UMaine awarded $1.8M to research tick mitigation through invasive plant removal

NEWS CENTER MAINE • January 27, 2025

Ticks and invasive species are plentiful nuisances in Maine. In pursuit of mitigation efforts, a joint team of researchers from the University of Maine and Vermont State University are exploring if both can be controlled with a single solution. The team received $1.8 million from the National Science Foundation to conduct five-year research spanning entomological, biological, and social sciences. The study builds on research suggesting that invasive plant species create prime habitats for ticks. Thickets create humid areas with stable temperatures favored by ticks. The theory is that removing the invasive plants will result in lower tick population densities. If true, this would be a win-win, Allison Gardner, associate professor and one of the project’s principal investigators, said.

Hiring freeze could worsen staffing shortfalls at Acadia this summer

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • January 27, 2025

A federal hiring freeze put in place by the new administration of President Donald Trump could make it even harder for Acadia National Park to fill seasonal positions, officials said Monday. The recent reports that Trump has put a hold on hiring new federal employees has raised concerns that Acadia will again be understaffed this summer, even as visitation remains historically high.

Wabanaki Alliance: Trump comments on birthright citizenship 'extremely troubling'

MAINE PUBLIC • January 27, 2025

To defend its executive order ending birthright citizenship, the Trump administration is citing a 19th century law that once excluded Native Americans from holding that status. Attorneys for the Justice Department raised a nearly 150-year-old case that claimed that tribal members were not subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, and therefore constitutionally ineligible for citizenship. Maulian Bryant, executive director of the Wabanaki Alliance, said though the Trump administration's birthright order has been temporarily blocked by a federal judge, Bryant said it's unfair to use the status of indigenous people to promote a policy agenda. Wabanaki leaders say they're debating whether to revive a 2022 legislative proposal to allow tribal nations in Maine to benefit from future federal laws.

Delays to CMP project in Maine will cost Massachusetts ratepayers more than $500M

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • January 27, 2025

Political and legal disputes in Maine that delayed construction of the New England Clean Energy Connect transmission line will add more than $500 million to Massachusetts ratepayers’ bills, Bay State regulators said Monday. The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities announced a settlement between utilities, which approves higher costs brought on by project delays and does not include legal fees related to the challenges. More than 34% of construction is completed, and the project is expected to come on line in 2026. Advocates say the NECEC contract will reduce overall rates because a new source of electricity being delivered to the region will bring down the market price.

Maine could be hit with bill for New Hampshire power line

MAINE PUBLIC • January 27, 2025

Maine electric customers could shell out $40 million dollars to finance a major power line upgrade in New Hampshire over the objection of consumer advocates. Maine Public Advocate William Harwood said a $400 million electric transmission development by energy company Eversource is unnecessary and too expensive. The company plans to upgrade a 49-mile power corridor with metal poles and other improvements. But the New Hampshire Site Evaluation Committee overseeing the development ruled Harwood's office had no place in the matter since the committee has no authority to set electric rates. Harwood said that Maine consumers should have a voice in whether the development is prudent and reasonable. New England states share the cost of transmission lines under rules from the regional grid operator.

Nature-based Shoreline Rules Protect Maine’s Waterways

NATURAL RESOURCES COUNCIL OF MAINE • January 27, 2025

Historically, riprap, retaining walls, and other hardened structures have been the dominant means by which erosion has been controlled along the shorelands of our lakes, rivers, and ocean waters. Although effective and necessary in some cases, these structures can have unintended consequences such as intensifying erosion next to the structure, degrading habitat for plants and animals in the important riparian zone, and inhibiting natural processes like sediment transport that are foundational to a properly functioning ecosystem. The rise of nature-based shoreline stabilization techniques in recent years has provided a practical alternative to these traditional hardened structures that minimize negative impacts while still providing the same erosion control benefits.   

The 12 strongest earthquakes in recorded Maine history

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • January 27, 2025

The Maine Geological Survey keeps a record of all quakes recorded since 1997, when state records began to be widely available. Earthquakes prior to 1997 are also noted, though the data on them is less reliable. Earthquakes that occurred prior to seismological equipment being set up in the northeastern U.S. in the 1970s are only estimates. The largest earthquake that is believed to have occurred in Maine in recorded history happened in March 1904, with the epicenter believed to have been somewhere near Eastport. The quake was believed to be around 5.9 on the Richter scale, and caused widespread damage throughout eastern Maine. These are the 12 strongest Maine earthquakes for which we have accurate data or reliable historical information.

Here’s what the latest global climate assessment means for Maine

TIMES RECORD • January 27, 2025

The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services is releasing a new global assessment outlining a path toward a sustainable future. Dr. Kanae Tokunaga of the Gulf of Maine Institute was one of two experts from the U.S. chosen to contribute. Here’s her take on what ‘transformative change’ could mean for working waterfronts. It’s “groundbreaking” because it confronts capitalism, colonialism, neoliberalism and globalization, and “chips away at the persistent relations of domination over people and nature,” she said. 

What causes earthquakes in Maine

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • January 27, 2025

Since 1997, there have been more than 150 recorded earthquakes in Maine. Those tend to be weak movers and shakers ranging from magnitude 0.7 to 2.8. You may not even feel many of those. What causes earthquakes here isn’t well understood. It may be stress released along zones of weakness. Maine State Geologist Ryan Gordon said that the movement of tectonic plates may be causing cracking and the occasional rumbling we feel. Or it could be the ground rebounding from the last ice age. But, without a doubt, there aren’t any active faults near Maine.

Boothbay’s Bigelow Laboratory expands to spur future of marine science

TIMES RECORD • January 27, 2025

Successful conservation and discovery efforts require an all-hands-on-deck approach. 

