Brunswick officials float Maquoit Bay pollution study

TIMES RECORD • June 7, 2023

The Brunswick Town Council on Monday established a task force charged with organizing a water-quality study of Maquoit Bay over concerns about pollution. Stormwater runoff carrying nitrogen-rich fertilizers and pesticides into the bay has been suspected as a possible cause of pollution that officials say may have contributed to the deaths of 4 acres of clams in the bay last year. Citing concerns about the bay’s health, the council last year purchased 283 acres around the bay for $4 million. The land had been slated for a new housing development that environmental groups said would negatively affect the health of the bay.

Where wildfire smoke is hitting the U.S. the hardest – and when it will end

WASHINGTON POST • June 7, 2023

There are 423 active fires across Canada – 246 of them out of control. Wildfires typically begin either with lightning or through human activity – for instance, when someone throws a burning cigarette on the ground in a forest, or starts an open fire nearby. They become more likely when the ground is dry and the air is hot, which is why wildfire season typically lasts throughout the summer Climate change also plays a role by causing more intense high-pressure zones. This year, Alberta, Nova Scotia and Quebec have experienced record heat. Outbreaks as widespread and numerous as these are virtually unheard of in late May into June. The amount of smoke pouring into the U.S. Northeast is also exceptional. Eastern and northeastern U.S. states had the poorest air quality early Wednesday.

Concerns arise over limited Canadian hydropower as U.S. pursues transmission lines

ASSOCIATED PRESS • June 7, 2023

Policymakers seeking to make the U.S. electric grid less reliant on fossil fuels have long looked north to Canada and its abundant surplus of hydropower, advocating for new transmission lines to bring more of that cheap, clean electricity south. But with demand for green energy growing north of the border, too, there are new concerns that Canada’s hydro supply isn’t as bottomless as it once seemed. Some New England lawmakers are questioning the wisdom of plans to construct new transmission lines across their states, despite Canadian energy giant Hydro-Québec’s insistence it can still meet its energy obligations.

Maine avoids harmful air quality from Canadian wildfires — for now

MAINE PUBLIC • June 7, 2023

Air quality in Maine is currently very good despite smoke from wildfires in Quebec that are creating harmful conditions elsewhere in the Northeast and as far south as Virginia. Martha Webster of the state Department of Environmental Protection says a low pressure system is protecting Maine. "The winds are wrapping around Maine and acting like a shield and directing the smoke to other areas of the Northeast, and Maine is in the good range." Webster says that will likely last at least through tomorrow, but air quality could change as long as the wildfires burn.

Standish will sell donated land to soccer club for $1, ending dispute

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • June 7, 2023

Standish will sell a piece of town-owned property to a local nonprofit soccer club for $1, ending a period of uncertainty about what would happen to a parcel of land originally donated to the town for soccer fields. The 22-acre parcel at 16 Moody Road was given to the town in 2014 by Walter Butler with the understanding that it would be used for soccer fields. But the fields were never built, and town councilors decided to sell it and another piece of town-owned property.

How can I avoid eating food with ‘forever’ chemicals?

WASHINGTON POST • June 7, 2023

Across the country, states are banning forever chemicals from consumer products, and some companies are promising to phase out use of the compounds. But what are we supposed to do in the meantime? “Forever chemicals,” or PFAS, are known for their persistent ability to remain in nature – and the body for years. Certain PFAS have been associated with serious health effects. PFAS experts say there’s no way to avoid it but there are steps you can take to minimize exposure from the foods you eat.
• Cut back on fast food (and greasy wrappers)
• Skip microwave popcorn and cake mixes
• Avoid nonstick cookware
• Store leftovers in glass containers
• Drink filtered or bottled water
• Check the source of the fish you eat

