Maine Climate Council says it’s ‘not all doom and gloom’ amid concerns about federal cuts

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • March 28, 2025

Most of the federal money Maine is counting on to achieve its ambitious climate goals is still flowing, at least for now, despite President Donald Trump’s plan to withdraw support for clean energy and conservation projects, according to state climate officials. The council may eventually have to reconsider some of Maine’s climate change projections, timeline and goals. But that can’t happen until “after the dust settles,” most likely toward the end of the year.

Maine climate programs proceed amid federal funding freezes and uncertainty

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • March 28, 2025

Some state agencies are still receiving promised federal funding for climate initiatives in Maine, although others are not, creating an atmosphere of anxiety and uncertainty about what the future will bring, members of the Maine Climate Council said in a quarterly update meeting Friday. The Trump administration has put on hold many federal grants awarded to Maine and other states under the Biden administration. That includes millions of dollars promised to improve woodland harvest practices in the state.

Column: Saying goodbye to spring migrants

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • March 28, 2025

The spring bird migration is really ramping up, as we’re hearing an audible increase in blackbirds and seeing waterways filled with waterfowl (appropriately). While we celebrate each day with the arrival of new species — I can’t wait for the first eastern phoebe to return, or my backyard pine warbler to be singing from the treetops — I wanted to draw your attention to some of the species that are leaving soon. Maine hosts many species of birds in the winter that will be departing for breeding grounds across Canada’s boreal forest. ~ Doug Hitchcox, Maine Audubon

Opinion: Maine has an ocean of potential

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • March 27, 2025

Maine as an ideal place to be a national leader in growing what has come to be known as the blue economy — those businesses and industries that rely on or contribute to healthy oceans and coasts. However, other states are already way ahead of us in promoting this kind of economic development. Recognizing this gap, last year the Maine Legislature established a Blue Economy Task Force to report on how the state can best capitalize on the opportunities emerging in marine biotechnology, offshore renewable energy, and maritime and shipping modernization. Innovation in legacy ocean industries like commercial and recreational fishing, aquaculture, ship and boatbuilding, and recreation and tourism, also represents a massive opportunity for our coastal communities to prosper. We can make Maine a leader in developing future industries in the communities we are proud to call home. ~ Michael Conathan, Upwell Collaborative and consultant supporting the work of the Blue Economy Task Force, South Portland

UMF outdoor recreation hub expands workforce, boosts western Maine

SUN JOURNAL • March 28, 2025

The University of Maine at Farmington’s Outdoor Recreation Hub is set to strengthen Western Maine’s outdoor economy and workforce by partnering with key industry players and fostering small business development. UMF has introduced the Western Maine Outdoor Recreation Hub of Excellence, a program designed to strengthen Maine’s outdoor economy by cultivating a highly skilled workforce in the outdoor recreation industry. The initiative aims to supply a pipeline of skilled professionals to support industry partners.

Gorham councilor opposes turnpike connector; the issue is headed to Augusta

AMERICAN JOURNAL • March 26, 2025

Two Gorham councilors are sparring over merits of a nearly dead, proposed turnpike connector and everyone can air it out next week in a legislative hearing. Councilor Charles “Lou” Simms opposes the toll road connector. Councilor Philip Gagnon says the town board wants the connector to spur commercial development that homeowners need to ease their tax burdens. The issue now moves to Augusta.

Other states consider joining Maine in banning the spreading of sewage sludge

ASSOCIATED PRESS • March 26, 2025W

While the application of sewage sludge as a fertilizer on farmland has been happening for decades, opposition is mounting amid growing environmental concerns about potential pollution of groundwater from toxic chemicals in wastewater. Maine has banned the land application of sewage sludge, and Oklahoma is considering a similar ban. Many other states are more closely regulating the practice. One big concern is the human health risk from toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as forever chemicals because they don’t degrade in the environment. They’re linked to health issues such as low birth weight and liver disease along with certain types of cancers.

Legislators consider whether to strengthen or weaken Maine's ban on plastic retail bags

MAINE PUBLIC • March 26, 2025

While some state legislators are looking to bolster Maine's ban on single-use plastic bags, others say the ban should be repealed entirely. The Environment and Natural Resources Committee today heard public testimony on bills to eliminate the five-cent fee for bags, increase the fee, bans on thicker plastic bags deemed "reusable," and a measure sponsored by Rep. Barbara Bagshaw to repeal the law.