With this in mind, the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences has appointed its first marine educator, Aislyn Keyes, to oversee its burgeoning suite of educational programs and to inspire the next generation of scientists. Charting the course, Bigelow embraces an education expansion — a new 25,000-square-foot wing — and plans to reach more students and educators statewide.

New Cumberland ordinance bans harmful turf materials

FORECASTER • January 27, 2025

Earlier this month, the Cumberland Town Council voted unanimously to adopt a new rule that restricts future turf installations from using synthetic infill materials. Recent studies reveal that synthetic infill materials contain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often called “forever chemicals,” which persist indefinitely in the environment and are linked to serious health problems in humans. After adoption, Cumberland will become the first town in Maine to restrict infill materials for artificial turf installations following a wave of similar legislation across towns in the country and the European Union. Maine will institute an official ban on the sale of artificial turf materials, which include PFAS, in 2029.

3.8 magnitude earthquake felt across southern Maine

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • January 27, 2025

A rare 3.8 magnitude earthquake shook Maine on Monday morning, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The earthquake occurred at 10:22 a.m. and was reported at a depth of 13.2 km and centered 10 km southeast of York Harbor. People reported feeling shaking across York and Cumberland counties that lasted 20 to 25 seconds. It was felt as far north as Skowhegan and as far south as Boston.

3.8 magnitude earthquake rattles Maine and is felt far beyond

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • January 27, 2025

A 3.8 magnitude earthquake occurred at 10:22 a.m. and was reported at a depth of 8.2 miles (13.2 kilometers) and centered 6.2 miles (10 km) southeast of York Harbor. People reported feeling shaking across York and Cumberland counties that lasted 20 to 25 seconds. It was felt as far north as Bangor, as far south as New York City and as far west as Albany, New York. While it’s not as common for Maine to experience an earthquake as strong as the one Monday, State Geologist Ryan Gordon said, “it’s exciting when it happens.”

Court ruling delays action on aging Ellsworth dams

MAINE PUBLIC • January 27, 2025

A prolonged dispute over environmental violations at aging hydropower dams in Ellsworth remains unresolved after the Maine Supreme Court declined to rule on the matter. Activists worry the decision will delay overdue improvements to water quality and fish passage on the Union River watershed.

Portland landowner balks at Downeaster train station proposal

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • January 27, 2025

The proposed site for a new passenger train station in Portland has hit a snag with a key property owner saying he’s not on board. Bill Black, who owns a commercial office and warehouse building at 172 St. John St., said the concept plan pitched by Amtrak Downeaster officials would require a lot more of his land than he’s willing to give up. “I’m not against the station,” said Black, standing outside his 57,000-square-foot blue metal building. “I’m against the way they’re trying to take more of my land.”

Letter: Gardening coverage should not be pruned

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • January 27, 2025

Reading there would be changes to the Food & Dining section of the newspaper in 2025, brought me hope that you would begin featuring more gardening articles or bring back a full gardening section. But, to my dismay, instead you are doing away with the only gardening writer you have. Gardening has always been strong in Maine and gardening, during COVID-19, exploded, with people growing their own food, putting in fruit trees, creating flower gardens and creating outdoor spaces as a way to get through the pandemic. There is so much to gardening that could be written. More eople are growing their own food to ease the pain of high food costs as well as all the additives in our food. People want healthier options. Gardening is a way to achieve that. ~ Priscilla Kennie, Dayton

A new threat emerges at Superfund sites in Maine

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • January 27, 2025

The federal agency has found forever chemicals at several Superfund sites in Maine that could require new scrutiny. The EPA had not tested for the man-made forever chemicals, known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, until the past five years, and regulations at the time did not mandate that the toxic chemicals be cleaned up. That changed last July when a new federal regulation designated two of the most studied and commonly used PFAS as hazardous substances, requiring them to be remediated if they exceed federal standards.

Donald Trump’s wind order puts Maine’s energy future in question

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • January 27, 2025

President Donald Trump has called wind turbines costly and ugly. With a stroke of his pen, he also added a new roadblock to Maine’s quest to meet its climate goals. By signing a first-day executive order that halts offshore wind lease sales and pauses permitting for both onshore and offshore wind projects, the new president has potentially upended Maine’s statutory target of using 100 percent clean energy by 2040. The state’s plan to do so relies on installing 3,000 megawatts of offshore wind by that same year.

Lawmakers to propose bills this legislative session that address toxic firefighting foam

MAINE PUBLIC • January 26, 2025

The spill of firefighting foam containing PFAS at the former Brunswick Naval Air station last summer has lawmakers developing bills for this legislative session that address toxic foam remaining at the spill site, and also PFAS concentrate in storage across the state. Lawmaker Dan Ankeles represents Brunswick Landing where the spill occurred. At a meeting with Friends of Casco Bay on Friday, he said one bill will ensure that the Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority on the site can no longer store any firefighting foam on property it owns or leases. A second bill, he said, would create a statewide inventory of PFAS concentrate of 5 gallons or more, while a third would establish a take-back collection and disposal program for that inventory.

Editorial: Maine is a casualty of Trump opposition to offshore wind energy

MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM • January 26, 2025

President Trump’s executive order temporarily halting offshore wind lease sales in federal waters and pausing approvals, permits or loans for onshore and offshore wind projects is bad news for Maine. The first victims of this sweeping decision are the commercial leases for floating turbines in the Gulf of Maine. The second hit lands on Sears Island, the state’s preferred site for a terminal at which to build turbines for offshore wind energy. The third project is the plan for a cluster of as many as 12 floating turbines over 15 square miles that promises to give a number of parties an opportunity to study offshore wind in practice. This executive order was signed by President Trump without a care for the economy of the future or the creation of thousands of jobs for more than one generation of workers. We’ll save the climate change argument for another day.