Column: There’s nothing radical about clean cars rule

MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM • January 21, 2024

We can no longer think of “climate change” as a distant danger to us, like when the sun runs out of hydrogen and dies in 2 billion years. It’s happening now. I’m in favor of the Legislature being in charge of authorizing and enforcing car standards that meet the federal Clean Air Act. Roughly 50% of Maine’s carbon dioxide emissions come from “transportation.” We’ve got to figure out ways to reduce that. I absolutely want more electric vehicles on the road, and we need more infrastructure to make that happen. I’m concerned that the Maine GOP isn’t interested in helping. I’m worried that rather than taking the issue of emission elimination seriously and balancing the needs of our economy and the needs of the environment, they’ll just yell about it to win votes on the campaign trail. ~ Victoria Hugo-Vidal

Column: Who’s nesting in January?

MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM • January 21, 2024

On this cold Sunday, while we read the news in the comfort of our homes, let’s take a second to acknowledge the feathered parents sitting on nests right now, incubating eggs that will become the next generation of our backyard birds. One of the most well known of these early nesters is the bald eagle. A tiny black-capped chickadee only needs about two weeks after hatching to fledge, but a massive bald eagle can take up to 14 weeks. Rivaling our eagles for the “Eager Nester” award is the great horned owl. ~ Maine Audubon staff naturalist Doug Hitchcox

Editorial: We need to rethink rebuilding – and think about retreating

MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM • January 21, 2024

Recent storms have wreaked more havoc up and down the coast of our state, ripping through sand dunes, homes, businesses and other structures. The overwhelming instinct – whether on the coast or inland – is to take immediate steps to repair and rebuild. For most of history, this approach was a sound one. In 2024, however, it does not hold up. Funding that might otherwise be used for rebuilding or resisting storms’ effects can be channeled into the cost of relocation. The writing’s on the wall; the cost is going to become human and involve the loss of life unless we take the appropriate steps to move out of harm’s way.

Letter: Republican attitude toward climate change leaves me cold

MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM • January 21, 2024

Why is it that Republicans offer no climate solutions in their platforms as they run for office? Or worse, why is it that many of them deny global warming exists? The proof of it is in the businesses that must shut down as they are repeatedly damaged by coastal flooding. Republicans complain we cannot afford to invest in our infrastructure, despite that fact that doing so is what made our country great. Young voters should realize that ignoring or denying a problem does not make it go away. The facts don’t change if you ignore them or fail to plan for your future. ~ Tracy Floyd, Cape Elizabeth

Letter: Ordinary citizens at mercy of climate change

MORNING SENTINEL • January 21, 2024

Between tornadoes, mass flooding, and massive rainfalls, the ordinary citizen is at the mercy of climate change. The fossil fuel industries and the government of developed countries around the world have known about the effects of CO2 on the environment since 1950s. Yet they behave in a short-sighted manner for greed and power at the expense of the citizens throughout the world and planet Earth. Populations of animals will go extinct because they cannot adapt to the rapidly changing environment. Please vote for candidates in this coming election who have the backbone and courage to stand up and make legislation to save our planet and the future of our children. ~ Susan Surabian, Skowhegan

Letter: If storms surprised you, you haven’t been paying attention

MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM • January 21, 2024

Why is everyone so surprised at the destruction wrought by last week’s storms? For decades, climate scientists have warned of impending damage to coastal communities resulting from rising sea levels and increasingly extreme weather. Whether one believes that human activity or natural meteorological cycles are to blame, the data clearly indicates that low-lying areas adjacent to the sea are in grave danger. Let this be our wake-up call. ~ Chris Korzen, Portland

Letter: Everyone should make climate a priority

CENTRAL MAINE • January 21, 2024

Climate change is causing severe costly impacts and Maine has not been spared. NOAA released an early January report stating that there were 28 billion-dollar weather disasters in the US in 2023, with a price tag of $92.9 billion, not including December’s East Coast storms. It is critical that our state and federal legislators know our concerns about global warming and the need for legislative action. Transitioning from fossil fuels is the only way to protect our irreplaceable planet for future generations. The Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act (H.R. 5744) would reduce emissions by pricing carbon fuels at their source and sending the cash back to American households. ~ Pauline Paré, Etna

