Opinion: Legislature must fully fund the Maine Climate Corps

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • March 22, 2024

I introduced legislation to establish the Maine Climate Corps, which received a unanimous committee vote and was signed into law by Gov. Janet Mills. This landmark legislation has greatly enhanced our state’s ability to address a wide array of challenges through a climate-focused lens, including transportation, energy, housing and land and freshwater preservation. The corps works on climate mitigation issues along with climate resiliency, which is needed now more than ever as communities recover from the recent devastating storms and flooding. Alarmingly, this program and the Maine Service Fellows program are set to run out of funding this year, cutting off support for the Climate Corps coordinator position that connects programs with federal opportunities. As a Legislature, we cannot allow that to happen. ~ Rep. Morgan Rielly, Westbrook

Farmington native becomes the first woman to solo hike entire 6,800 mile American Discovery Trail

FRANKLIN JOURNAL • March 21, 2024

Farmington native Briana DeSanctis began a two-year journey on New Year’s Day 2022, becoming the first woman to hike the American Discovery Trail — 6,800 miles from the Atlantic in Delaware to the Pacific Ocean in California — alone. “I finished the American Discovery Trail this morning,” DeSanctis wrote in an Instagram post Feb. 10 as she walked into the waters of Limantour Beach at Point Reyes National Seashore in northern California. For 770 days the lifelong outdoorswoman took 50 million steps and used 27 pairs of shoes to complete the coast-to-coast journey.

International Day of Forests, March 21

CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY • March 21, 2024

March 21 is International Day of Forests. David Cooper, Acting Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity, said, “Forests harbor some 80% of the world’s terrestrial biodiversity; they support more than a billion people with food, shelter, income, and energy. And they provide three quarters of the world’s accessible freshwater. Containing over half of the global carbon stock in soils and vegetation, forests also support us in combating climate change. But forests continue to face major threats. We need innovation and new solutions to provide early warning of forest fires and other threats, to combat organized crime, and to promote sustainable forest management and fair supply chains in support of a sustainable bioeconomy.”

Maine is losing farms quickly, report finds

WMTW-TV8 • March 21, 2024

A new federal report shows there are fewer farms now in Maine than there have been in more than 25 years. The United States Department of Agriculture released results of the 2022 Census of Agriculture, showing in 2022 there were an estimated 7,036 farms with 1.23 million acres of farmland, down from a peak of 8,173 operations and 1.45 million acres in 2012. Maine lost 564 farms and 82,567 acres of farmland since the last census in 2017.

Range ponds survey comes before Poland Select Board

SUN JOURNAL • March 21, 2024

The Select Board learned Tuesday night that a watershed survey will be conducted on Lower, Middle and Upper Range ponds on May 11. Kim Brandt and Shannon Dwyer from the Range Ponds Association said the survey is necessary to identify nonpoint sources of pollution, namely areas of stormwater runoff resulting from soil erosion. The runoff carries sediment containing phosphorus and other nutrients that can lead to algae blooms in lakes, which depletes the oxygen level. Low oxygen impairs fish habitats, such as trout and salmon.

Column: Investing against the tide of global warming

KENNEBEC JOURNAL • March 21, 2024

Since late January, we’ve had nothing but rain and lots of coastal flooding. It’s hard not to think the Maine long-range climate forecast of “warmer and wetter” has arrived. The mean temperature for the entire state is nearly 8 degrees above normal, with ice-out a month early. Starting with the dawn of modern state government — the Curtis administration, from 1967-75 — Maine’s been using general fund bond issues to invest in its future. Gov. Paul LePage shut it down. Bond issues are an important way to involve voters directly in making choices about the state’s future. Looking at the magnitude of climate change, it’s dismaying we’re not already addressing the enormous capital commitments it will require. ~ Douglas Rooks

Orrington now co-owns troubled incinerator with mystery partners

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • March 21, 2024

The town of Orrington is now a partial owner of a shuttered trash incinerator, but no one involved will say who is behind the new majority owner trying to restart it. A Florida company that bought the plant in November but failed to restart it sold 80 percent of its stake to Orrington and the new majority owner, Eagle Point Energy Center LLC, on March 1. Orrington’s Board of Selectmen approved the town entering into an agreement with Eagle Point Energy Center after an executive session Feb. 26. But the question of who owns Eagle Point Energy Center remains unanswered.

