Juniper Ridge expansion opponents argue state again failed to consider environmental justice

MAINE MORNING STAR • July 23, 2026

Opponents of the Juniper Ridge Landfill expansion returned to Penobscot Superior Court Thursday to argue that the state has continued to fail to meet environmental justice standards when considering whether the project would benefit the public. The Penobscot Nation and Conservation Law Foundation argued in a hearing that even in its second public benefit determination, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection failed to truly meet the required environmental justice criteria. But Jack Dafoe, attorney for DEP, said the state has closely scrutinized the project.