Opinion: Who do you trust on the Pine Tree Power question?

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • October 17, 2023

When I arrived early for the Pine Tree Power rally at the First Parish Church in Portland last Saturday, Bill McKibben’s warming smile radiated energy from across the pews in the belly of the high-ceilinged space. I’ve followed Bill McKibben’s writings and activism since 1989 when he was among the first to write about the consequences to our planet of burning fossil fuels, “The End of Nature.” He is one of the smartest, most dedicated, well-informed persons in the world on the topic of the climate emergency. McKibben believes the Pine Tree Power question is the most important question on the ballot anywhere in the country. I know there is risk on both sides of this question. I rely on trust in good people to point me toward the best decision. Who do you trust? ~ Kathleen Sullivan, Freeport

Letter: Batteries won’t end electric outages

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • October 17, 2023

The idea of using batteries to “end electric outages”, as proposed by Green Mountain Power in Vermont ( in the BDN on Oct. 13) is like many “green” ideas: very expensive and highly impractical. Batteries will do nothing to fix downed poles and broken wires causing outages; the damage will be just as great as ever. Those who have batteries will be less desperate for repairs, but the article says the batteries will provide power for only two to 48 hours. Over $1,000 per year could be added to each household’s already existing electric bill. Batteries may have a place in the energy mix, but they’ll never end electric outages. Gas or propane generators are cheaper and run as long as needed. ~ Lawrence E. Merril, Bangor

Moosehead summit to focus on economic prosperity

PISCATAQUIS OBSERVER • October 16, 2023

On Nov. 1 the Moosehead Lake Region Economic Development Corporation will bring together leading experts on our regional economy to discuss new ideas and initiatives with businesses and community members. The event will be held at the Blair Hill Inn in Greenville and will run from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and includes a buffet lunch. The morning session will focus on boosting the winter economy. The afternoon is dedicated to several breakout sessions.

LUPC hearing centers on lack of concrete data about Wolfden mine

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • October 16, 2023

Much of the information supplied in a Canadian junior mining company’s rezoning application for a mining project near Pickett Mountain in northern Penobscot County is speculative, according to testimony on the first day of Maine Land Use Planning Commission public hearings on the proposal. Monday’s testimony and cross-examination regarding Wolfden’s application to change the zoning from a general management and protection area to a planned development area, zeroed in on the company’s financial stability, the actual composition of the mine, and the company’s ability to operate a mine.

Pine Tree Power critics say a state public electric utility is risky. Supporters look to Nebraska

MAINE PUBLIC • October 16, 2023

Critics of the Pine Tree Power campaign say the transition to a statewide public electric utility is impractical. But it has been done elsewhere. Nationwide, nearly 50 million Americans are served by public power, and a number of municipal and cooperative power systems are sprinkled across Maine. The state of Nebraska has had a public power system in place for more than 70 years, which evolved from the rural electrification movement. And Nebraska is similar to Maine in some ways.

Zoning hearing underway for proposed northern Penobscot County mining project

MAINE PUBLIC • October 16, 2023

Hearings on the rezoning of a proposed mining site in Northern Penobscot County began this morning in Millinocket. Canada-based Wolfden Resources is asking the Land Use Planning Commission to rezone an area of Pickett Mountain to allow for metallic mineral mining. Attorney Juliet Browne representing Wolfden, said at the opening of the hearing that the company is prepared to meet Maine's high standards for mines. But numerous local groups are arguing the project is a threat to Maine's natural resources and tourism industry.

Climate change is making harmful algae blooms more common. NH scientists are using drones to help.

MAINE PUBLIC • October 16, 2023

Harmful cyanobacteria blooms have become an increasing threat in New Hampshire’s lakes and ponds, as climate change warms up the state’s water and air. But researchers at the University of New Hampshire have developed a new, faster way to check for those toxic algae using drones. Cyanobacteria is a blue-green algae that can be toxic to humans and pets. To keep swimmers safe, officials with the state’s Department of Environmental Services go from lake to lake, gathering samples and testing for the bacteria. But now, scientists say they can use drones with special cameras to fly over the lakes to do the same work more than four times faster, and with high accuracy.

