Laura Graham named Land for Maine's Future Program Director

MAINE GOVERNMENT NEWS • November 30, 2023

Laura Graham has been appointed Land for Maine's Future Program (LMF) Director. Graham brings wide-ranging experience and knowledge of conservation easement and land acquisition transactions, including strategic project selection, supportive policy, and successful funding and implementation. Currently a Senior Planner at the LMF, Graham brings expertise in competitive grant programs to safeguard working farmland, working waterfronts, and public access to recreational or naturally significant lands. With a background as a trial lawyer, Graham dedicated years to advocating in contested civil proceedings. She is the board chair for the Ecology Learning Center, a location-based charter high school in Unity, where she remains steadfast in her belief that educating the next generation is a paramount responsibility.

Under new EPA proposal, Maine would have to replace thousands of lead pipes in a decade

MAINE PUBLIC • November 30, 2023

A new proposal from the federal Environmental Protection Agency calls for the replacement of some 9 million lead water pipes over the next decade. In Maine, recent EPA data suggest there are more than 18,000 lead pipes that carry water to homes, schools and other buildings, which represent 0.2% of the nation's lead service lines. Pete Nichols, director of the Maine chapter of the Sierra Club, said the announcement is long overdue, even though Maine is ahead of the curve in many ways. Maine banned lead pipes much earlier than other states. And under Maine law, four parts per billion is an acceptable level of lead exposure. The federal government is now proposing that lead action levels be lowered from 15 to 10 parts per billion.

Pressure builds to eliminate fossil fuel use as oil executive, under fire, takes over climate talks

ASSOCIATED PRESS • November 30, 2023

Pressure to phase out fossil fuels mounted Thursday on the oil company chief who took over fragile international climate negotiations that opened in Dubai amid concerns about what some say are contradictory dual roles. United Nations and climate talks leaders might have relieved some of the pressure with an early victory they called unprecedented. Negotiators unanimously approved much-fought over plans to launch and fund a new program to compensate poorer nations hit by floods, storms, drought and other climate extremes. Several nations, led by host United Arab Emirates, immediately pledged more than $420 million for the new fund, which took 30 years to approve.

Documents reveal NextEra's hidden attempts to derail CMP's transmission line corridor

MAINE PUBLIC • November 30, 2023

NextEra Energy’s attempts to derail a transmission corridor through western Maine involved a significant secret donation to the Maine Democratic Party in 2018 as well as the 2019 financing of a group that helped organize a referendum to scuttle the project, according to new documents released by the state’s campaign finance watchdog. The documents provide a more complete picture of the energy giant’s efforts to halt the New England Clean Energy Connect, a $1 billion project that would dump 1,200 megawatts of Canadian hydropower into the regional grid. NextEra, which owns the Seabrook nuclear power plant in N.H., stands to lose tens of millions of dollars every year if the NECEC comes online. It spent $20 million supporting a 2021 referendum aimed at killing the project.

Court backs state in denial of Union River dams certificate

MAINE PUBLIC • November 30, 2023

The relicensing for two Union River dams is delayed once again, after a superior court justice backed the Board of Environmental Protection's decision to not issue a water quality certificate. The two dams, owned by a subsidiary of Brookfield Renewable, are covered by one federal license, which expired in 2018. The dams need the water quality certificate as part of the relicensing program. "This is excellent news, and it reinforces what both the DEP and BEP and many of the people within the public have said for quite some time, that the water quality has degraded as a result of the dams," Shaw said. He says the dams are over 100 years old, and Brookfield should be required to modernize them in the relicensing process.

‘North Woods Law’ warden no longer works for department

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • November 30, 2023

Jeremy Judd of Mechanic Falls no longer works as a warden for the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife effective Wednesday, a department spokesperson said Thursday. Judd was placed on paid administrative leave on Nov. 3 after a member of the public filed a  complaint against him to the Maine Warden Service. This is the second time the department had put Judd, who was in the television show “North Woods Law” in 2016, on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation into his conduct.

Opinion: LS Power faces lengthy process for proposed transmission line

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • November 30, 2023

There are many regulatory checkpoints at which the proposed LS Power line could be derailed — including contract negotiations between the major players — not to mention by action from the Maine Legislature and the Maine Judicial Branch. I hope this project succeeds and is narrowly tailored to do as little harm as practical to the environment and affected Mainers, keeping in mind that  “perfect” is not an option and “ideal” is not commensurate with the challenges our electric grid faces. But LS has a long road ahead with many potential barriers. ~ Tyler Hadyniak, chair, Freedom Planning Board

Rare lobster found in Maine is two genders and two colors

WASHINGTON POST • November 30, 2023

A rare dual-color and dual-gender lobster has become a curiosity and a sensation since being captured this month off the coast of Maine. Internet fans have named the two-toned crustacean “Bowie,” after the late rocker David Bowie who famously blurred gender lines and had two different eye colors. Jacob Knowles, a Maine lobsterman, said he was fascinated after his friend caught Bowie in mid-November, and he began featuring the unusual lobster in videos on his Instagram and TikTok accounts, which together have more than 3 million followers.

