PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • July 24, 2020A bill once aimed at dismantling Central Maine Power Co. and Versant Power and replacing them with a consumer-owned public utility has been converted into a proposal to create a task force to study that possibility. In an 8-1 vote Friday, the Legislature’s Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee approved an amendment that struck all the language of the original bill, replaced it with an amended version and forwarded the new bill to the full Legislature.
State investigating ‘very startling’ levels of PFAS chemicals on central Maine dairy farm
PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • July 24, 2020
Milk from a Central Maine dairy farm contained levels of a harmful “forever chemical” that were 60 to 150 times higher than health standards, triggering a state investigation and raising new concerns about PFAS contamination on farms. The levels of contamination in the farm’s milk are the highest, by far, documented in Maine for an agricultural setting and, at 32,200 parts per trillion, potentially the highest ever recorded in milk in the country. In fact, samples collected from the unnamed farm had 23 times as much PFAS – industrial compounds linked to cancer and other health problems – as were found at a York County dairythat drew national attention to the issue of potentially contaminated milk.
Casco Bay Lines gets another $750,000 for hybrid propulsion system
ASSOCIATED PRESS • July 24, 2020
The U.S. Department of Transportation is providing an additional $750,000 to research how a new hybrid propulsion system performs on a soon-to-be-constructed ferry operated by Casco Bay Lines. It’s the final piece of funding needed to move forward with the diesel-electric hybrid propulsion system, said Hank Berg, general manager of the Casco Bay Island Transit District. Casco Bay Lines estimates that the propulsion system will eliminate up to 800 metric tons of carbon emissions annually, while also reducing exhaust fumes and engine noise and vibrations.
Maine Calling: Nature During the Pandemic
MAINE PUBLIC • June 24, 2020
Learn how to observe and appreciate natural phenomena during the pandemic, and what to do about wildlife interactions. Also hear about some fun ways—for the young, the old and everyone in between —to appreciate nature, while staying safe. Guests: Nathaniel Thoreau Wheelwright, Professor of Natural Sciences, Biology, Emeritus, Bowdoin College; Sarah Rodgers, educator and school program coordinator, Cathance River Education Alliance; Bob Cordes, wildlife biologist, Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife.
Jared Golden introduces bill to address national park maintenance backlogs
ASSOCIATED PRESS • July 24, 2020
A bipartisan proposal that would help address maintenance backlogs at national parks including Acadia National Park has been approved by the U.S. House of Representatives. The proposal, championed by lawmakers including Maine Democratic Rep. Jared Golden, would allocate $9.5 billion to address the needed maintenance. Golden said public lands “have taken on new importance for families in Maine” during the pandemic, and it’s time to address the backlog. The Senate passed the maintenance proposal last month.
Nearly 4 million gallons of wastewater discharged into Casco Bay
PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • July 24, 2020
Nearly 4 million gallons of partially treated wastewater was discharged into Casco Bay last weekend during a power failure at the East End Wastewater Treatment Plant, the Portland Water District said Friday. The discharge prompted the city to close the popular East End Beach from Sunday to Tuesday while tests were done to determine that contamination levels were not a threat to public health. The amount of wastewater discharged was not immediately known because the power failure interfered with the plant’s computer system.
Opinion: ‘Public power’ would be more expensive, less reliable
KENNEBEC JOURNAL • June 24, 2020
“Public power” sounds great, but the policy behind it is anything but. If passed, it would represent one of the most expensive and risky steps ever taken by the state of Maine. That is why cooler heads must prevail. Economically, good things are happening in Maine, and we want to attract private investment. However, what kind of message do we send to businesses when the state of Maine passes a law to take over private companies by eminent domain? In the end, “public power” is a catchy phrase, but Maine simply cannot afford it. ~Dana Connors, Maine State Chamber of Commerce
More trash probably won’t be a money maker for Orrington incinerator
BANGOR DAILY NEWS • July 24, 2020
To some, it may have seemed like a win-win situation when a group of more than 100 Maine communities announced early this month that it was planning to send a majority of its household trash to a familiar place: the Penobscot Energy Recovery Co. facility in Orrington that burns waste to generate electricity. That has brought new revenue to PERC. But it has also brought steep new costs. lant Manager Henry Lang said, “If I had to guess, I would say that we’re not making a profit on it.” However, while the short-term arrangement may not be sustainable, Lang said that it will be better overall for the environment and will help to preserve Maine’s unused landfill space.
Utility regulator’s staff recommends $500K penalty for CMP’s wrongful disconnect notices
BANGOR DAILY NEWS • July 23, 2020
Staff of the Maine Public Utilities Commission on Thursday recommended that the regulator impose a $500,000 penalty against Central Maine Power Co. for violating its consumer-protection rule against winter disconnections. The penalty is to be paid as a bill credit in equal amounts to the accounts of CMP customers who participated in the electric lifeline program in 2019-2020.
Sandy beaches and a mountain backdrop make Donnell Pond a paddler’s paradise
BANGOR DAILY NEWS • July 23, 2020
Easy to strenuous, depending on how much of Donnell Pond in Hancock County you explore and weather conditions. Exploring the entire waterbody could easily take all day. The paddle would measure about 10 miles. But shorter paddling trips on the pond are easy to plan. A number of beaches and islands make for good destinations and turn-around spots.
