The new plan would also allow retailers to keep the nickel they charge for each disposable plastic or paper bag. By Kevin Miller, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story Members of Portland’s Transportation, Sustainability and Energy Committee voted 3-1 to endorse an anti-litter proposal that would require retailers to collect 5 cents for every Read More
sustainability
Environmentalists, Energy Firms Spar Over LePage’s Bill to Increase Timber Harvest
By Mario Moretto, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story AUGUSTA, Maine — Environmentalists and energy companies are lining up on opposite sides of a bill by Gov. Paul LePage to increase the state’s timber harvest and use the new revenue to pay for residential energy efficiency programs. The plan would slowly increase the public Read More
NRCM Testimony in Opposition to LD 1838, An Act To Expand Affordable Heating Investments with Maine’s Public Resources
Good afternoon Senator Vitelli, Representative Dill, and members of the Committee. My name is Cathy Johnson. I am a resident of Alna. I am testifying today on behalf of NRCM’s 16,000 members and supporters in opposition to L.D. 1838. We oppose this legislation because it undermines the integrity of the public lands trust fund by Read More
Time to Take Action on Climate Change
By Sen. Angus King Seacoast op-ed Maine has a long and proud tradition of environmental stewardship. Our lakes, forests, mountains, oceans, and streams are not only a resource for outdoor recreation, but also the foundation of our state economy. Unfortunately, our failure to respond to global climate change has jeopardized the integrity of our natural Read More
NRCM Comments in Support of a Ban on Single-Use Disposable Expanded Polystyrene Foam Containers Used in Food and Restaurant Service
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 and a Portland resident. I appreciate the opportunity to present comments in support of a citywide ban on the use of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) in single-use disposable products Read More
LePage: Cut Down More Public Trees to Pay for Heating Efficiency Programs.
The governor said that heat pumps, not solar rebates, are key to the state’s energy future. By Matt Byrne, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story Gov. Paul LePage and officials at the state energy office announced plans Tuesday to increase logging on public lands and use the new revenue to help Mainers convert inefficient Read More
State Plan to Increase Timber Harvesting on Public Lands Hits Resistance
By Christopher Cousins, BDN staff Bangor Daily News news story AUGUSTA, Maine — A plan within the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry to markedly increase timber harvesting limits on publicly owned lands has caused concern among environmentalists who say the increase is unsustainable. Department spokesman John Bott confirmed Monday that the department has internally Read More
Maine’s Public Forests at Risk from Increased Logging
Administration Plan Developed in Private NRCM news release Read full report. Reference documents for report. According to a new investigative report issued today by the Natural Resources Council of Maine, the LePage Administration over the past two years privately developed a plan to dramatically increase logging on Maine’s public lands without disclosing the plan to Read More
Study: Exposure to Flame Retardant Chemicals Means Firefighters Face Higher Cancer Risk than Previously Thought
Mario Moretto, staff writer Bangor Daily News news story ELLSWORTH, Maine — New research by a Blue Hill scientist shows that during a fire, firefighters are exposed to dangerous levels of toxic, cancer-causing chemicals created when commercial flame retardants burn. That firefighters develop cancer at an alarming rate is not news to industry professionals or Read More
