By Christopher Cousins, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story AUGUSTA, Maine — A bill to regulate large-scale mining in Maine will go into law over the objections of Gov. Paul LePage following the Legislature’s rejection of his veto. The House of Representatives settled the matter Wednesday afternoon in a convincing 122-21 vote in favor Read More
Metal Mining Pollution
Lawmakers Override LePage Veto, Adopt Mining Restrictions
The regulations, often described as among the nation’s strictest, ban larger open-pit mines and require mining companies to cover the costs of major cleanup projects. By Kevin Miller, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — After years of heated debate, Maine lawmakers gave final approval Wednesday to restrictive new regulations on metallic mining Read More
Legislature Overrides Governor LePage Veto of “An Act to Protect Maine’s Clean Water and Taxpayers from Mining Pollution” (LD 820)
Statement of Nick Bennett, Staff Scientist, Natural Resources Council of Maine “NRCM is grateful that the Legislature has overridden the governor’s veto of LD 820. Today, the Maine Senate voted unanimously to override the veto, and the House voted 122-21. Members of both parties worked equally hard on the bill during countless hours of work Read More
Protect Maine’s Environment from Mining Pollution
Metal mining is one of the most damaging industrial activities conducted anywhere, with a worldwide legacy of environmental contamination. Maine has its own legacy of poor mining at the former Callahan mine in Brooksville. Shuttered 40 years ago, it’s still causing water pollution and has already cost Maine taxpayers more than $8 million in cleanup Read More
Maine House Approves Strict Mining Rules
The margin of victory suggests the bill could have enough support to override a potential veto by Gov. Paul LePage. by Kevin Miller, staff writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — A bill proposing some of the nation’s strictest environmental regulations for mining operations passed the Maine House on Thursday after a lengthy debate Read More
Mining Rule Compromise Sailing for Passage after Maine House Vote
By Michael Shepherd, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story AUGUSTA, Maine — A compromise bill that would allow mining in Maine with strict environmental protections sailed easily through the state House of Representatives on Thursday, putting it on a smooth path toward final passage in the Legislature. It could end the five-year struggle over Read More
NRCM Statement on Unanimous Maine Senate Vote for New Protective Mining Law for Maine
Statement of Nick Bennett, Staff Scientist, Natural Resources Council of Maine “NRCM is grateful for today’s unanimous vote in the Maine Senate for a mining bill that will protect Maine’s clean water and taxpayers from the risks of irresponsible mining. “This strong bipartisan bill is the culmination of five years of effort by lawmakers and Read More
Maine Senate Unanimously Votes to Ban Open-pit Mining
By Anthony Brino, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story The Maine Senate has passed a bipartisan metal mining bill that would ban open pit mines and wastewater impoundments, although some environmental advocates fear it does not go far enough. LD 820, An Act To Protect Maine’s Clean Water and Taxpayers from Mining Pollution, passed Read More
Bill to Restrict Mineral Mining Headed for Maine Senate
Sen. Brownie Carson says his bill would be ‘the most protective piece of mining legislation I believe that can be found anywhere.’ by the Associated Press Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — Leading environmental groups and state environmental regulators are working together on a bill they say would create strict regulations for mining Maine’s Read More
