West Gardiner to reconsider restrictions for solar

KENNEBEC JOURNAL • September 18, 2023

Six months after four controversial ordinances were set aside, town residents will have a chance to weigh in on the new drafts at a public hearing Thursday. The Small-Scale Solar Energy Systems Ordinance proposes regulation of solar energy systems that encompass 3,000 square feet or less and/or generate 20 kilowatts of electricity or less. Those systems may be located on the ground or mounted on a roof. The ordinance also bans large-scale energy systems that have not been approved before the effective date of the ordinance.

There’s lots of horsing around at Maine’s fall fairs – and many other animals to see

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • September 18, 2023

Maine fairs were started by farmers who were pretty darn proud of their animals and wanted to show them off to the world. So really, they were the first stars. That’s not to say all the extra trappings that fairs have adopted over the years aren’t thrilling and fun and delicious, from the carnival rides and pop concerts to demolition derbies, corn dogs and deep-fried Twinkies. But this year when you venture off to one of Maine’s fall fairs, you might want to pay extra attention to the animals and all they can do, from giving milk or plowing fields to herding sheep or pulling thousands of pounds of weight.

Acadia National Park's fall foliage is peaking later in a warming climate, research finds

MAINE PUBLIC • September 18, 2023

As new research shows that climate change is causing foliage colors to peak two weeks later than in 1950, Acadia National Park is urging visitors to plan accordingly. New research by University of Richmond's Stephanie Spera shows that a warming climate has shifted the peak foliage in Acadia to about the third week in October. Acadia Public Affairs Officer Amanda Pollock says, "It's important for people, if they come a bit later, for them to plan their visit accordingly. Our Island Explorer shuttles aren't going to be running after October 9, and we want people to make sure that they know what they're going to be walking into when they come to the park."

Tens of thousands march to kick off climate summit, demanding end to planet-warming fossil fuels

ASSOCIATED PRESS • September 17, 2023

Yelling that the future and their lives depend on ending fossil fuels, tens of thousands of protesters Sunday kicked off a week in which leaders will try once again to curb climate change primarily caused by coal, oil and natural gas. But protesters say it’s not going to be enough. And they aimed their wrath directly at President Biden, urging him to stop approving new oil and gas projects, phase out current ones, and declare a climate emergency with larger executive powers.

As Maine celebrates its apple harvest, growers say the rainy summer made for a good haul

MORNING SENTINEL • August 17, 2023

Growers across the state marked the beginning of the prime picking season by celebrating the 23rd annual Maine Apple Sunday. Apple farmers across Maine faced a challenging growing season in 2023, with difficult weather making this year’s crop more difficult to grow. Tough and unpredictable conditions have become something of the norm for farmers of all kinds as climate change continues to affect weather patterns and growing seasons.

New analysis proves heat pumps’ mettle in the cold

MAINE MONITOR • September 17, 2023

Maine wants to install hundreds of thousands of electric heat pumps in the coming years to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and lower home energy costs. Maine is more reliant than any other state on that pricey, carbon-intensive fuel. Heat pumps are the state’s favored alternative. These devices work like air conditioners or refrigerators to provide heating and cooling year-round with very high efficiency — meaning you get out much more energy than you put in. Heat pumps’ performance in the coldest weather has vastly improved over the years and, with it, public trust in using this technology in a climate like Maine’s.

Opinion: How can climate denialism withstand these extreme weather events?

MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM • September 17, 2023

The natural disasters brought about by climate change this year have been both global and extreme. Here are just some of the “greatest hits” of 2023: The forests of Canada have been burning nonstop since May. We had historic flooding in Vermont in July. Extreme heat and drought in southern Europe now followed by extreme flooding. The devastating wildfires in Maui were driven by heat and winds from a nearby cyclone. Extensive floods in Brazil have displaced more than 3,500 people. Hilary became the first tropical storm to make landfall in Southern California in 80 years, dumping half a season’s worth of rain in the worst-hit areas. Hong Kong and the Chinese city of Shenzhen flooded by the heaviest rains on record. Republicans need to get their heads out of the sand and start trying to engage in meaningful negotiations with Democrats on climate policy before it is too late and today’s extreme weather events are no longer considered extreme. ~ Sam Rosenthal, retired engineer, Portland

Editorial: Warming oceans foretell changes in fish populations

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • September 17, 2023

New research suggests that they are reasons for ongoing concerns about our oceans and the fish that live in them. Rising ocean temperatures will shift where fish, especially large predatory fish, eat and congregate, studies say. As a result, fishermen and regulators must be ready to change their practices and regulations to preserve these species. And, to preserve the fishing industries and communities that rely on healthy stocks of fish such as tuna and swordfish. As the oceans continue to warm, there will clearly be significant implications throughout the marine food chain. As fish populations shift, that will impact commercial catches – both for bait fish and fish that end up on dinner plates – and the people and communities that rely on them. Understanding and planning for those changes now can help minimize negative consequences.

Mitchell Center to host talk on social-ecological challenges in Maine’s wild shellfish fisheries Sept. 25

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • September 16, 2023

The Senator George J. Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions at the University of Maine will host a talk, “Unlocking the language of change: Understanding social-ecological challenges in Maine’s wild shellfish fisheries,” at 3 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 25. B Lauer will share her journey in understanding the diverse meanings of coastal and fisheries “access” and how communication plays a crucial role in shaping issues in wild intertidal shellfish fisheries in Maine. Free and offered both remotely via Zoom and in person at 107 Norman Smith Hall, UMaine, Orono. Preregister if Zooming.

Cobscook Shores adds 25-acre Pembroke parcel to its holdings

MAINE MONITOR • September 16, 2023

Cobscook Shores, a nonprofit organization run by a millionaire philanthropist from New York, has purchased another piece of coastal property in Washington County, the latest in a series of parcels in the area bought by the group over the past eight years. Cobscook Shores purchased the former Leighton farm, consisting of 25.5 acres along Leighton Point Road and the Pennamaquan River in Pembroke, on Aug. 31, according to real estate records. Charlie Howe, the Cobscook Shores project manager, confirmed the $420,000 purchase. He said the property will be used for cross country skiing and biking for the organization’s youth program, aimed especially at schools on the north side of Cobscook Bay.

Commentary: In Boulder’s eyes, Pine Tree Power is worth the fight

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • September 16, 2023

As clean-energy activists from Boulder, Colorado, and Maine, we urge Mainers to support Question 3. Pine Tree Power is worth the effort! We’re proud of what Boulder won from Xcel Energy in our separation campaign and the decarbonization results for Colorado. Maine also should fight for local control, lower rates, better reliability and service – and a meaningful shot at decarbonization by getting off oil. We also write to take back Boulder’s story, which Central Maine Power is hijacking. ~ Leslie Glustrom and Anne Butterfield

Letter: Three certainties leading to ‘no’ on Pine Tree Power

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • September 16, 2023

How do we make a decision on the Pine Tree Power referendum? There are three certainties. One certainty is extended complex litigation, perhaps extending 10 years or more. Another certainty is that we must quadruple our supply of clean energy. We have an incredible amount already on our plate. A third certainty is that Central Maine Power and Versant aren’t going to accelerate or finance the clean-energy transition while the litigation rolls forward. We are already behind the climate eight-ball and cannot afford to add additional layers of complexity and delay. Vote “no” on the Pine Tree Power referendum. ~ Daniel Amory, Portland

China school has a new well but concerns over water contamination linger

MORNING SENTINEL • September 15, 2023

Students and staff at China Middle School are continuing to rely on bottled water this academic year because of different contaminants that have been found in the school’s water supply. Officials with Regional School Unit 18 say work is underway to install a filtration system for a new well that’s been dug nearby the middle school.

