Opinion: Avangrid case shouldn’t be used for political points-scoring

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • September 13, 2024

A recent op-ed about Iberdrola’s plan to purchase outstanding shares of Avangrid (“Massive corporate energy deal requires great scrutiny,” Sept. 9) was incredibly disappointing. State Sen. Rick Bennett mischaracterized much of the case that is before the Maine Public Utilities Commission. He also tried to advance positions that regulatory officials have deemed to be “illogical and absurd.” His take on this matter comes down to polished hyperbole, with most of his statements set on scoring political points. Both the discourse and the decision should be left to the experienced experts at the Public Utilities Commission. ~ Kim Harriman, Avangrid

Opinion: Two years into the climate resilience legacy of the Inflation Reduction Act

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • September 13, 2024

On Aug. 16, 2022, President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law – the largest investment in clean energy and climate action in American history. Two years later, NOAA is spending an unprecedented $3.3 billion to lay the groundwork for a climate-ready future. Investments are being brought to life in Maine by a $69 million Climate Resilience Regional Challenge award to support Maine’s award-winning “Maine Won’t Wait” plan. The goal of this plan is to strengthen the resilience of the state’s working waterfronts, restore important coastal habitats – including coastal wetlands – and improve economic prosperity and security in underserved, rural and tribal communities facing existential threats to their livelihoods and ways of living. ~ Richard (Rick) W. Spinrad, Ph.D., NOAA administrator

Column: Be suspicious of flocking birds this winter

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • September 13, 2024

Birds of a feather flock together. Except that most don’t. From now until next spring, if you see a flock of birds, get suspicious. Few species flock, and you can often identify the flockers before seeing any field mark. The top reason birds flock together is safety. It’s easier for predators to sneak up on one bird than to sneak up on a hundred. Give flocking birds your attention over the next two months. Sparrows work the roadsides. Finches work the treetops. Waxwings work anytime, anywhere. Some worried birds gather just to flee the Maine winter. Misery loves company. ~ Bob Duchesne

Letter: Lithium mining can compromise Maine’s health

SUN JOURNAL • September 13, 2024

In rural Bethel I’m writing about lithium deposits in Newry, Rumford and Hanover areas of the state. People should ask their legislators to carefully consider language in mining bills and laws: guard against the harm it might do to water, people, wildlife and the beauty of life here. The property values of neighbors nearby would go down and the quality of their lives be degraded: constant stress of the noise of heavy machinery mining all day long across the stream or valley from people, wind-borne dust going into that stream and into neighbors’ lungs, and the devastating effect on surrounding wildlife. Voters and legislators should consider their stewardship of natural Maine and its communities in this legislation. ~ Susan Dorman, Bethel

Ridership is rising, but the Lewiston, Aubur n, Portland commuter bus has a long way to go

SUN JOURNAL • September 12, 2024

In almost two months since the pilot service linking Lewiston, Auburn and Portland began, ridership has increased. However, some issues are still in need of improvement. After almost two months, the schedule still lacks a reading guide and is not mobile-friendly. The schedule is color-coded but it’s unclear what the colors mean. The PDF schedule that is on the Department of Transportation website, is not very accessible and it’s a bit difficult to read.

Opinion: U.S. must stop logging old-growth forests

NEW HAMPSHIRE GAZETTE • September 12, 2024

In 2022, President Joe Biden issued an executive order to save old growth trees on public lands. This year the U.S. Forest Service released a draft National Old Growth Amendment (NOGA), which could ultimately require weighing the climate impacts of their logging plans, and a commitment to save old growth forests. But that amendment needs to be strengthened before it is finalized. Contrary to current climate science, the USFS NOGA includes managing old growth forests with extensive logging. ~ Nancy Polan, Sierra Club, Mass chapter

America's Forests with Chuck Leavell: Maine

MAINE PUBLIC • September 12, 2024

America's Forests with Chuck Leavell celebrates our nation's woodlands. On this episode, Chuck visits Maine - the most forested state in the USA. Chuck begins his journey through Maine with a Wabanaki native guide. He goes fly-fishing at the base of Katahdin where private lands welcome public visitors. He visits a state-of-the-art factory making building insulation out of wood chips and tries his hand at competitive tree-felling at the Game of Logging. And he finishes up playing rollicking old-time logging songs given new life by contemporary musicians. Maine Public TV, September 12, 10 pm.

