Paper mill was the source of Maine river oil spill

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • July 16, 2026

An oil spill discovered in the Kennebec River in Clinton in late April came from the Skowhegan paper mill up the river, the U.S. Coast Guard found. The paper mill’s management initially denied that the oil belonged to it. But a mill spokesperson confirmed Wednesday that it is aware the oil has the same “chemical signature” as the fuel oil used at its Somerset Mill and has cooperated fully with regulators.