A new land purchase will protect nearly 29,000 acres in Maine's 100-Mile Wilderness

MAINE PUBLIC • September 15, 2023

After a new land purchase, the Appalachian Mountain Club is permanently protecting nearly 130,000 contiguous acres of forestland in Maine's 100-Mile Wilderness. On Thursday, the group announced the purchase -- with the Conservation Fund -- of the nearly 29,000-acre Barnard Forest, which is adjacent to more than 100,000 acres it already holds. The AMC's President and CEO, Nicole Zussman, said the $15.2 million purchase of the property will create nearly 130,000 contiguous acres of protected land — more than twice the size of Acadia National Park — and will allow for continued responsible forestry, carbon sequestration, and other uses.

Lawsuit claiming Versant negligently cut down 973 Christmas trees will continue

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • September 15, 2023

The lawsuit saying Versant Power acted negligently when cutting down 973 Christmas trees under its power lines will continue after Penobscot County Judge Bruce Mallonee declined to dismiss the case Friday morning. Ervin Tower, of Patten, filed a lawsuit in February alleging Versant employees trespassed on his land in September 2022 and cut down the Christmas trees, worth more than $20,000. The trees were grown under high-voltage power lines in a transmission corridor, Versant attorney Arrian Stockdell said.

Bangor public hearing added for Pickett Mountain mining proposal

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • September 15, 2023

The Maine Land Use Planning Commission scheduled an additional public hearing location in Bangor for a Canadian junior mining company’s rezoning application for the Pickett Mountain mining project. The decision came Thursday evening after 54 Maine legislators made the request earlier in the day. The LUPC had scheduled a three-day public hearing on the Wolfden mining project for Oct. 16, 17 and 18, at Stearns High School in Millinocket. But the primarily Democratic legislators said in a letter to the LUPC that people throughout Maine, not just those living in the project area, have an interest in providing comments about mining activity located near treasured natural resources.

Maine gets $1 million in grants to create new hiking trails

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • September 15, 2023

Maine is getting more than $1 million in federal grants for new conservation and outdoor recreation projects, including the purchase of more than 950 acres to create public hiking trails in Windham, New Gloucester and Searsmont. About half of the money, or $496,000, is being awarded to Windham to buy 697 acres of heavily forested land and build a 1.3-mile universal access trail. The Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands will get $268,500 to buy and develop 195 acres of land in New Gloucester as part of a new public lands project, Talking Brook, which is home to scenic brooks, waterfalls and an extensive trail network. Searsmont will get $103,000 to buy 64 acres of undeveloped land along the Georges River and create new outdoor recreational opportunities, including a boat launch, picnic area, hiking trails, and 1,700 feet of universal access walking trails.

Letter: Pine Tree Power has a clear plan to benefit Mainers

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • September 15, 2023

I am writing to combat claims that Pine Tree Power has no plan following the vote this November. This is simply not true. The transition process would begin immediately. there is a clear plan to form the Pine Tree Power company. I would not have spent hundreds of hours collecting signatures in 2021 and 2022 if I were not sure of this. ~ Wil Thieme, Cumberland

Portland chamber slams public power proposal as activists demonstrate

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • September 14, 2023

A Portland business group on Thursday hosted a 45-minute takedown of a public power proposal on the Nov. 7 state ballot as two dozen activists earlier demonstrated their support for a publicly owned utility. The Portland Community Chamber of Commerce opposes the ballot measure, which calls for the takeover of Maine’s two investor-owned utilities and installation of a publicly controlled utility called Pine Tree Power.

Sale of Aroostook County land for new Wildlife Management Area is now finalized

MAINE PUBLIC • September 14, 2023

More than 6,300 acres in Aroostook County are now home to a new Wildlife Management Area. The Conservation Fund purchased the land last November with the intent to sell it to Maine's Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. Thursday, the Foundation announced the Department now owns the property, which is within an hour drive of Millinocket, Lincoln, and Houlton. The area is home to rare species and ecosystems and includes important habitat for Atlantic salmon and deer. It can be used by hunters, anglers, and paddlers.