Water flows freely in Freeport after local organizations remove three dams

NEWS CENTER MAINE • October 25, 2023

The waters of Frost Gully Dam in Freeport are now free-flowing for the first time in over a century thanks to Maine Water Company. The organization removed three constricting dams this week, after determining they were negatively impacting wildlife. Maine Water partnered with Trout Unlimited, the Freeport Conservation Trust, and several other federal, state, and local agencies and organizations to remove the dams that were originally used for water supply purposes.

Brunswick-Topsham farmers market named best in Maine a second time

FORECASTER • October 25, 2023

The Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust Farmers’ Market has been operating in award-winning style for the second year in a row. The market was awarded “Best Farmers Market in Maine,” given as part of the National Farmers Market Celebration hosted by the American Farmland Trust and the Farmers Market Coalition. The Saturday market at Crystal Spring Farm in Brunswick empowers vendors from around the state to sell a variety of products and educate people about the values of home-grown agriculture.

Letter: Stop heavy metal mining near Mount Katahdin

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • October 25, 2023

I feel lucky to live in a state with such a wealth of natural beauty. It is our responsibility to maintain and protect these natural resources for the future of our state. I was shocked to learn of the Canadian Wolfden Resources mining company’s renewed efforts to site a heavy metals mine only 20 miles from Mount Katahdin. This mine’s operation would irreversibly pollute Maine’s waterways, destroy protected wilderness and harm wildlife, all for minimal employment or material gains. I encourage people to voice their concerns through email at wolfdenrezoning.LUPC@maine.gov. The comment period is open until Nov. 2. ~ Della Huntley, South Portland

Maine board supports new rules to boost electric car sales despite lingering concerns

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • October 24, 2023

A state board decided Tuesday to advance — but not yet adopt — rules that environmentalists proposed to quicken Maine’s transition to electric vehicles and largely phase out the sale of gas-powered cars while not supporting similar rules for trucks. The Maine Board of Environmental Protection agreed to have Department of Environmental Protection staff move forward with preparing rules spelled out in a petition submitted earlier this year by the Natural Resources Council of Maine, along with allies including the Sierra Club and Conservation Law Foundation.

Portland company enters deal with Shell to generate renewable energy from Mississippi River currents

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • October 24, 2023

A Portland renewable power company announced Tuesday that it has a deal with energy giant Shell for a Mississippi River demonstration project to generate electricity from river currents. ORPC signed a contract with the Shell Technology-Marine Renewable Program for the purchase of the Maine company’s two next-generation Modular RivGen devices. They will be deployed next year as a technology demonstration at a Shell facility on the lower Mississippi River. “We believe this is a real opportunity to scale our business rapidly and also be a point of excitement for our industry,” CEO Stuart Davies said.

Inside Poland Spring’s Hidden Attack on Water Rules It Didn’t Like

NEW YORK TIMES • October 24, 2023

When Maine lawmakers tried to rein in large-scale access to the state’s freshwater this year, the effort initially gained momentum. The state had just emerged from drought. Then a Wall Street-backed giant called BlueTriton stepped in. BlueTriton owns many of the nation’s biggest brands, including Poland Spring, which is named after a natural spring in Maine that is no longer commercially viable. Maine’s bill threatened BlueTriton’s access to the groundwater it bottles and sells. The legislation had already gotten a majority vote on the committee and was headed toward the full Legislature, when a lobbyist for BlueTriton proposed an amendment that would gut the entire bill. After learning about BlueTriton’s proposed 45-year contract at its Lincoln facility, a neighbor led calls for a public hearing, arguing that deals were being cut behind closed doors and that Poland Spring would be paying too little for millions of gallons of water. The hearing she sought is now scheduled for next month.

New gate more than doubles length of popular Piscataquis County hike

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • October 23, 2023

Gates that block vehicle access to logging roads owned by Pine State Timber near Katahdin Iron Works have changed how people can get to a popular trail that goes to the peak of White Cap Mountain. The White Brook Trail, owned by the Maine Appalachian Trail Land Trust, is a 3.3-mile stretch that provides relatively easy access to the mountain. Until the gates were erected, hikers drove close to the trailhead and parked in a nearby gravel pit. With a gate blocking access, hikers must walk the 3.6 miles to the trailhead before hiking the 3.3 miles up White Cap Mountain.

Biden Administration designates Maine's largest cities as forest bioproducts hubs

MAINE PUBLIC • October 23, 2023

The Biden Administration has designated Maine's largest cities as one of the nation's thirty-one regional tech hubs. The Forest Bioproducts Advanced Manufacturing Tech Hub is comprised of the cities of Portland and Bangor, plus the Lewiston-Auburn and Augusta-Waterville metropolitan areas. Heather Johnson, the Commissioner for the Maine Department of Economic Community Development, says the designation aims to cement Maine as a global leader in the production of wood-extract substitutes for plastics and other fossil fuel-based materials.

Unions say Woodland Pulp has hired temporary workers to cross picket line

MAINE PUBLIC • October 23, 2023

The three unions representing workers at Woodland Pulp in Baileyville say that the mill has hired about two dozen temporary workers to cross the picket line and replace those on strike. Dan Loudermilk, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers official representing those at the mill, said the company's action has further motivated those on strike. Loudermilk said union members are not worried about the possibility of the temporary workers becoming permanent, as they were hired through a Minnesota-based company. About 80 union members at the Woodland mill have been on strike since Oct. 14.

