Opinion: Industrial pollution extends beyond Maine ZIP codes

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • December 19, 2024

All of Maine looked toward Rumford last week as the snow turned brown from pollution. An industrial accident at the paper mill owned by ND Paper discharged black liquor waste into the atmosphere and discolored the snow. This pollution event occurred in the birthplace of Maine’s Edmund S. Muskie, U.S. senator, environmental advocate and author of the Clean Water Act of 1972. Last year, I witnessed the snow turn black with coal dust on Portland’s waterfront. This, too, led to DEP testing. This pollution event occurred during delivery of 45,000 tons of coal at Sprague’s Cassidy Point Terminal, which is transported by uncovered train and destined for burning at this same mill in Rumford. I implore us to follow Sen. Muskie’s lead and raise our collective voices for environmental protection since it affects all of us. Muskie’s experiences and passion for Maine improved the environment and the health of the entire country. ~ Sarah Southard, RN, MSN, NP, Portland

Cleanup of toxic foam spill has cost Brunswick’s airport $774,000 so far

TIMES RECORD • December 18, 2024

The group overseeing the cleanup of an August toxic firefighting foam spill at Brunswick’s airport has spent $774,000 on cleanup efforts so far, according to documents. Those same documents reveal that Hangar 4’s fire suppression system, which malfunctioned releasing 1,450 gallons of toxic foam concentrate mixed with 50,000 gallons of water, was renovated about five years prior. Some questions remain unanswered, such as what exactly caused the system to malfunction four months ago. In October, MRRA sent requests to Gov. Janet Mills’ office for funding to help clean up toxic chemicals in its hangars. MRRA made a similar appeal to the FAA under the Military Airports Program, which can provide grants to help convert military airports into public use. MRRA has not yet heard back.

Endangered whales found entangled in rope off Massachusetts, and 1 is likely to die

ASSOCIATED PRESS • December 18, 2024

Two endangered North Atlantic whales have been spotted entangled in fishing gear off Massachusetts, and one is likely to die from its injuries, NOAA said this week. Environmentalists have pushed for new restrictions on commercial fishing and shipping to try to protect the whales. The whales were once abundant off the East Coast, but they were decimated during the era of commercial whaling. They have been federally protected for decades. Some scientists have said climate change is a major threat to the whales because it has changed the availability of their food. That has caused them to stray from protected areas of ocean.

Letter: Good climate policy can take flight in lame duck session

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • December 18, 2024

Sen. Susan Collins is particularly skilled at including bills she’s been working on into a session-ending “omnibus bill” that is passed by both the House and Senate and signed into law by the president. Several environmental issues have been brewing over the last Congress. One involves the reform of permitting for major energy transmission improvements. Another issue funds coastline protection against bigger storms and rising sea levels. Finally, the Inflation Reduction Act boosted the efforts of Efficiency Maine and so many other clean energy projects in Maine. Keep that money flowing! All will make this lame duck session fly! So here’s to Sens. Collins and Angus King and Rep. Jared Golden, waving them on their way. ~ Peter Garrett, Ph.D., Citizens Climate Lobby, Foundation for Climate Restoration, Winslow

Saving Maine’s Wildlands from Ourselves

MAINE ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS • December 18, 2024

During the Covid pandemic there was a rush to upgrade camps in Maine’s Unorganized Territories (UT)—an area traditionally referred to as the Maine Wildlands—into part-time vacation getaways. The Maine Land Use Planning Commission found there were hundreds of Airbnb and Vrbo short-term rental listings in the UT. In the Rangeley Lakes region alone available rentals jumped nearly 50% between 2021 and 2024. Local residents complained about too much partying and wastewater systems that were being stressed to the point of dysfunction. Last week the LUPC members voted to have their staff draft standards to regulate short-term rental occupancy. With the incoming MAGA mob promising to jettison national regulations that protect our lands and waters and air, state oversight will be even more important. Including in Maine’s Wildlands, which—despite centuries of logging, questionable forest management, and relentless development pressures—remain an extraordinary place of global significance.

Bill before Congress would give Maine $14 million to fight spruce budworm infestation

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • December 18, 2024

A disaster relief bill pending before Congress includes $14 million to fight the spread of the spruce budworm, an invasive species of tree-killing moths that is making a comeback in northern Maine. The federal funding would be supplemented by state and private money for spraying, according to Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, who requested the funding and announced the proposal Wednesday. The bill now awaits consideration by the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Frenchman Bay Conservancy Conserves 1,921 Acres Abutting Green Lake in Ellsworth

MAINE ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS • December 17, 2024

Frenchman Bay Conservancy has closed on the purchase of a 1,921-acre property between Green Lake and Branch Lake in Ellsworth. The property will be permanently conserved, allowing future public access, and protecting essential habitats, wildlands and open space. 

Gov. Mills announces 2024 business excellence awards

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • December 17, 2024

Gov. Janet Mills recognized four Maine companies with the annual Governor’s Award for Business Excellence. Wex, which offers payment management systems for businesses, took the “climate leader award.”

Maine chickens are wearing saddles for protection and fashion

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • December 17, 2024

If you see a hen in what looks like a dress, it might be for a good reason. Chicken owners today, who may see their flocks as pets rather than livestock, buy their birds some luxuries: high-end coops, expensive treats and even holiday decorations. Some are also buying functional gear for their birds, such as “chicken saddles,” which look similar to clothing but serve another purpose: protecting hens from losing feathers and getting hurt by mating with roosters.