Blue crabs are showing up more often in the warming Gulf of Maine

MAINE PUBLIC • October 16, 2023

"Lately we've been catching around 20 to 30 blue crabs in total per week between our 12 traps, which is way more blue crabs than we've caught in the past," said Laura Crane, a research associate for the Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve. "It's one of the many species that is expanding their range into the Gulf of Maine because conditions are changing, and that the Gulf of Maine is warming faster than 99% of the rest of the world's oceans. Blue crabs are taking advantage of that," said Jessie Batchelder, a fisheries project manager for the environmental research non-profit Manomet, which also studying blue crabs. Others are studying how blue crabs and other range-expanding species might affect the Gulf of Maine ecosystem. Blue crabs are aggressive competitors, said marine scientist Helen Cheng. She recalls watching a blue crab voraciously consume a baby lobster in an experiment tank. "If that’s a snapshot of what we may end up seeing in the Gulf of Maine, that’s very concerning, especially if they can target smaller lobsters," said Cheng, a graduate fellow for the Wells Reserve.

Opinion: How Pine Tree Power could save Mainers money

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • October 16, 2023

The current owners of our electric grid, CMP and Versant Power, have been unable to meet our renewable energy needs. But I believe Pine Tree Power can and will meet our needs, if voters support it in November. Pine Tree Power can save ratepayers billions through lower financing rates and by not having to pay profits to shareholders. As a nonprofit, Pine Tree Power would have no shareholder obligations. This can free up excess revenue to be used to lower rates, or reinvest in the grid. Please vote yes for Pine Tree Power in November. I believe it’s our best chance for a robust, reliable and affordable electric grid that will serve Maine’s current and future needs. ~ Susan Inches, author, teacher and environmental advocate, North Yarmouth

Critics of power line that would bring power from Aroostook County rally in Augusta

MAINE PUBLIC • October 16, 2023

Nearly 100 opponents of a power line that would connect southern Aroostook County to central Maine rallied in Augusta Saturday afternoon. The 1,200-megawatt power line would run from Glenwood Plantation to Coopers Mills, sending electricity south from a 1,000-megawatt wind farm that's proposed for Aroostook County. The Public Utilities Commission accepted LS Power's bid to build the project last year, and it won legislative approval in June. But critics say the 150-foot-tall powerline would cross many farms, woodlots, wetlands, and other environmentally sensitive areas. They'd rather see it follow existing powerline corridors, or highways. Or buried underground.

Opinion: We can electrify the economy without leaving workers behind

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • October 16, 2023

The U.S. economy is in the early stages of an once-in-a-lifetime shift from an economy powered by fossil fuels. To prevent catastrophic climate change, we have to switch quickly to electric vehicles and appliances fueled by renewable energy. But it shouldn’t come at the expense of good-paying jobs – and it doesn’t have to. Workers have legitimate reasons to worry that as automakers shift to EVs they will shut down internal combustion engine and transmission plants and replace them with low-wage battery factory jobs. But an agreement with GM shows that is a choice, and that tackling climate change by shifting to a zero-emission economy does not have to mean leaving workers behind. ~ LA Times Editorial

Do you think you’ve seen a wolf or a mountain lion in Maine?

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • October 16, 2023

Debate rages about whether or not wolves are in Maine. Do you think you’ve seen a wolf in Maine? And, even more controversially, do you think you’ve seen a mountain lion — another apex predator, extirpated from the state close to a century ago? Send an email to BDN outdoors editor jharris@bangordailynews.com with your experiences having possibly spotted a wolf or a mountain lion in Maine.

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

MAINE PUBLIC • October 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 purchased the northern half of the Barnard Forest outright. The Conservation Fund purchased the southern half with the Malone Family Land Preservation Foundation, and the two groups plan to raise funds to eventually grant the AMC full ownership.

