Although some New England states pioneered the bottle return system, they have since fallen behind. But New England can improve its recycling by updating or adopting bottle return systems in each state. This would help reduce litter in our neighborhoods, parks, and waterways; it would keep recyclable material out of landfills and incinerators; and it would lift some recycling costs off of communities.
Jan 28
2020
2020
Jan 27
2020
2020
Why (and How) We Must Update Our Electricity Grid
Our electricity grid was designed over 100 years ago. But times have changed. Today, clean, renewable energy can be harnessed right where we live, so electricity doesn’t have to come from polluting power plants miles away. But we have to update our electricity grid to take advantage of it.
Jan 26
2020
2020
Environmental Health Advocates Say The State’s Recommendations For PFAS Regulations Are Too Weak
Phelps Turner of the Conservation Law Foundation says one area of concern is the recommendation that Maine adopt federal guidelines for allowable levels of PFAS in drinking water.
Jan 26
2020
2020
Why Maine needs the Transportation Climate Initiative
At a time when the federal government is utterly failing to protect us from the impacts of climate change, we need state-level policies like TCI more than ever. If it’s done right, we will all see the benefits.
Jan 24
2020
2020
Driving an Electric Car in New England
CLF’ers Elena Mihaly and Tom Irwin show that you don’t have to live in a major city, or even on a paved road, to benefit from driving an electric car.
Jan 17
2020
2020
Why Energy Efficiency Is So Powerful
We all know about clean, local energy like solar and wind. But there’s another form of clean energy: energy efficiency. Because the cleanest, cheapest energy is the energy you don’t use at all.
Jan 9
2020
2020
Conservation Matters Fall 2019
We can’t allow manufacturers to get away with the false narrative that it’s up to you and me to recycle our way out of the plastic pollution crisis. It’s time to call them out as the real culprits and put the burden on their shoulders, not ours.
Turn off the Gas
Winter snow and ice bring out Big Gas’s fearmongers. Why is the region’s electric grid operator among them?
Jan 8
2020
2020
Maine Needs to Act Now to Protect Us from Toxic “Forever” Chemicals
The Maine PFAS Task Force recently released a draft of its recommendations for how to protect residents from these dangerous chemicals, but they fall well short of the bold action that is needed. But there are still opportunities for legislators and regulators to make a difference.