Reward being offered for information regarding goat’s torture and death
PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • July 23, 2020
Kerry Enos, the owner of Worth the Wait Farm in Denmark, is offering a reward for any information that could lead authorities to whoever stole one of her goats two weeks ago, tortured it and then dumped the mutilated animal’s carcass on her property.
Black squirrel spotted, befriended in Poland
SUN JOURNAL • July 23, 2020
Marty Corey has seen her share of squirrels over the years, but the creature who came sniffing around her bird feeders Wednesday was a first. The young squirrel, noshing on a morsel of food when Corey snapped a photo, is all black, from the top of its head to the tip of its tail, the opposite of an albino. It is a red squirrel that just happens to be black. According to one study, in North America, black squirrels are uncommon, with one estimate putting them at a rate of one in every 10,000.
Auburn delays implementation of regional food plan
SUN JOURNAL • July 23, 2020
“Local Foods, Local Places” aims to strengthen access to local food, expand market opportunities and infrastructure for farm and food businesses, and integrate local food and agriculture into city planning and economic development strategies, among other goals. It was developed through St. Mary’s Nutrition Center, with assistance from the U.S. EPA, which oversees the program. The Auburn City Council was set to adopt the plan Monday, but ultimately tabled it for three months. Two councilors argued the 100-plus-page document is too Lewiston-focused. Those who supported the plan said it was developed using a community-driven process featuring a two-day workshop attended by dozens of people from across both cities, including Auburn city and school staff.
Leslie Eastman, distinguished Maine botanist, dies at 80
PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • July 23, 2020
Leslie Eastman, a dedicated teacher at Lewiston High School and one of Maine’s leading botanists, died July 17. He was 80. Mr. Eastman was past president of the distinguished Josselyn Botanical Society and authored more than 100 journal articles and scientific reports on rare plants. He was remembered by loved ones and colleagues Thursday as a funny, intelligent and inquisitive man who lived life to its fullest.
Richmond nonprofit sues CMP over tower lights, radar plan
TIMES RECORD • July 23, 2020
A Richmond-based nonprofit is suing Central Maine Power over the company’s plans to install a radar system on two towers near Chops Point, arguing the radar could cause adverse health effects and harm local wildlife. Friends of Merrymeeting Bay, a nonprofit focused on the ecosystem in the area, filed suit Tuesday. Also suing are Ed Friedman, Bowdoinham resident and chair of the nonprofit, Kathleen McGee of Bowdoinham and Colleen Moore of Topsham. The suit cites concerns that radiation emitted by radar could cause health problems and that the towers’ lights will harm local wildlife.
Mills, Collins Call on Federal Government to Provide Disaster Assistance to Maine Herring Industry
MAINE PUBLIC • June 23, 2020
Democratic Gov. Janet Mills and Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins are calling on the federal government to provide disaster assistance to the state's herring industry in the wake of what they call the fishery's failure. The herring population off New England's coast has nosedived in recent years, and federal regulators have drastically reduced commercial catch limits by more than 80 percent. That has driven prices for the vital food-chain fish ever higher, and sent lobstermen scrambling for alternatives to what had been their go-to bait.u.s.
King Pushes For Help Targeted At Seasonal Businesses
MAINE PUBLIC • June 23, 2020
As talks in Congress continue toward another round of pandemic relief, U.S. independent Sen. Angus King of Maine is pushing for help targeted at seasonal businesses. “I think that it’s prudent to try to get some provisions into the new COVID bill that is being discussed to deal with some of the specialized, particularly seasonal, businesses,” such as resorts.
Dr. Shaw Library storywalk is installed at Ezra Smith Conservation Area
TURNER PUBLISHING • July 22, 2020
The Dr. Shaw Memorial Library was awarded a grant from the Maine Bicentennial Commission to create a storywalk at the Ezra Smith Conservation Area in Mount Vernon. It features Winthrop author Lynn Plourde’s book, “At One In a Place Called Maine.” On the flipside of the pages are facts that correspond to the text and provide information about various aspects of our Maine environment. The storywalk will be up through the end of August and can be enjoyed at any time. There is a notebook is inside the Kennebec Land Trust’s sign-in box at the head of the trails for those who check it out to leave comments.
Take a Tour – Clark Island Preserve, St. George, Maine
MAINE COAST HERITAGE TRUST • July 23, 2020
Tag along with Maine Coast Heritage Trust land steward Amanda Devine on a trip to Clark Island, one of our newest island preserves. Through generous donor support, MCHT conserved and opened to the public 120 acres of Clark Island earlier this summer. In the coming weeks, we’ll be continuing to make improvements to the preserve.
The Eastern chipmunk is an enemy to cucumbers in Maine this summer
BANGOR DAILY NEWS • July 23, 2020
Small, furry and cute, the Eastern chipmunk is a common woodland critter in the state and it may well be coming to a vegetable patch near you. Gardeners in Maine are trying anything they can think of to keep the rodents from eating ripening crops in the wake of an explosion in the chipmunk population. This summer’s chipmunk boom is reminiscent of the boom in the Maine gray squirrel population the previous two summers, Dill said, which was followed by a natural decrease in the population this year.