succeeding
Keeping Mercury and Other Toxics Out of Environment NRCM news release Today, DEP officials presented a report to the Legislature’s Environment and Natural Resources Committee showing that Maine’s five advanced recycling “product stewardship” laws are a huge success and have prevented more than 45 million pounds of electronic waste and hundred of pounds of toxic Read More
NRCM Comments in Support of Instituting a Fee on Single-Use Disposable Bags
Comments at Portland City Council meeting My name is Sarah Lakeman, I am the Sustainable Maine Policy Advocate and Outreach Coordinator for the Natural Resources Council of Maine. I am speaking as a Portland resident and on behalf of NRCM’s more than 16,000 members and supporters, of which more than 1,100 are residents of Portland. I Read More
Group Alleges Industry Influenced DEP’s Mercury Recycling Report
By Kevin Miller, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story The Natural Resources Council of Maine is accusing Maine Department of Environmental Protection officials of allowing an industry group to have undue influence on a recent report that calls for a re-evaluation of hazardous waste recycling programs. But a DEP spokeswoman said the department’s doors Read More
NRCM: DEP Submits to ‘Undue Industry Influence’ on Product Stewardship Programs
by Gina Hamilton The New Maine Times news story A new report released Tuesday by the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM) calls into question the amount of industry influence over the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in the arena of product stewardship regulations. What is product stewardship? For years, Maine has required that Read More
Sweeping Anti-Environment Agenda Emerges at State House
Record Number of Rollback Bills Proposed to Weaken Environmental Safeguards News release At a State House news conference today, a broad range of people spoke out in strong opposition to dozens of bills introduced by lawmakers that would repeal or weaken laws that protect Maine’s environment and the health of Maine people. Although the governor’s Read More
First-in-the-Nation Product Stewardship Bill Signed Into Law
Bill Evolves from Controversy to “Win-Win” for Business and the Environment Natural Resources Council of Maine * Maine State Chamber of Commerce AUGUSTA – Today, Governor Baldacci signed LD 1631, “An Act to Provide for the Responsible Recycling of Consumer Products,” sponsored by Rep. Melissa Walsh Innes of Yarmouth. The new law, passed with overwhelming Read More