Forecasters: Maine electricity rates could fall — or rise — in response to global conflicts

MAINE PUBLIC • October 23, 2023

A dip in natural gas prices from last year could moderate Maine electricity rates, but regulators caution that the war between Israel and Hamas threatens that trend. Natural gas prices are currently running about 25% less than they were a year ago, when Russia's invasion of Ukraine sent prices soaring.Maine ratepayers felt that spike acutely because electricity generation here is heavily reliant on natural gas. Public Utilities Commission chairman Phil Bartlett told the state's revenue forecasting commission Monday that he's hopeful that the current drop in natural gas will provide some relief in electricity rates, just as it has for some other states in the region. However, Bartlett said the conflict in the Middle East could send prices back on the upswing, especially if the war between Israel and Hamas widens.

BirdSafe Maine, Oct 23

MAINE AUDUBON • October 23, 2023

Nick Lund, Advocacy and Outreach Manager at Maine Audubon and Co-founder of the BirdSafe Maine project, talks about how millions of birds are disappearing at an alarming rate and what we can do to help. At Curtis Library, Brunswick, October 23, 7 p.m. Hosted by Merrymeeting Audubon.

Talk held at UMaine for ‘Productive Disagreement’ in Lake Associations

MAINE (ORONO) CAMPUS • October 23, 2023

A talk was held at the Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions on Oct. 16 regarding the “Productive Disagreement” in Lake Associations and how to be active in conservation for lakes and camps in Maine. The Mitchell Center welcomed Katie Swacha and Elizabeth Payne, an assistant professor and lecturer, respectively, in the English Department at UMaine. The purpose of the talk was to bring awareness to everyday people about what they can do to preserve the environment for all camps, lakes and waterside recreation areas.

Maine is named a forest bioproducts tech hub, opening door to investment

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • October 23, 2023

Maine has been designated a federal Forest Bioproducts Tech Hub and could receive $50 million to $75 million to accelerate research and development of natural polymers and other wood fiber bioproducts to replace plastics and toxic chemicals, Gov. Janet Mills announced Monday. The designation comes with a $500,000 planning grant and opens the door to significant further investment from the Biden administration, which would signal that Maine’s forest bioproducts sector has the potential for rapid growth in a foundational industry that has been flagging.

Decline of endangered whale population slows

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • October 23, 2023

The decline of the North Atlantic right whale could be slowing based on a new population estimate, but scientists warn that a leveling off of their overall number does not mean this critically endangered species is rebounding. Records show the population has lost an average of 12 whales a year over the last decade, but scientists note that about two-thirds of right whale deaths go undetected.

A warming Gulf Stream is edging ever closer to shore

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • October 23, 2023

Over the last 20 years, the Gulf Stream has warmed faster than the global oceans and shifted closer to the shore, increasing the likelihood that the tropical ocean current could suddenly impact U.S. coastal fisheries, according to a new study. Scientists say it is too early to know for sure, but increasingly warm core rings that break away from the Gulf Stream closer to shore could have a significant impact on environmental conditions, and marine wildlife within the Gulf of Maine.

Commentary: Pine Tree Power good for both consumers and climate goals

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • October 23, 2023

I ran for office to fight climate change, and I support Question 3 because I believe consumer ownership is essential to securing an affordable and reliable grid in our clean energy transition. The Natural Resources Council of Maine endorsed Pine Tree Power, as did the Sierra Club, Maine Youth for Climate Justice, 350 Maine and the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association. These Maine-based environmental and climate advocacy groups support Question 3 because they recognize that transitioning to a consumer-owned utility can help Maine meet its climate objectives. Vote “yes” on Question 3 for a brighter Maine future. ~ Rep. Sophie Warren, Scarborough

Letter: Pine Tree Power question should fall to state commission

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • October 23, 2023

I watched the AARP Webinar about Maine’s Question 3 on the November ballot. It is clear that there are huge unanswered questions that make it too risky to vote “yes” on this proposal to create Pine Tree Power. Instead of putting this question on the ballot, the Legislature should have created a commission to develop the information needed to make an intelligent decision. The biggest unanswered question is “How much will it cost?” The second biggest unanswered question is, “If the vote is ‘yes,’ how long will it take to transition?” I will be voting “no” on Question 3. The webinar was recorded. I hope that everyone who didn’t watch it live will take the time to go to the Maine AARP website and watch the recording. ~ Douglas Robb, Bath

Editorial: Why are governments still subsidizing fossil fuels?

BLOOMBERG • October 23, 2023

Targets for carbon abatement have gotten more ambitious and policies to address the challenge are proliferating. Yet one measure shows how badly these efforts still fall short. Last year, global fossil-fuel subsidies expanded to a new record — $7 trillion, roughly 7% of global gross domestic output. With some of their policies, governments push fossil-fuel demand in the right direction; then, with generous subsidies for pollution and climate change, they push it back. Insisting that people pay full price for fuel would not only reduce consumption and slash emissions. Finally, cutting subsidies raises revenue, which allows for higher spending on worthwhile goals, lower government borrowing and/or cuts in other taxes.

Deep freezes last winter and spring cost some fruit farmers in southern Maine part of their harvests

MAINE PUBLIC • October 22, 2023

Extreme temperature drops last winter and spring cost some fruit farmers in southern Maine part of their harvests. In May a late spring freeze ruined Ellen McDougal's Honeycrisp and Evercrisp varieties due to their early bloom time. "We were at full bloom. The 17th of May everything was in full bloom, pink and white. The next morning we went out and they were brown, all the blossoms were brown. Some varieties bloom earlier and those are the ones that were affected," McDougal said.McDougal says the subzero temperatures Maine experienced in February caused other fruits to suffer as well. "We lost all the peaches in February,” she said. The University of Maine School of Food and Agriculture reports that the state's apple crop is about half of what it could have been this year.