Commentary: The Legislature must limit future electric rate increases

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • June 7, 2023

A $220 million steamroller is coming to Maine, and everyone who uses Central Maine Power or Versant Power for electricity is directly in its path. But the state Legislature can save us by reforming, or even ending, the net energy billing program for large-scale solar developers. We support the Office of the Public Advocate’s proposal to reform the net energy billing program, which has been put forth in L.D. 1347. This bill would authorize the PUC to periodically adjust the subsidy so that it is fair to both solar developers and customers. It preserves the program for small rooftop projects where most of the energy is consumed by the owner, and it promotes the state’s goals of shifting to renewable energy and keeping electricity rates fair and reasonable. ~ Carl Bucciantini, AARP Maine

Opinion: More electric cars can help reduce our climate footprint

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • June 7, 2023

Maine is a big and mostly rural state. More than 60 percent of Mainers live outside of cities — the highest proportion in the country. We also have scarce public transportation options, so we rely heavily on cars and trucks to get us where we need to go. That’s why nearly half of fossil fuel emissions come from the transportation sector, polluting the air we breathe and harming our climate. If Maine is going to achieve our ambitious climate goals — slashing emissions 45 percent by 2030 and 80 percent by 2050 — we must overhaul the transportation sector. The good news? Maine has begun that effort by increasing the amount of electric vehicle charging stations by 32 percent between 2021 and 2022 and developing a plan to further build out this network. ~ Emily K. Green, Conservation Law Foundation in Maine

These birds trick other birds into raising their chicks

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • June 7, 2023

In a way, it’s hard not to admire the female cowbird. This is a bird that has evolved to not only never need a nest, but also to have other birds raise its young. In the bird world, this is known as brood parasitism. Instead of building a nest, the female cowbird puts all of her energy into producing eggs that she lays in the nests of other bird species. This is happening now in Maine, according to a bird expert with Maine Audubon. It is not uncommon at this time of year to spot the much larger egg of a cowbird tucked in with the tinier eggs laid by the oftentimes smaller bird who built the nest.

The Top 10 Birdwatching Parks in the USA

MAINE ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS • June 6, 2023

#1 – Acadia National Park | Maine

Birds of Acadia National Park: Bald eagle, Atlantic puffin, peregrine falcon, Blackburnian warbler and woodpecker. This park boasts 261 species of birds. The birds of Acadia National Park include birds of prey, seabirds, and boreal birds. Many of the birds live there all year. Some birds do stop in the park during their migrations north and south. The park itself is on the coast of Maine and includes beaches, lakes, cliffs, and mountains. You’ll find that the best places to bird watch are Jordan Pond, Precipice Trail and Cadillac Mountain. Find out more about Acadia National Park here.

Commentary: Bills call for responsible development of Maine’s offshore wind industry

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • June 6, 2023

The dangerous impacts of climate change are already upon us, and unless we take bold – and smart – action, the crisis is going to get worse. A coalition of environmental, labor, faith and frontline climate justice organizations supports a responsible approach to the development of offshore wind that will strengthen our state’s economy, protect workers, benefit Maine communities and produce clean, renewable power. L.D. 1895 creates a procurement schedule and establishes necessary labor, equity, environmental and wildlife standards, while helping to keep offshore wind development outside of Lobster Management Area 1 to protect our vital fisheries and fishing communities. L.D. 1818 sets important environmental and labor standards for port facilities that are needed to support offshore wind development. ~ Maureen Drouin, Maine Conservation Voters, and Francis Eanes, Maine Labor Climate Council

CMP rate hike approved by regulators, will increase home bills nearly $2 next month

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • June 6, 2023

State utility regulators on Tuesday approved a rate hike for Central Maine Power – a compromise that will increase a typical home’s total electric bill by just over 1%, or $1.67, in July and by roughly $5 a month by the middle of 2025. The two-year, $67 million plan reflects a settlement worked out in May by CMP and the Office of the Public Advocate.

Letter: More songbirds or more browntail moths?

