In Maine, 33 elementary- to high-school-age kids have forced the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to consider regulating climate-damaging emissions. These kids, joined by CLF, hundreds of registered voters, and other environmental organizations, filed a petition that requires the DEP to hold a public hearing – scheduled for May 15, 2018 – on the need for and scope of such regulations.
May 9
2018
2018
Mar 3
2018
2018
Maine Recommits to Cutting Carbon Pollution
Maine just took an important step forward in the fight against climate change. In a move that will help Maine reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions in the power sector, the Maine Legislature recently passed a bill that commits the state to the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) for the years 2021 to 2030. Maine was…
Jan 3
2018
2018
The Dangers and Costs of Childhood Lead Poisoning in Maine
Lead poisoning threatens the most vulnerable members of our communities – our children – but it imposes tragically high costs on everyone.
Nov 1
2017
2017
Road Work Ahead? Proposed Expansions of the Maine Turnpike Should Proceed with Caution
Traffic in the greater Portland area is getting worse, so the Maine Turnpike Authority wants to add lanes and build a new highway connector. But is this really the best solution to the problem?
Oct 11
2017
2017
Maine Makes Progress in Efforts to Prevent Lead Poisoning
Maine has taken significant strides in preventing childhood lead poisoning by implementing a more protective standard for what constitutes poisoning. But a stronger standard will only help Maine’s children if local officials can actually implement it. And here’s where the State is falling short. As National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (October 22–28, 2017) approaches, we…
Oct 6
2017
2017
City Park Land Constitutionally Protected, says Massachusetts Supreme Court
In a decision with significant implications for open space planning and protection across Massachusetts, the Supreme Judicial Court has ruled that municipal parklands are protected by the state’s Constitution as long as the land has been dedicated and used as a public park. The open space at issue was the Cross Street Playground in Westfield,…
Jul 18
2017
2017
Defining Moment: The Importance of Advancing the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative’s Climate Leadership
President Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement has placed a renewed emphasis on local, state, and regional action on climate change. Just last month, 14 states – including four in New England – entered into the U.S. Climate Alliance, vowing to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement within their borders. The…
Apr 20
2017
2017
Is a City Playground Protected Land? Massachusetts Supreme Court to Decide
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court is deliberating a case with significant implications for playgrounds, parks, and other open space across the state. The decision before them is whether Westfield’s John A. Sullivan Memorial Playground, also known as the Cross Street Playground, is constitutionally protected land that cannot be converted to other purposes without a two-thirds vote…
Mar 5
2017
2017
Maine’s Strong Lead Paint Protections Threatened by Budget Cuts
Recently proposed cuts in the 2018–2019 Maine state budget would dramatically reduce funding for lead poisoning prevention efforts, leaving our children vulnerable to lifelong harm.
Feb 15
2017
2017
Massachusetts Updates Environmental Justice Policy, But Leaves Room for Improvement
Two recent developments have renewed momentum for positive change to environmental justice laws and policies in Massachusetts. First, the State released a long-awaited update to its Environmental Justice Policy – fifteen years after it first issued the policy, and two years after a mandatory deadline for updating it. And, second, a new bill introduced in…