Maine energy plan outlines path to 100% clean electricity by 2040

MAINE PUBLIC • December 17, 2024

An aim to source all of Maine's electricity from clean energy sources by 2040 is achievable and beneficial for the state, according to a revamped energy plan. The draft proposal calls for bringing online significantly more solar and wind energy resources, improving reliability of electric distribution and increasing efficiency in homes and businesses. Taken together, Maine could achieve its clean energy goals and bring down overall energy costs by reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels, said Dan Burgess, director of the Governor's Energy Office.

Maine approves Unitil’s $72 million acquisition of Bangor Natural Gas

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • December 17, 2024

Maine regulators on Tuesday approved the $71.9 million acquisition of Bangor Natural Gas Co. by Unitil Corp., the state’s largest gas utility. As part of the deal, Unitil will have to measure, report and take steps to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases released into the air from accidental leaks and intentional venting of pipelines.

Mainers prefer artificial Christmas trees, new poll finds

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • December 17, 2024

The Pine Tree State Poll by the University of New Hampshire found that 37 percent of Mainers plan to put up an artificial Christmas tree this year, as compared with 27 percent who favor a real one. Those who prefer real trees overwhelmingly said it’s because they like the smell. Other popular responses included wanting to support tree growers, liking a more natural tree, and liking the process.

Concerns grow in Southwest Harbor about feeding of deer

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • December 17, 2024

Some people in Southwest Harbor are concerned about the implications of a large deer population and the possibility that some residents and visitors might be feeding the deer. Worries about the deer herds on Mount Desert Island aren’t new. Deer haven’t been hunted on the island since the 1930s except when a “nuisance” deer situation has been declared. Now, though, the Southwest Harbor select board is considering what it can do — if anything — to help decrease the number of vehicle crashes involving deer. It’s also considering how to potentially decrease the amount of property damage deer might cause as well as Lyme disease cases on MDI.

Maine fishermen will be able to haul in a small shrimp harvest this winter

ASSOCIATED PRESS • December 17, 2024

New England shrimp, long lost from the marketplace as waters have warmed, will come back to seafood counters in small amounts next year due to a research fishing program. Also called Maine shrimp or northern shrimp, the small pink crustaceans were long beloved by seafood fans in winter. But for a decade now, the seafood industry has been under a fishing moratorium for the shrimp because of concerns about low population levels, which scientists attribute to climate change and warming oceans.

Opinion: The bipartisan promise of a carbon tax

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • December 17, 2024

If we were to imagine a policy that not only reduces carbon emissions and stimulates the economy but also unites arguably the largest divide in the U.S. – the polarization between the Republican and Democratic parties – we wouldn’t be dreaming; these are the promises of a well-designed carbon tax. Such a policy could help bridge the partisan divide in the U.S. because it would align with conservative and liberal priorities. It would incentivize a reduction in carbon emissions due to the promise of increased economic efficiency while generating government revenue for social redistribution. To mitigate financial inequality some of the government revenue raised by the tax could be used for recurring payments to low-income Americans. ~ Will Childs and Nico Schermer, students at Bowdoin College

Opinion: Maine employers must promote themselves – by promoting Maine

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • December 17, 2024

Maine employees are retiring en masse and their shoes need to be filled by younger workers. To deal with the labor shortage, businesses should use the state's excellent work-life balance as a selling point to recruit more working-age people from other states and countries, in addition to retaining young workers who are born here. There is a golden branding opportunity for Maine’s businesses on two fronts. The first is employer branding, whereby Maine companies make the case for employees to come to them – from their mission statement to pay, benefits and perks. The second is branding Maine itself, explaining why the Maine way of life is the best livelihood for Gen Zers and millennials. In Maine, our proximity to natural wonder is one of a kind, so employees have unique opportunities to unplug outside of work. ~ Nancy Marshall, Marshall Communications

Letter: Bipartisanship emerging on climate change

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • December 17, 2024

Despite the climate change-denying attitude of the incoming administration, good climate news is emerging. In the U.S. Congress, climate change is starting to be recognized as a fact rather than a political issue. More Republicans are facing the climate crisis and are interested in doing something about it. There is a bipartisan effort to pass a permitting reform bill in this lame duck session. If S4753 passes, it will allow the U.S. to modernize its electrical grid quickly and expand renewables. Let’s hope pluralism prevails and Congress works together on this bill. ~ Nancy Hasenfus, Brunswick

Auburn City Council supports using rail line for Casco Bay Trail

SUN JOURNAL • December 16, 2024

The City Council moved ahead Monday night with its support of using the inactive St. Lawrence & Atlantic Railroad between Auburn and Portland as part of a proposed 72-mile multiuse trail system. A resolution passed 6-1 by councilors supports a proposal that would turn the line into an “interim trail,” meaning the tracks and ties would be removed and converted into a trail, while the corridor would remain available for possible future rail use. The Casco Bay Trail is a proposed 72-mile off-road trail loop connecting Portland, Lewiston-Auburn, Brunswick and Freeport.

Conservation efforts keep Maine’s Hilton Family Forest wild

PUBLIC NEWS SERVICE • December 16, 2023

A national land trust has purchased 44,000 acres of forest in Northwestern Maine to keep it wild and free for generations to come. The Hilton Family Forest near Jackman contains mountain peaks, waterfalls and vital habitats for rare plant and animal species like the golden eagle. It is also a popular recreational area for hiking, biking and fishing. Tom Duffus, vice president and northeast representative for The Conservation Fund, said the land will remain open to the public. "We want to just keep things the same," Duffus explained. "What we've learned from this community so far is how important the stability of these landscapes is to them."