The most comprehensive online source of conservation news and events in Maine and beyond, edited by Jym St. Pierre
WASHINGTON POST • December 15, 2023
The Biden administration on Friday unveiled the framework of its plan for achieving one of the most elusive goals in the fight against global warming: making jet travel more climate-friendly. The proposal calls for giving subsidies to support the development of so-called sustainable aviation fuels, capable of powering jet engines from agricultural products.
MAINE PUBLIC • December 15, 2023
A Kansas-based company has officially purchased the former Androscoggin Mill in Jay, and plans to repurpose it for new manufacturing uses.JGT2 Redevelopment this week completed its purchase of the former paper mill, which was shut down earlier this year. Partner Tony McDonald said the company plans to demolish about 900,000 square feet of buildings on the site, while retaining the remaining 475,000 square feet. "This is where the paper machines were, and where the warehousing and shipping was located. And those are just spectacular, heavy industrial buildings with 65-foot clear ceiling heights, high capacity overhead cranes, heavy power, heavy construction. And they're absolutely perfect for other types of manufacturing," McDonald said. The company has held early conversations with a few groups about the future of the site.
KENNEBEC JOURNAL • December 15, 2023
Jane Brogan remembers riding Sancy, one of the many horses she once owned, into the vast woodlands she owned with her husband Jim, in Fayette. The longtime Fayette resident couple has now donated the 53-acre Bamford Pond Woodland Conservation Area to the Kennebec Land Trust. The conservation area protects scenic woodland and wetland habitats. The land is home to animals like deer, black bears and moose. Jane said the donation was inspired by her parents. “When my mother died in 1997, she donated 17 acres” to the Kennebec Land Trust. The land trust has conserved 7,753 acres with 58 miles of trails.
SUN JOURNAL • December 15, 2023
What could anyone have against holly? Plenty if you are an ecologist. This cheery herald of Christmas, with its serrated green leaves and red berries, has become an invader, crowding out native plants on the forest floor. And the most fearsome of the 500 species is the beloved English holly. Holly joins other beautiful non-indigenous plants now threatening less glamorous natives in the North American wilds. Purple Loosestrife, for example, with its striking spikes of purple flowers, have taken over wetlands. ~ Froma Harrop
PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • December 15, 2023
While we appreciate all of the recent discussion surrounding the Portland International Jetport’s plans to add additional parking to serve the increase in passenger demand, many of the alternative ideas suggested are not viable. We explored a wide variety of options to achieve the need for increased parking. The existing cellphone lot area is included and becomes part of this proposed parking project. The existing Pink Lot is bounded by wetlands and an easement, which limits the amount of expansion that can occur there. There is always a balancing of priorities when considering removing trees. Increasing bus routes in Portland is not going to solve the demand issue as the Jetport serves the entire state of Maine as well as southern New Hampshire. ~ Paul Bradbury, Portland International Jetport
PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • December 15, 2023
The seven-person Maine Board of Environmental Protection has the power to dictate the number of future electric vehicles on Maine roads (“Maine considering California-style incentives to encourage electric vehicle sales,” Dec. 13) . I’m reeling to think that these individuals, who are not elected and do not represent the people of Maine or our free market, have this liberty. The people of Maine must wake up! The technology has yet to be advanced and a panel forcing the market will not turn fantasy into reality. ~ Vickie Shane, Buxton
SUN JOURNAL • December 14, 2023
JGT2 Redevelopment, based in Kansas, announced Thursday that it has purchased the defunct Androscoggin paper mill buildings and 1,000 acres on Riley Road. Pixelle stopped production of paper in March and shut down the mill permanently. The plan is to demolish the south end of the mill and redevelop the north side. JGT2 proposes to restart the cogeneration plant to produce power to sell to the grid while redeveloping the properties associated with the former mill into a mix of industrial, manufacturing and distribution components.
RUMFORD FALLS TIMES • December 14, 2023
The Poodunck Snowmobile Club has a new $250,000 trail groomer, paid in part by a $135,000 federal grant. The club maintains about 50 miles of trails.
PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • December 14, 2023
A group of residents that includes current and former lawmakers has filed a federal lawsuit challenging a law passed by voters in November that restricts foreign spending in referendum campaigns. The suit argues that the law approved by voters as Question 2 on the November ballot violates the freedom of speech, right to petition the government, and freedom of the press under the First and 14th amendments.