Madison’s TimberHP files for bankruptcy

MORNING SENTINEL • March 25, 2025

TimberHP, the wood fiber insulation manufacturer that brought Madison’s shuttered paper mill back to life in 2023, filed for bankruptcy protection Tuesday. The company has filed a voluntary, prenegotiated Chapter 11 plan of reorganization. As part of the plan, the company said bondholders will be investing $29 million to support the transition through the bankruptcy process and to provide capital for business growth, including the construction of its third manufacturing line for the product TimberBoard. Business, meanwhile, is expected to continue as usual, including the production and sales of two existing products, TimberBatt and TimberFill.

Bowdoinham rep. introduces legislation to help restore access to Swan Island

TIMES RECORD • March 25, 2025

Rep. Sally Cluchey, D-Bowdoinham, presented legislation at a public hearing on Monday before the Legislature’s Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee that would direct the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (IFW) to develop a transportation plan for restoring reliable ferry service to Swan Island. In 2022, the ferry service for the island was discontinued due to aging infrastructure and U.S. Coast Guard requirements that included updated vessel inspection and staffing requirements. “Swan Island is a publicly owned resource that should be accessible to all Mainers,” Cluchey said.

Opinion: Maine teachers should embrace nature-based education

MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM • March 23, 2025

Since becoming 2025 Maine Teacher of the Year, I have been widely sharing what I have learned about nature-based education. I have also been connecting with state and national leaders to advocate for providing all students with the opportunity to learn in and with nature. My goal is to help all teachers become comfortable with taking their pre-K-12 students outside to engage in nature-based learning. Students who have knowledge and love of their place grow into adults who have a desire to be active participants in creating successful communities. ~Becky Hallowell has been teaching for three decades and is currently a fourth-grade teacher at Wiscasset Elementary School

Opinion: Stops and starts in Maine’s race to decarbonize

MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM • March 23, 2025

Five years ago, I published “A New Energy Policy Direction for Maine: A Pathway to a Zero-Carbon Economy by 2050.” The pathway I set out is based on: (1) Decarbonization of the electric grid through the replacement of fossil-fuel generation with renewable, zero-carbon emission generation technologies and (2) Beneficial electrification through the conversion of heating and transportation to electricity. How is Maine doing? The track record is mixed. The solar projects being built are too small and the cost of this power has been far too high. We are lagging on the development of onshore wind generation. The solution: Northern Maine wind. Most disturbing are the prospects for offshore wind. This energy is critical, yet every attempt runs into a brick wall. Maine is ahead on residential heating conversions but behind on electric vehicle (EV) adoption. One solution is to design electricity rates to ensure increases in utility and environmental costs do not increase the price of using more electricity making it more expensive to install heat pumps or buy EVs. ~ Richard Silkman, Scarborough

International Day of Forests arrives amid concerns over Trump's sweeping logging agenda

NPR • March 21, 2025

Friday marks the International Day of Forests, as designated by the United Nations. the organization warns that 10 million hectares of forest are intentionally destroyed annually. Another 70 million hectares are impacted by fires, which experts say are being made worse by the ongoing climate crisis. In the United States, efforts from past administrations to better protect the environment have come under scrutiny by the Trump administration. This month, President Trump signed executive orders aimed at aggressively ramping up the nation's timber production. He framed the importation of wood products as a potential national security threat. Another order, signed on the same day, includes provisions to sidestep the 1973 Endangered Species Act.

Maine bill to raise seawalls by two feet stalled for now

WGME-TV13 • March 21, 2025

A bill that would allow Maine communities to raise seawalls by two feet has hit a dead end for now. The Environmental and Natural Resources Committee voted not to move it forward. Republican Representative Bob Foley of Wells, who introduced the bill, argued seawalls need to be raised to accommodate a predicted sea level rise in the coming years and protect homes from future storms.