Maine will no longer require older heating systems to be disconnected to get heat pump rebates

MAINE PUBLIC • November 30, 2023

Efficiency Maine is loosening new requirements for heat pump rebates. Executive Director Michael Stoddard says it is backing away from an insistence that older heating systems be "disconnected" or hooked to a generator in order to receive state rebates. Efficiency Maine is now only recommending older heating systems be turned off, or thermostats turned down. Efficiency Maine is sticking with its revamped rebate program that will offer state rebates only for whole-house installations. He points out a federal rebate remains available for people installing a heat pump unit designed to heat just a part of a home, like a single room.

Borealis: How Moosehead became a mountain biking destination

MAINE PUBLIC • November 29, 2023

Maine has turned into a mountain biking destination, and the Moosehead Lake region is no exception. Progress has already been made on dozens of miles of trails in the Greenville area, and with more on the way, there's no doubt that the mountain biking scene will continue to grow.

Annual Measures of Growth report measures 30 performance indicators in Maine

MAINE PUBLIC • November 29, 2023

The annual Measures of Growth report was released Wednesday, a compilation of more than 30 performance indicators in Maine. The Maine Development Foundation says the state earned six gold stars including for environmental stewardship. Eight red flags include high energy costs.

Documents reveal NextEra’s hidden efforts to oppose transmission line corridor

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • November 29, 2023

In 2018-19, NextEra tried to stop the New England Clean Energy Connect corridor because it was at risk of losing tens of millions of dollars a year if a competing source of lower-cost Canadian hydropower came into New England. NextEra was the primary donor to the Stop the Corridor campaign, pitching in $20 million. Stop the Corridor agreed to a $50,000 fine. Alpine Initiatives, a front, agreed to a $160,000 fine for failing to register as a political action committee and not filing a campaign finance report. Alpine funneled $150,000 from NextEra to the Democratic Party just before the 2018 election. NextEra consultants and the Bernstein Shur law firm, which worked for NextEra to stop the corridor, hoped Democratic officials would oppose the NECEC. However, Gov. Janet Mills, the Democratic candidate for governor, never dropped her public support for the corridor project.

Opinion: Maine’s climate goals must include clean vehicle standards

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • November 29, 2023

The climate crisis threatens the natural resources that define our state’s shared identity. The Maine Board of Environmental Protection is moving forward with a standard for cars — Advanced Clean Cars II (ACCII) — that would bring more zero-emission cars to Maine. It put off action on a similar rule for trucks — Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT). Adopting these standards could help drive down the cost of zero-emission vehicles for Maine people and businesses. They would also reduce toxic air pollution that harms public health, and save money for drivers and fleet owners on fuel and maintenance costs. Join us in calling on our leaders to implement these important standards now. ~ Sen. Stacy Brenner, co-chair, Environment and Natural Resources Committee, and Rep. Lynne Williams, co-chair Transportation Committee

Mainers will pay $30 less per month on average for electricity in 2024

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • November 29, 2023

The standard-offer rate for Central Maine Power customers will decrease by 35%; Versant Power customers will see a 24% drop. The decreases are the result of a big drop in natural gas prices.

Annual Maine Measures of Growth report released

MAINE ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS • November 29, 2023

Since 1994, the Maine Development Foundation’s annual Measures of Growth has tracked 25+ indicators that provide a comprehensive snapshot of how Maine’s economy is faring. For 2023, the Council assigned Gold Stars for significant progress, including on air and water quality, and sustainable forestlands. Red flags included the cost of energy.

Letter: Clean cars are the best way forward for Maine

CENTRAL MAINE • November 29, 2023

Maine can take a cue from the past and give a nod to the future by acknowledging when a modern technology is rising, and grab hold. Modern EVs get hundreds of miles of range to get you from here to there in comfort. They are the safest, most reliable, most pleasurable and the best bang for your buck. Nobody expects them to replace every work truck and skidder in the state, but for the majority of hard-working people, an EV is the right choice for their daily driver, year-round. ~ Travis Ritchie, Mechanic Falls

Camden couple to pay $215K for applying herbicides on neighbor’s property

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • November 28, 2023

A St. Louis, Missouri couple with property in Camden will pay more than $215,200 after violating shoreland zoning laws by cutting down trees and applying herbicides on a neighbor’s property that’s near a local beach. Under a consent agreement with the town, Arthur and Amelia Bond must pay $180,000 as a penalty for the violations, as well as an estimated $30,700 for environmental testing and monitoring. They’ll also be liable for the costs of potential contamination found on town property. They have an additional settlement with the neighbor whose land they worked on, Lisa Gorman, and a consent agreement with the state Board of Pesticide Control. The latter agreement requires them to pay $4,500 for unlawful application of the herbicide Tebuthiuron.

On Giving Tuesday, please support Maine Environmental News

MAINE ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS • November 28, 2023

Giving Tuesday is not about Giving Up. We don’t and we hope you won’t. Today and everyday, we at RESTORE: The North Woods are not letting up on our efforts to create parks, save forests, and protect the wildlife that are vital to a livable Earth. And we provide this fee-free news clipping service. Please make a special gift of $30, $300, $3,000 — or whatever you can afford.

Brunswick climate task force recommends emission reduction targets

TIMES RECORD • November 28, 2023

Brunswick’s Climate Action Task Force next week will request the Town Council approve emission reduction targets to mitigate the effect of climate change. The task force, created earlier this year after the state received a $50,000 state grant to formulate a Climate Action Plan, is recommending the council approve emission reduction targets of 65% by 2030 and net zero by 2050 for the entire community. The task force is also recommending a net-zero reduction target for municipal operations, including schools, by 2040.