Maine Street tree removal sparks outcry amid Brunswick sidewalk overhaul

TIMES RECORD • August 15, 2024

Crews removed a mature tree along Maine Street in Brunswick on Tuesday, sparking an outcry against tree-chopping in the midst of the town's sidewalk project. Beginning in May 2024, Brunswick launched its Streetscape Project on the west side of the road. The initiative aims to overhaul 5,000 square yards of aging pathways lining Maine Street and add in features like benches, new tree pits and more. The project sparked an uproar as residents realized more of the original trees were coming down than anticipated. Now some residents are wondering what can be done to preserve what's left.

Letter: We need offshore wind to help address climate change

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • August 15, 2024

As a new Mainer originally from the Philippines, I have seen and experienced for myself ever worsening weather patterns. Where we live in the Philippines, there has been an obvious increase in the intensity of heat, frequency and severity of storms, and depth of flooding. These weather disturbances are going to lead to more power outages, so we are in desperate need of new forms of power production. This is why I support offshore wind turbines. They would not only benefit businesses and people around Maine but also create new employment opportunities to build and maintain the offshore wind sites. Let’s get our voices heard by contacting our representatives about coastal wind turbines. ~ Miguel Amador, Brunswick

Pingree urges Biden to give the fashion industry a voice in climate policy discussions

MAINE MORNING STAR • August 15, 2024

U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree and her slow fashion caucus sent a letter to President Joe Biden urging him to include the fashion industry in his new White House Task Force on Climate and Trade. In the letter, Pingree, a Democrat, and the rest of the caucus highlighted the environmental challenges the fashion and textile industries pose, calling them a “fundamental missing piece” to addressing the climate crisis. The six representatives who signed the letter said they want to see members from the fashion and textile industries added to the president’s task force to ensure their voices and policy recommendations are part of those climate conversations.

Healthy herd gives promise to thousands with antlerless deer permits

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • August 15, 2024

Maine’s deer herd is healthy and is one of the largest the state’s ever had. The estimate is 360,000. A mild winter and a drier spring than last year means a higher survival rate. Maine’s deer herd is healthy and is one of the largest the state’s ever had, according to a deer biologist with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. A mild winter and a drier spring than last year means a higher survival rate.

Regulators will have another 30 days to decide if public benefits from Old Town landfill expansion

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • August 15, 2024

Regulators will have more time to determine whether the public will benefit from expanding the state-owned landfill in Old Town. The deadline for completing the review of Casella Waste Systems’ proposal to expand Juniper Ridge Landfill was Aug. 23. But regulators now have until Sept. 23, with a deadline for the public to submit comments set for Sept. 5, according to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection. That’s to give staff more time to “thoroughly” review Casella’s application and supporting documents, receive and review public comments, and give the public time to review information.

Who was Frances Perkins, whose Maine homestead may become a national monument?

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • August 15, 2024

Federal officials are scheduled to visit the Frances Perkins Homestead in Newcastle on Thursday following requests to designate the property as a national monument. The Washington Post reported that President Joe Biden is planning to sign an executive order declaring the homestead as a national monument, although U.S. Department of Interior officials haven’t confirmed that. Though the homestead has been open to the public for years and was named a National Historic Landmark in 2014, the monument designation would mean the family homestead of the pioneering worker-rights advocate will gain a national spotlight. Perkins was the first-ever woman to serve in a presidential cabinet. She was instrumental in crafting much of the legislation that was part of Roosevelt’s New Deal.

Falmouth hiker rescued from a Redington Mountain trail in northern Franklin County

SUN JOURNAL • August 15, 2024

A 71-year-old man was rescued Wednesday after he collapsed while hiking down a trail after reaching the top of Redington Mountain, a 4,010 foot mountain. Maine game wardens, members of the Maine Forest Service, and the Carrabassett Valley and Eustis fire departments rescued Gerard Jalbert,  71, of Falmouth. Jalbert was taken to Maine Medical Center in Portland. He remained at the hospital Thursday in stable condition.

Maine wants your opinion on protecting farmland from solar farms

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • August 15, 2024

Five years ago, Maine made it easier to build ground-based solar projects, which have multiplied across the state. Some are concerned about the number of projects on Maine’s limited amount of land suited for farming, which is already disappearing to development. The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry has proposed changes to the permitting process that could discourage solar energy development on valuable farmland. Public comment on the draft is open through the end of August.

A grassroots approach to achieving climate justice

MAINE BEACON (Maine People's Alliance) • August 14, 2024

Talking with people who “don’t care about climate change” or who feel they can’t make a difference can be a challenge, but Lucy Hochschartner, the climate and clean energy director at Maine Conservation Voters, says it’s important to build relationships and trust to work towards a better future. Jordan Sligar, a canvasser with Maine People’s Alliance, said, “Grassroots organizing is a massive part of the puzzle. The corporations aren’t going to do this on their own, so we need to hold them accountable and we do that by organizing from the ground up.”

Andover committee seeking public comments on recreation park improvements

RUMFORD FALLS TIMES • August 14, 2024

A town committee applying for a federal grant to upgrade and add to the Andover Community Park on South Main Street is distributing a survey to learn what features residents would like to have. At the town meeting in June, residents voted against spending up to $147,000 to update and repair the tennis court at the park. The tennis court, basketball court, Grimaldi ball field and playground will be included in a federal grant application, town officials said in June.