Biden administration declares disaster in Maine from January storms, unlocking federal aid

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • March 20, 2024

The Biden administration has issued a “Major Disaster Declaration” for storms that hit Maine on Jan. 10 and Jan. 13, unlocking millions in federal assistance to help the state recover. Gov. Janet Mills announced that eight coastal counties will be eligible for funding to rebuild from the storms that caused substantial flooding and damage. Maine’s eight coastal counties – Washington, Hancock, Waldo, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc, Cumberland and York – will be able to apply for funding to help cover the cost of public infrastructure repairs, estimated at more than $70 million from the January storms. Also, the federal government will offer assistance to eligible individuals and families that experienced “severe property damage,” the Mills administration said in a prepared statement.

Maine environmental board rejects controversial EV rules

MAINE PUBLIC • March 20, 2024

Maine's Board of Environmental Protection voted Wednesday not to move forward with controversial rules aimed at increasing sales of electric vehicles in the state. Instead, the issue may now end up in the hands of the Legislature — if it's considered at all. The proposal would have added Maine to the growing list of states — led by California — that are using government regulations as a way to push car makers into selling more zero-emissions vehicles. "Whether the board votes to adopt this or not, the Legislature will have final say on it," BEP board chair Sue Lessard said.

Gov. Mills proposes higher minimum wage for farmworkers

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • March 20, 2024

Gov. Janet Mills on Wednesday proposed raising the minimum wage for farmworkers to match the current Maine minimum wage of $14.15 per hour for all other workers. Farmworkers are exempt from Maine’s minimum wage laws, and most farmworkers fall under the federal $7.25 minimum wage, which was set by Congress in 2009. “Maine’s agricultural industry, along with the hardworking farmers and farmworkers who sustain it, are a cornerstone of our economy – and we cannot achieve a healthy industry without supporting both in a balanced way,” Mills said.

Climate change is causing a longer and more intense allergy season across Maine, report finds

MAINE PUBLIC • March 20, 2024

Climate change is making allergy season longer and more intense across Maine. A recent report from the research and journalism nonprofit Climate Central says the shortened winter season has given pollen-producing plants more time to grow more allergens. The report looked at data for over 200 U.S. cities and measured the days between the first Fall and last Spring freeze each year since 1970. The data for Maine showed the growing season for pollen plants increased by nearly two weeks for Portland and Presque Isle. Dr. Susan Anenberg chairs the Environmental and Occupational Health department at George Washington University, and is an advisor to Climate Central. “We want to break that sequence by mitigating climate change reducing greenhouse gases that are contributing to climate change. And that will slow the impact that humans are having on that allergy season," Anenberg said.

Town of Raymond reaches settlement with Donald Buteau over shoreland zoning violations on Sebago Lake

SUN JOURNAL • March 20, 2024

The town of Raymond has reached a settlement in the more than two-year-old shoreland zoning violations case involving Auburn businessman Donald Buteau and his real estate holding company Management Controls. At least two sources, who couldn’t speak officially, said the settlement involves paying all the town’s attorney fees, a fine and restoration of the lakefront. Specifics of the settlement, including the amount of the fine and the cost of restoration are being withheld until a town meeting scheduled April 2.

Maine board defeats rule to phase out sales of new gas-powered vehicles

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • March 20, 2024

The Maine Board of Environmental Protection voted Wednesday to defeat a rule requiring electric vehicles to make up an increasing percentage of new car sales over the coming years, instead expressing a desire for lawmakers to decide the issue. The “Advanced Clean Cars II” rule that the board defeated in a 4-2 vote would have required battery-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles to make up 51 percent of new car sales for 2028 models and 82 percent of new sales by model year 2032. Steven Pelletier, a wetland scientist and forester from Topsham, and Barbara Vickery were the lone members to support adopting the rule, which the Natural Resources Council of Maine and several allies proposed earlier in 2023.