State is using ‘community science’ to study golden eagles in Maine

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • January 21, 2024

Maine has already brought the bald eagle back from the edge of oblivion after the pesticide DDT nearly wiped out the birds in the state. Today, the state is home to a healthy population of bald eagles estimated at more than 800 nesting pairs, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The birds were taken off the endangered species and threatened species lists by 2008. Now, the Maine Golden Eagle Study is part of a large-scale regional effort to better understand golden eagle abundance, distribution, movements, and habitat use in eastern North America.

Record number of disasters show climate crisis urgency in storm-weary Maine

MAINE MONITOR • January 20, 2024

In the past year and month, record-breaking weather extremes in line with the expected impacts of a warming world have brought disruption, destruction and even death to all corners of Maine. It feels like something has shifted — more than ever, Maine people have been forced to confront the consequences of climate change not as a future hypothetical, but as a present reality. “It’s overwhelming,” said Hannah Pingree, the co-chair of the Maine Climate Council, in an interview with The Maine Monitor. “The last month has made us all feel like, ‘Oh, wow, these climate impacts are really here. I didn’t think these things would happen so soon.’”

Record number of disasters show climate crisis urgency in storm-weary Maine

MAINE MONITOR • January 20, 2024

In the past year and month, record-breaking weather extremes in line with the expected impacts of a warming world have brought disruption, destruction and even death to all corners of Maine. It feels like something has shifted — more than ever, Maine people have been forced to confront the consequences of climate change not as a future hypothetical, but as a present reality. “It’s overwhelming,” said Hannah Pingree, the co-chair of the Maine Climate Council, in an interview with The Maine Monitor. “The last month has made us all feel like, ‘Oh, wow, these climate impacts are really here. I didn’t think these things would happen so soon.’”

MaineDOT will spend more than $1 billion on non-highway projects in next three years

MAINE MORNING STAR • January 20, 2024

The Maine Department of Transportation released a new three-year, $4.7 billion work plan Thursday that includes more than 2,600 capital projects, maintenance work and planning initiatives for 2024, 2025 and 2026. While the vast majority of that money — $3 billion — will go toward capital projects for Maine’s 8,800 miles of highway and 2,800 bridges, that still leaves more than a billion dollars for buses, trains, airports, ferries and more. Here’s a breakdown of all the non-highway projects MaineDOT has planned for the next three years.

Letter: BDN editorial board should reexamine wind port location

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • January 20, 2024

I think the writers of the recent wind port editorial in the BDN have clearly misunderstood the scope of this development. It is not a “port” where ships quietly come and go, but a 100-acre industrial facility where the turbines will be fabricated before they are shipped. The potential nonstop road usage, 24/7 noise, traffic, lighting and habitat destruction are incompatible with the conservation mission of the island’s other half. A responsible editorial board would recognize the incompleteness of their research, critically reexamine both sides and issue a correction. ~ Bill Carpenter, Stockton Springs

Column: Who drove a snowmobile to the peak of Katahdin?

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • January 20, 2024

There is a rumor that former Director of Baxter State Park Buzz Caverly once took a snowmobile to the top of Katahdin, which he denies. Snow sleds are not allowed except on the perimeter road at Baxter and going up the mountain with one would be verboten. A quick Google search reveals a picture of a guy standing on the summit next to a vintage Ski-Doo and a Moto-Ski. The picture looks like it was taken in the early 1960s. It does look like Buzz in a Baxter State Park ranger suit. He spent 45 years working in the park. He became a passionate preservationist who did amazing things to protect this precious backcountry. Buzz believes the picture is of either Rodney Sargeant or Elmer Knowlton. The Park Supervisor instructed them to go up on the Tableland to remove nets and containers left from when the first crop of caribou was airlifted there in 1963. If you know who actually made the climb, drop me a line. ~ Bill Green

Andover snowmobiler dies in Franklin County crash

SUN JOURNAL • January 19, 2024

An Andover man died Friday morning when his snowmobile crashed into trees along a snowmobile trail in northern Franklin County. Frank Clifford, 69, was traveling northbound on his 2019 Ski-Doo Enduro 850 on ITS 89 in Davis Township about 10:30 a.m. when it drifted across the center of the trail and crashed into several small trees. The initial investigation indicates speed was a factor in the crash.