TIMES RECORD • June 6, 2023

In January, a 12-year study in the journal Science demonstrated that light pollution is increasing five times faster than previous estimates, doubling every eight years. Bath plans to install 2700K (degrees Kelvin) streetlights. But with improved technology and efficiency, warmer 2200K LEDs cut harmful blue light emissions by 50% compared to 2700K, reducing environmental impact on birds and other wildlife. This of course is a misunderstanding that all lighting engineers are familiar with: Safe lighting levels are based on lumens, not the light color. ~ Russell Clark, Bath

Watchdog group: PFAS is active ingredient in 13% of Maine pesticides

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • June 6, 2023

One in 10 pesticides approved for use in Maine this summer contains a so-called forever chemical. The Environmental Working Group found 13% of state-registered pesticides – or 1,426 out of 10,695 – have PFAS, or a per or poly-fluoroalkyl substance, as an active ingredient, according to a report released Tuesday. Maine compiled a working list of 56 different active ingredients that meet its state-specific definition of a forever chemical.

Acadia seeks bids to design housing in park for seasonal employees

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • June 5, 2023

Acadia National Park is looking for an architect to design new housing in the park to provide beds for between 50 to 60 seasonal employees. Construction on the project — located next to Kebo Golf Course in Bar Harbor on Harden Farm Road —could start as early as next year, park officials said. The housing would be used for seasonal Acadia employees as well as seasonal workers for Friends of Acadia and for the Island Explorer bus system.

Orrington waste-to-energy plant slated for auction as owners struggle to pay bills

MAINE PUBLIC • June 5, 2023

The Penobscot Energy Recovery Company, or PERC, is a 40-acre facility near the Penobscot River that has usually accepted trash from a group of 44 communities that includes Ellsworth and Deer Isle, as well as from commercial waste haulers, and burned it to generate electricity. While it used to be one of the dominant trash processors in the region, it’s had a hard time paying its bills since 2019, when it lost the business of many previous member communities to a new waste facility in Hampden. That's also when it lost a favorable contract to sell power back to the grid. Now, PERC owes money to lenders and is scheduled for a foreclosure auction on July 12. It has idled its boilers and stopped receiving trash from most communities.

How to stop squirrels from moving into your house and burning it down

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • June 5, 2023

There is no avoiding squirrels in Maine. “Those dastardly dudes can be very destructive,” said Keel Kemper, biologist with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. It’s not just wires that are vulnerable to squirrels. They will also gnaw on and damage insulation, woodwork, pipes and cloth. As they chew their way through your home they will urinate and defecate along the way creating a smelly situation and possible health risk. Squirrels also carry diseases. The most common are rabies, leptospirosis and salmonella. “As much as birds love the feed, so do the squirrels.” If people are determined to feed the birds, it’s best done at a distance and with constant upkeep. It’s also important to not provide easy access into your home with trees and tree limbs that squirrels will use as overhead pathways. Look for and eliminate any points of entry. “There are tons of squirrel repellents out there and I am not aware of any that work,” Kemper said.

Heat-trapping carbon dioxide levels are highest in more than 4 million years

ASSOCIATED PRESS • June 5, 2023

The cause of global warming is showing no signs of slowing as heat-trapping carbon dioxide in Earth’s atmosphere increased to record highs in its annual spring peak, jumping at one of the fastest rates on record, officials announced Monday. Carbon dioxide levels in the air are now the highest they’ve been in more than 4 million years because of the burning of oil coal and gas. The last time the air had similar amounts was during a less hospitable hothouse Earth before human civilization took root, scientists said.

World Environment Day

MAINE ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS • June 5, 2023

World Environment Day, held annually on June 5, brings together millions of people from across the globe, engaging them in the effort to protect and restore the Earth. This year marks the event’s 50th anniversary. What are you doing to help our planet's natural environment today?

Rainy, cold weather may have silver lining: fewer browntail moths

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • June 5, 2023

The cold, damp and rainy start to June could mean fewer itchy rashes in the weeks to come. Such weather is ideal for the proliferation of a fungus that can knock back browntail moth caterpillar populations. Thomas Schmeelk, an entomologist with the Maine Forest Service, said he saw many caterpillars that had been killed by the fungus Monday as he was observing conditions at Eagle Island off Harpswell. “It’s not a guarantee, but the rains are coming at just the right time,” Schmeelk said.