Bond Logjam Hinders Public Access to Land
From anglers to hunters, snowmobile riders to cross-country skiers, a lot of people spend a lot of time outdoors in Maine. So with 94 percent of Maine land in private hands, efforts to ensure public...
View ArticleGetting Rid of Old Paint to be Easier in Maine
. Paul LePage has allowed a new paint recycling law to be enacted without his signature, making Maine the seventh state to approve an industry-sponsored collection and recycling program for household...
View ArticleMaine Parents Urging LePage to Sign Anti-BPA Bill
AUGUSTA — A group of Maine parents are calling on Gov. Paul LePage to sign a bill designed to provide information about food packaging that contains the toxic chemical bisphenol-A.The bill, L.D. 1181,...
View ArticleNCRM Issues Report Card for Maine's 126th Legislature
AUGUSTA — Maine's legislative session will soon be coming to a close, as lawmakers will return on July 9 for a final day of action and then adjourn until January. With this in mind, the Natural...
View ArticleEarth Matters: Few Changes Likely to Take Place with Current President, Governor
On June 25, President Barack Obama came out with his major climate change policy plans. The following day, the Maine Legislature failed to override Gov. Paul LePage's veto of a climate change bill that...
View ArticleLePage Vetoes Bill to Beef Up Maine Chemical Law
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage vetoed a bill Monday that would have bolstered a state program to phase out toxic chemicals in children's products.Advocates said they would return to the State House...
View ArticleState House Rally Fails to Prevent LePage Veto of Toxic Chemical Disclosure Bill
AUGUSTA, Maine — A Monday morning rally in the State House to show support for a bill that would require more stringent labeling of potentially harmful chemicals in food packaging failed to convince...
View ArticleLegislative Session Ends with Mixed Reviews
The end of a busy and often rancorous legislative session in Augusta prompted both applause and boos from observers as the dust settled.On Wednesday, the Senate completed its work for the first session...
View ArticleMaine Becomes Seventh State to Create Industry Run Paint Recycling Program
Maine has become the seventh state to pass a law creating an industry run collection and recycling program for leftover oil and latex paint.The law creates a product stewardship program that would...
View ArticleMaine Can Have Both Hydro and Wind Power
Renewable power is an important part of Maine's energy future, regardless of the source.If you were listening to the radio on Saturday, you might have gotten the impression that lowering Maine's energy...
View ArticleShut Up and Take Your Arsenic
Like so many stories these days, this is a tale of corporate power.At the request of Maine’s largest landowner, J.D. Irving — of the Irving-family forestry, oil, shipbuilding, railroad, and news-media...
View ArticleLePage Administration Proposes Weakening Smog Regulations
The Maine Department of Environmental Protection is seeking to weaken one of the state’s key anti-smog regulations.The proposed changes would exempt major new or newly-upgraded industrial polluters...
View ArticleMaine DEP Proposes Weakening Clean Air Requirement
PORTLAND—Several of Maine’s leading environmental and public health advocacy organizations today called on the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to hold a public hearing on the LePage...
View ArticleOpponents Rip LePage Plan to Diminish Maine’s Role in Anti-smog Efforts
AUGUSTA, Maine — Opposition is mounting to Republican Gov. Paul LePage’s proposal to limit Maine’s role in a 13-state initiative designed to curb the production of smog under the federal Clean Air...
View ArticleAfter Criticisms, Maine DEP to Have Hearing on New Smog Rules
After being accused by environmental groups, legislative leaders and two potential gubernatorial candidates of not being transparent about a rule change that critics claim could weaken air-quality...
View ArticleFederal EPA Supports Maine's Bid to Change Air Pollution Regulation
LEWISTON — A proposal by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection seeking to exempt industry from a state air-pollution regulation has the support of the federal Environmental Protection...
View ArticleEnergy Bill Also Increases Funding for Efficiency Programs, Commits to Lower...
Not all environmental groups opposed the omnibus energy bill. Support from the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM) hinged on increasing funding for the Efficiency Maine Trust and finalizing an...
View ArticleState Environmental Policies Don't Achieve Right Balance
I was dismayed to read in the Aug. 11 Maine Sunday Telegram a column by Patricia Aho, Maine Department of Environmental Protection commissioner, defending smog waivers for businesses like Sappi of...
View ArticleMore Dam Relicensing Slips Past Maine's DEP
The Maine Department of Environmental Protection has again missed critical deadlines and cost the state its authority to set terms in the federal relicensing of dam projects, raising concerns for...
View ArticleBan on Lead Fishing Gear Just One Way to Save Loons
Policies also need to address the impact of habitat loss, watercraft activity and lower water quality.Loons stricken with lead poisoning die slowly and painfully. It's no surprise that those who have...
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