Maine college students investigate health effects of forever chemicals

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • March 21, 2025

Two dozen Maine college students are investigating the public health effects of forever chemicals by using zebrafish as human stand-ins and water samples from private residential wells as part of a growing statewide biotech training program. Students attending a weeklong conference at MDI Bio Lab are finding zebrafish — a favorite among medical researchers because they share 70% of our genes — suffer a higher rate of developmental delays and birth defects when grown in contaminated well water. However, the training program that organized the student PFAS conference is now at risk from proposed federal funding cuts. The National Institutes for Health has announced grant administration changes that would result in a $900,000 cut in annual funding for Maine’s biotech training program.

Letter: Trump changes threaten our environment

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • March 21, 2025

Many of the shocking changes made to our system of government since the inauguration concern our environment. Maine farmers lost federal grants needed to build critical farm infrastructure. $4.5 million that funds marine research for our coastal communities was rescinded. Funds to upgrade hydroelectric dams and for clean energy projects are frozen. Trump has declared an “energy emergency” so he can increase use of fossil fuels and encourage oil and gas leasing off our coasts. Thousands of employees at the Environmental Protection Agency, InteriorDepartment, Department of Energy, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration were fired. Contact Sens. Angus King and Susan Collins and Rep. Jared Golden and tell them our future and our children’s futures are at stake! ~ Corliss Davis, Belfast

Maine lawmaker wants a better system for throwing out explodable propane canisters

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • March 21, 2025

Some Mainers may have to drive an hour or more to dispose of the propane canister they used when camping or at a cookout, which is why the small containers often end up in household trash or tossed into the woods. That’s a problem lawmakers aim to solve with a new bill to study the safe disposal of single-use propane canisters, which often still contain enough propane to cause an explosion if punctured. There currently is no central repository or list of places that take the one-pound, nonrefillable propane canisters, making it hit or miss for people who want to dispose of them responsibly. The Maine Legislature’s environment committee will hear testimony on the bill on Monday.

Inside the plan to protect Moosehead Lake from a destructive invasive fish

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • March 21, 2025

Moosehead Lake, one of Maine’s most important cold-water fisheries and home to native brook trout and landlocked salmon, already struggles with an increasing abundance of native lake trout plus invasive bass, yellow perch and white perch. But there is a new threat on the horizon: Northern pike. Pike compete with brook trout and salmon for food. Pike will eat anything it can fit in its mouth, including its own young. They could ruin the landlocked salmon and trout fishery, just as they destroyed a trophy salmon fishery at Long Pond in the Belgrade Lakes region. That would be devastating for Moosehead Lake, which draws thousands of people from around the world to its waters year-round for lake trout, salmon and brook trout fishing, supporting a multi-million-dollar local tourism economy.

Column: The weird sounds you are hearing could be spring birds

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • March 21, 2025

Birds make noises for many reasons. This time of year, the main reason is all about mating, either wooing a partner or declaring a territory. Some of these noises could hardly be called songs. It takes a lot of imagination to describe an owl hoot as a song, but they’re out there hooting up a storm this time of year. American woodcocks return early in spring. Most are back now, and many are calling. Not long after their arrival, snipes take to the air in a mating display amplified by a weird, jungle-like hu-hu-hu sound, which definitely cannot be classified as a song. Tree swallows are the earliest swallows to return. I expect them around Easter. Courtship begins almost immediately, but their distinctive twittering is hardly an aria. Woodpeckers play a huge role in the non-song spring cacophony. They drum year-round, but do it much more often during mating season. Ah, spring. If you listen, you can hear it coming. ~ Bob Duchesne

Maine DEP issues Notice of Violation to Mallinckrodt

MAINE PUBLIC • March 20, 2025

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection has issued a Notice of Violation to Mallinckrodt, formerly known as the HoltraChem Manufacturing Company. For several decades, the company manufactured caustic soda, chlorine bleach, hydrochloric acid and other chemicals at its now defunct plant in Orrington, resulting in what the DEP calls "significant mercury contamination to soils, groundwater and the nearby Penobscot River." The state's Board of Environmental Protection ordered the site cleaned up more than 15 years ago for protection of public health and the environment. And the department has been overseeing the process ever since. In a statement, the DEP said the company has failed to make meaningful progress for the past two years.