Cancer survivors paddle in Norway for therapy and increased awareness

SUN JOURNAL • October 15, 2023

The Lakeside Norway boat dock at 61 Lake Road is where the vessel of the Maine Dragon Boat Club calls home. The club held its final paddle of the season Saturday while teaming up with Cancer Resource Center of Western Maine to promote breast cancer awareness. Roughly a dozen women donning pink scarves, boas, leis, fleeces and other flourishes signaling breast cancer awareness attended the event. For her rehabilitation from cancer surgery and treatment, Sarah Cummings has spent most of her time in the water rather than on it, she said. Swimming has been therapeutic, she said, but added that she’s also a fan of paddling now. “I can see how this would be good too.”

As Maine warms, scientists search for tree species that will keep its forests growing

MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM • October 15, 2023

Through natural seed dispersal, forests can travel about a tenth of a mile every year. But the wind, water and animals that help them on their way cannot carry the seeds far enough to keep up with today’s rapidly warming climate, which is shifting 4 to 6 miles north each year. That gap has severe implications for Maine, the most heavily forested state in the nation, conservation biologist Aleta McKeage said. Our forests are not only essential to wildlife and water quality, they absorb 60% of our carbon emissions and support an industry. “We need to start planting these [heat-tolerant] trees now, or we’re going to have a barren landscape within decades.”

Leave the crowds behind this fall at The Quiet Side of Acadia National Park

MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM • October 15, 2023

If you’re looking to hike to some vistas in Acadia in fall and want to avoid crowds at the popular trails and peaks, consider heading to the part of the park known to locals as The Quiet Side. Technically, it’s the area west of Somes Sound, but the mountains just east of the sound tend to be less crowded, as well.

Betting on broccoli to boost Maine’s farming economy and food availability

MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM • October 15, 2023

In the summer of 2020, Harvesting Good, a fledgling, wholly owned subsidiary of Good Shepherd, had a multimillion-dollar plan to fortify Maine’s agricultural economy. It would help farmers grow more food and establish a midsize processing facility – the only one in New England – to handle their harvests. All profits from the public benefit corporation would support 600 local food pantries served by the nonprofit food bank. Harvesting Good is an extension of the Mainers Feeding Mainers program, which contracts with 95 Maine farms to provide 2 million pounds of fresh produce to food pantries. Harvesting Good’s goal is to break even within five years and eventually generate $20 million to $25 million in sales annually.

Column: Keep your hummingbird feeder

MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM • October 15, 2023

The tide is turning and activity at bird feeders is picking up again. As dropping temperatures kill off the late flying insects, and fruit-bearing shrubs get picked over, birds will return to supplementing their diet with food from feeders. If you are still in a feeder bird drought, be patient! Take the opportunity to clean your feeders, especially your hummingbird feeder, and keep it up for a few more weeks. A common misconception about keeping hummingbird feeders up is that “it keeps them from migrating” but almost the exact opposite is true: it may be the last bit of fuel they need. ~ Maine Audubon Staff Naturalist Doug Hitchcox

Column: Cha-ching! The Steller’s sea eagle made a tangible economic impact on Maine

MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM • October 15, 2023

The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates that birdwatching adds $96 billion to the U.S economy each year and provides 782,000 jobs. I think most Maine birders would agree that the Steller’s sea eagle that spent parts of the last two winters here is the bird of the century so far. The eagle was first confirmed in Maine at Five Islands on Dec. 30, 2021. The bird stayed in the Georgetown/Boothbay region until early March 2022. The eagle appeared again in Maine last winter on Feb. 4, and remained until early March, attracting lots of birders. Researchers estimate birders who traveled to Maine in the winter of 2021-22 to see the rare bird contributed $380,604 and $476,626 to the economies of Maine and Massachusetts. This value is a low estimate for Maine since it does not include the winter of 2023 or February and March 2022. ~ Herb Wilson

Column: Whatever you call it, the ruffed grouse makes for a popular hunt

MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM • October 15, 2023

Most Maine outdoor folks know the difference between a grouse and a partridge. Taxonomically they are one and the same, but if a bird flushes wildly it’s called a grouse; and if it stays on the ground and wanders off on foot it’s a partridge. The ruffed grouse was the king of Maine game birds until the re-introduction of wild turkeys. ~ Bob Humphrey