Livestock owners face penalties when animals trespass in Maine

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • March 20, 2024

Escaped livestock and poultry rarely respond to a polite request to go home. Property owners may need to seek help from the farmer, but if the animal owner doesn’t solve the problem, there is recourse.The state can levy stiff fines against the critter’s owner under Maine’s animal trespass laws. Larger animals like cows, horses, sheep, pigs or goats can trample or uproot plants or make a meal of whatever is growing. Pigs are prized for their ability to turn over soil as they root around for tasty grubs. But your neighbor will likely be less than thrilled if the turned up soil contains their prize flower garden. Chickens, turkeys, geese and other poultry will happily feast on any new garden or lawn growth. In extreme cases under the law, repeat offenders may have their animals taken away from them. In an apparent recognition of the futility of controlling them, cats are not subject to Maine animal trespass laws.

Maine Board of Environmental Protection rejects Advanced Clean Car II Act

MAINE MORNING STAR • March 20, 2024

The Board of Environmental Protection received nearly 3,000 public comments on a proposed rule to bring more zero-emission vehicles to Maine that was ultimately voted down Wednesday. Four members voted against implementing the rule and two voted in support. Though, for many board members, it wasn’t an easy decision. While Maine was deliberating its own cleaner air standards, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency finalized its strongest regulations yet for passenger cars, light-duty trucks and medium-duty vehicles for model years 2027 through 2032. The standards will hasten the adoption of cleaner vehicle technologies.

In a boost for EVs, EPA finalizes strict new limits on tailpipe emissions

NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO • March 20, 2024

After nearly a year of frantic lobbying and debate, the EPA has finalized strict new rules on vehicle emissions that will push the auto industry to accelerate its transition to electric vehicles. The EPA expects that under the new rules, EVs could account for up to 56% of new passenger vehicles sold for model years 2030 through 2032, meeting a goal that President Biden set in 2021. The regulations are a cornerstone of the Biden Administration's efforts to fight climate change.

Maine board rejects mandate to boost electric vehicle sales by 2032

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • March 20, 2024

The state Board of Environmental Protection rejected a mandate to dramatically step up sales of electric and hybrid vehicles in Maine, dealing a blow to environmentalists who urged steps to curb tailpipe emissions, but pleasing car dealers and Republicans who saw the move as government overreach that would make private transportation unaffordable for many Mainers. The citizen board’s 4-2 vote Wednesday coincided with a Biden administration rule released hours earlier for the strongest-ever limits on tailpipe pollution, a move also meant to boost electric vehicle sales.

Letter: Reconsider Mack Point for wind port before it’s too late

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • March 20, 2024

I agree that Searsport is an appropriate place for the wind port plant. I also agree with the Sierra Club that Mack Point is the better option for its physical location. Although Sears Island may financially be the best choice, it fails in other considerations. When one considers the ecological damage that any industry could do to Sears Island, it should be the very last option for development. Reconsider the Mack Point option while we still can. ~ Mary Brann, Searsport

As oceans grow hotter than ever for 2nd year, scientists fear irreversible shift

WASHINGTON POST • March 20, 2024

At this time last year, scientists watched in disbelief as the world’s oceans surged to record levels of warmth and wondered what could have triggered it. The jump in sea surface temperatures was more dramatic than anything seen before. Now, the unprecedented streak of ocean heat is entering a second year. Scientists say it could represent a major change to Earth’s systems that cannot be reversed on any human time scale.

Troubled solar company loses lucrative Knox County airport contract

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • March 20, 2024

The owner of a Hermon-based solar company said he is “working on resolutions” after a lucrative contract to install a solar array at the Knox County Regional Airport in Owl’s Head was canceled on Friday. “I can’t really say what’s going on,” Michael Griggs, owner of Pine Tree Solar, said. The $1.23 million contract was unanimously approved in February 2023 by the Knox County commissioners and was to have been completed by December 2023.