BANGOR DAILY NEWS • December 13, 2023
Climate change will continue to impact fisheries and other marine industries that our coastal economies rely on. Maine has an opportunity to take steps toward addressing this issue through the implementation of offshore wind in the Gulf of Maine, which has the potential to supply a significant amount of renewable energy for the state to help us transition away from fossil fuels and invest in a renewable energy economy. Offshore wind production also has the opportunity to create a new industry and jobs in the clean energy sector. A new port and industry in Seaport could provide continuous employment in family-supporting jobs as well as bringing additional families and jobs to the midcoast area. As residents of the midcoast, we support this project. ~ Audrey Hufnagel, 17, Maine Youth for Climate Justice; Cletis Boyer, 83, Third Act Maine
PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • December 14, 2023
The COP28 climate summit just concluded in Dubai. The human population explosion of the last century was made possible, in large part, by the burning of fossil fuels. And this comes down to food production. Fossil-fuel derived fertilizers increased crop yields two to five times over the past century. Farm machinery powered by fossil fuels created labor efficiencies impossible through human and/or animal-based labor. How do we feed the Earth’s population without fossil fuels? ~ Tom Meuser, Portland
SUN JOURNAL • December 14, 2023
In a recent column (“Climate issues call for facts, not militancy,” Dec. 9), Cal Thomas trounced the “false doctrine” of the “climate alarmists” and advised his readers to “avoid a ‘scientific consensus’ on climate change.” So let’s toss the ginormous fact that “more than 99.9% of peer-reviewed scientific papers agree that climate change is mainly caused by humans.” ~ William LaRochelle, Lewiston
BANGOR DAILY NEWS • December 13, 2023
According to preliminary results of the department’s survey at least 20 percent of wells in a dozen Maine towns had levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) above the department’s safety threshold of 20 parts per trillion: Benton, Cutler, Unity, Unity Township, Fairfield, Albion, Corinna, Jackson, Knox, Thorndike, Oakland, and Sidney.
BANGOR DAILY NEWS • December 13, 2023
Members of the Land Use Planning Commission questioned a Canadian mining company’s finances and its plan to excavate metallic minerals in the middle of the state’s waters and wildlife habitat. Commissioners deliberated Wednesday at Jeff’s Catering in Brewer following 11 months of document gathering, public comment and four days of public hearings on Wolfden’s application to change the zoning for 374 acres at Pickett Mountain in northern Penobscot County for a proposed underground metallic mineral mine. The deliberations were held to provide guidance to LUPC staff who will draft a recommendation to either approve or deny the application.
MAINE PUBLIC • December 13, 2023
A plan to build another surface parking lot at the Portland International Jetport came under the scrutiny of airport neighbors at a meeting Tuesday night. Jetport officials said the parking is needed to meet the demands of a growing state and changing traveler habits. But for some community members, the expansion flies in the face of the region's climate goals.
MAINE PUBLIC • December 13, 2023
The Maine Department of Environmental Protection has found high levels of PFAS, also known as 'forever chemicals,' in roughly a third of drinking water well samples tested in the town of Unity. The DEP's Susanne Miller says the agency is in the process of investigating PFAS contamination at more than a thousand sites where treated municipal sludge was previously applied.
MAINE PUBLIC • December 13, 2023
State officials are deliberating on a rezoning request that would allow for a metallic mineral mine in northern Penobscot County. The Land Use Planning Commission discussed the request from Ontario-based Wolfden Resources at a meeting this morning. After several days of hearings on the issue in October, it's the first time commissioners have debated the issue. Several members say they are concerned about environmental impacts from the mine, especially given the history of the industry.
WASHINGTON POST • December 13, 2023
Nations reached a breakthrough climate agreement Wednesday, calling for a transition away from fossil fuels in an unprecedented deal that targets the greatest contributors to the planet’s warming. Countries agreed to transition from fossil fuels “in a just, orderly and equitable manner” while “accelerating action in this critical decade, so as to achieve net zero by 2050 in keeping with the science.” The deal came swiftly – with no discussion or objection – in a packed room in Dubai following two weeks of negotiations and rising contention. It is the first time a global climate deal has specifically called to curb the use of fossil fuels.
MAINE PUBLIC • December 13, 2023
An initiative passed by voters that bans foreign governments and affiliated organizations from spending on state and local referendum campaigns is being challenged in federal court. The suits were filed by Central Maine Power and Versant, and jointly by the Maine Press Association and the Maine Association of Broadcasters. The utilities claim the new law infringes on their right of free speech. The media lawsuit say the law's requirement "imposes a censorship mandate on news outlets." Maine state Sen. Rick Bennett, who chaired a group supporting the foreign campaign ban, said the board members of the companies and media outlets "ought to be ashamed of themselves." They are enabling foreign governments "to threaten the integrity of our elections."
PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • December 13, 2023
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issued a final rule that notes the best available science reveals that lead ammunition and tackle have negative impacts on both wildlife and human health. But the agency is phasing out lead ammunition over three years in just eight national wildlife refuges; that allows hunters to leave behind tons of lead in hundreds of other refuges that will kill animals from 130-plus species. Ask the Maine commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to ban the use of lead to protect our iconic wildlife across the state. ~ Gina Garey, Animal Wellness Action, Portland