Experienced New Hampshire hiker dies on solo trek in blinding, waist-deep snow in White Mountains

ASSOCIATED PRESS • January 19, 2024

An experienced hiker who had accomplished the “Triple Crown” of challenging cross-country trails died this week in New Hampshire’s White Mountains during a solo hike in brutal conditions, including single-digit temperatures, harsh winds and waist-deep snow. Christopher Roma, 37, was an expert hiker who ran his own long-distance trail guide business and had walked the familiar trail many times before. Roma eventually reached the emergency line, saying he was very cold. A large team of Fish and Game conservation officers and search and rescue squads assembled and set out at 2 a.m. Wednesday, but the group was slowed by blowing snow. By the time ground crews reached Roma at 5 p.m. he was dead.

New York couple injured in snowmobile vs. pickup truck crash in Rangeley

SUN JOURNAL • January 19, 2024

A New York couple was injured Friday morning after the snowmobile they were riding on collided with a pickup truck. Dennis Hummel, 68, of East Meadow, New York, was driving a snowmobile on a trail which approaches the Loon Lake Road while Mark Nedeau, 61, of Oquossoc Village in Rangeley was driving a pickup truck on Loon Lake Road when the two collided. Hummel and his wife both received non-life-threatening injuries.

Solar development in central Maine may open up greener pastures

KENNEBEC JOURNAL • January 19, 2024

“The idea that I watch sheep eat grass and they get paid to eat grass is pretty remarkable,” he said recently. “Because they’ll do it for free, but I figured out a way to make money doing it.” Dennett and his sheep are pioneers in agrivoltaics, the practice of combining agriculture with solar energy generation, and this is the time of year he spends crunching numbers and planning for the year ahead. It might be a good year.

Column: An exciting opening day at Rangeley Lakes Trails Center

RANGELEY HIGHLANDER • January 19, 2024

The exceptional Rangeley Lakes Trail system is situated at the foot of Saddleback Mountain. They receive copious amounts of snow each winter. As a result, it’s one of our favorite winter sports destinations. The trails are maintained by the Rangeley Lakes Cross Country Ski Club. The dedicated members do a masterful job of keeping the trails in the best possible condition. Rangeley Lakes Trails Center has some of the finest Nordic ski and snowshoe trails in Maine. ~ Ron Chase

A new EPA rule could save 4,200 lives a year, but industry groups say it may cost Biden reelection

WASHINGTON POST • January 19, 2024

The Environmental Protection Agency is preparing to significantly strengthen limits on fine particle matter, one of the nation’s most widespread deadly air pollutants, even as industry groups warn that the standard could erase manufacturing jobs across the country. Several major companies, trade associations and some Democratic lobbyists are trying to preempt the rule by suggesting it could harm President Biden’s reelection chances in key swing states.

Recent powerful storms have led to more than 140 oil spill cleanups in Maine

NEWS CENTER MAINE • January 19, 2024

Most of the oil spills the Maine Department of Environmental Protection has responded to happened after the big "Grinch" storm in December, but last week's back-to-back powerful storms also affected more than 20 homeowners along the coast. Chris Hopper is the director of the DEP's Division of Response Services. Hopper said the Rumford and Mexico areas have had a lot of oil spills that need cleanup from his team. Hopper also said there's a fund, the Maine Ground and Surface Waters Clean-up and Response Fund, that has existed for many years and covers the cost of the service to clean up the spill if you have a heating oil tank that's been impacted.