Farmington to pay for contaminated well

FRANKLIN JOURNAL • August 14, 2024

The Select Board approved spending $17,680 for a new well and pump system for George and Erica Miller at 784 Farmington Falls Road. A letter provided from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection to the Millers indicated the state will pay 90% of the cost and the town the rest.The property is at the base of the road to the Transfer Station, Town Manager Erica LaCroix said. She was first contacted in January regarding the PFAS, or so-called “forever chemicals” contaminating the well. “We have been buying him bottled water since January and will get reimbursed for that,” she noted.

Mainers are so scared of browntail moths they’re killing other caterpillars

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • August 14, 2024

Few things unite Mainers like browntail moth caterpillars. It’s difficult to find a resident or visitor to the state who does not support the eradication of the toxic hair-shedding larvae after last summer’s massive outbreak.That development has complicated life for the Eastern tent caterpillar that’s nesting in trees this time of year. While some people have no issues if the tent caterpillars are collateral damage in the fight against browntail nests, others view the tent caterpillars as innocent victims in the ongoing browntail control efforts.

Wildfire smoke from Canada affecting air quality in Maine

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • August 14, 2024

Maine’s air quality index has been downgraded Wednesday as smoke from Canadian wildfires continues to drift over the state. The Maine Department of Environmental Protection is reporting particle pollution as “moderate” for the most heavily populated southern and coastal regions of the state. Air quality in the northern regions of the state is classified as “unhealthy for sensitive groups.” Climate change is contributing to more wildfires in dry regions of Canada and the U.S., making poor air quality from wildfire smoke more likely to be a recurring event, experts have said.

State gives tense presentation on Sears Island wind port project

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • August 14, 2024

State transportation officials on Tuesday night held the first of what they say will be a series of public meetings about the controversial wind energy development port they’re working to develop on Sears Island. The total cost of the project is estimated at $760 million over the course of its development, which is higher than was originally planned. The construction phase of the project is expected to start no later than the end of 2026. Permits to commence construction must be obtained by that point. The construction is expected to generate 1,300 jobs, while operating the port would require an estimated 350 workers. Opponents of the project and activists hoping to preserve Sears Island are still not sold on the idea of transforming it into a wind port.

Project 2025 promises billions of tonnes more carbon pollution – study

THE GUARDIAN • August 14, 2023

The impact of Donald Trump enacting the climate policies of the rightwing Project 2025 would result in billions of tonnes of extra carbon pollution, wrecking the US’s climate targets, as well as wiping out clean energy investments and more than a million jobs, a new analysis finds. Should Trump retake the White House and pass the energy and environmental policies in the controversial Project 2025 document, the US’s planet-heating emissions will “significantly increase” by 2.7bn tonnes above the current trajectory by 2030, an amount comparable to the entire annual emissions of India, according to the report. Such a burst of extra pollution would torpedo any chance the US could meet its goal of cutting emissions in half by 2030, which scientists say is imperative to help the world avert disastrous climate change.

Rooftop solar has a fraud problem. The industry is working to build back trust

NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO • August 14, 2024

The solar power industry is booming and that growth helps the world meet its climate goals by replacing fossil fuels. But an emerging problem in the U.S. solar business that installs panels on homes risks slowing the effort to cut the country’s emissions. Customer complaints against the country’s residential rooftop solar industry have increased dramatically in recent years. Prosecutors are investigating high-pressure sales tactics and misleading financing arrangements. Some customers say they were victims of fraud and forgery. This threatens rooftop solar’s impressive momentum. Now, some solar companies are working to repair the industry’s reputation.

Tucked away on the slopes of Munjoy Hill, Portland’s largest community orchard is thriving

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • August 14, 2024

The Mount Joy Orchard, located on a little more than an acre of land between Washington Avenue and North Street, was created around 2013. In 2016, when a few extra fruit trees were left over, Jeff Tarling, the city arborist at the time, decided to plant them outside the school gates on the steep sloping hill that was then just an unmowed lawn. Aaron Parker and some others in the neighborhood talked with Tarling about planting more trees. Today, the city’s largest orchard has about 100 trees and more than 20 varieties of fruit. Seven regular volunteers now keep the place going. But around 100 people help out on bimonthly work days. Anyone can harvest as much as they need, as often as they need.

Letter: What about climate change’s positive effects?

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • August 14, 2024

Mention of climate change in the Press Herald is usually preceded by the words “may,” “could” or “might.” Every one of those mentions is negative about the future effect of climate change in the world and Maine. The examples of the positive benefit of climate change on Maine are countless. Mainers saved millions on heating bills and drastically reduced Maine’s carbon emissions and pollutions this year. At the same time, municipalities saved millions on reduced salt use and the pollution it causes. ~ George Bentley, Kennebunkport

Editorial: Frances Perkins homestead worthy of national monument status

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • August 14, 2024

In late August 2016, in honor of the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service, then-President Barack Obama designated the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument near Baxter State Park. A second national monument in Maine is reported to be under consideration. The Biden administration is seeking to increase the number of cultural and historic properties managed by the National Park Service that honor and recognize women. We hope that when Interior Secretary Deb Haaland visits the homestead and meets with community members in Newcastle on Thursday, she sees why this Maine landmark — and the life and legacy of Frances Perkins — are worthy of this federal recognition.

This developer thinks sprawl is one of Maine’s biggest housing problems

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • August 14, 2024

Tom Landry has made housing his “life’s work.” Now the Portland-based developer, real estate agent and builder is writing down his take on Maine’s housing market. Last week, Landry released a short book called “Priced out of Portland.” It examines some of the root causes of the housing crisis and advocates for solutions that include doing away with inclusionary zoning and limiting sprawl by adding density to downtown areas.