Inspection revelations prompt calls for Brunswick Landing chief to step down

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • September 12, 2024

State and municipal leaders called Thursday for the immediate resignation of the head of Brunswick Landing for failing to disclose year-old deficiencies in an airport fire prevention system that malfunctioned and spilled more than 50,000 gallons of toxic foam in August. State Sen. Mattie Daughtry, D-Brunswick, singled out Kristine Logan, executive director of the Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority, during a news conference outside Brunswick City Hall that was called after a story in the Portland Press Herald revealed the deficient inspection history. The group of Brunswick-area leaders also called for the immediate shutdown of the airport’s two other fire suppression systems that rely on foam containing toxic forever chemicals until they can work with Gov. Janet Mills to adopt a statewide policy to collect the foam, dispose of it and ban its use in Maine.

Maine Calling: Sustainable Forests

MAINE PUBLIC • September 12, 2024

How do we ensure that Maine's forests are managed sustainably and will thrive well into the future? Panelists: Adam Daigneault, School of Forest Resources, University of Maine; Laura Kenefic, Northern Research Station, U.S. Forest Service. VIP Callers: Joshua Henry, Timber HP; Morten Moesswilde, Maine Forest Service; Maddie Eberly, specialist, Low Impact Forestry, Maine Organic Farmers & Gardeners Association.

Land trust recipient of Patricia D. Klingenstein Grants program

LIVERMORE FALLS ADVERTISER • September 4, 2024

The Androscoggin Land Trust is one of this year’s recipients of the Patricia D. Klingenstein Grants program from the Sadie and Harry Davis Foundation. ALT will use the funds to support the “Nurturing Nature, Nurturing Health” initiative that enhances children’s physical and mental health through nature-based programming, including environmental education outreach and curriculum integration work with area schools, summer camps, and after-school programs that engage children with nature.

White Mountain National Forest eyes Albany land acquisition

BETHEL CITIZEN • September 4, 2024

The White Mountain National Forest  is in discussions for the potential addition of a 700-acre tract of land adjacent to the forest in Albany that would enhance recreational resources and protect wildlife and the Crooked River watershed, according to acquisition supporters.The parcel, owned by a family company, Penley & Mills, Inc., shares about 10,000 feet of boundary with current WMNF lands. If the land is acquired, Maine would continue to receive revenue from it in the form of payments in lieu of taxes.

Column: A love of Maine’s outdoors

CENTRAL MAINE • September 12, 2024

I am thrilled and excited to be launching “Hunt & Harvest.” I started hunting when I was 20 years old because I was curious about what deer hunting entailed. I knew people who were adamantly against hunting, but I knew that what my dad was doing was not wrong. My curiosity about hunting and conservation has taken me from deer to turkey to bear. It is very easy to judge something you have never seen or done. So in 2014, during the bear hunting referendum, I volunteered with groups and met people who were avid bear hunters and guides. One of my goals is always to expose more people to hunting and conservation through my stories. ~ Erin Merrill

Inspectors found deficiencies in Brunswick airport’s fire suppression system last year

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • September 12, 2024

A fire suppression system at Brunswick Executive Airport was flagged as “deficient” 14 months before it malfunctioned and discharged more than 51,000 gallons of toxic chemical foam that state-funded clean-up crews have yet to fully contain. The last test of the system intended to douse aviation fires revealed deficiencies in June 2023, but the airport owner, Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority, couldn’t find a fire sprinkler company willing to fix them. Even trace amounts of some PFAS are considered a public health risk. Firefighting foam is the most common source of forever chemical contamination in the U.S.

Loon Echo Land Trust wins award

SUN JOURNAL • September 12, 2024

Loon Echo Land Trust (LELT) was recently awarded a Love Maine Trails Month Award of $1,000 by the Maine Trails Coalition. This award was given to five organizations that participated in the third annual Love Maine Trails Month (LMTM), which took place this June at trail locations all across the state. LMTM is a month of statewide events bringing people and organizations together to care for Maine’s trails.

Column: People who oppose bear baiting have no idea what they’re talking about

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • September 12, 2024

When it comes to hunting in Maine, no topic breeds more division between not only hunters and non-hunters but also within the hunting community itself than whether we should be able to hunt bears over bait. Bear baiting in Maine has long been scrutinized. The practice remains intact currently for many reasons, nearly all of which are backed by research, statistics and data gathered by Maine State biologists and hunters. Without baiting, hunters would be unable to even come close to the state’s bear harvest goals in order to help regulate the population. ~ Chris Sargent

Baby snakes are everywhere this time of year

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • September 12, 2024

Fall is the time for babies, and September is an active month for baby snakes who are dividing their time between eating as much as possible and looking for a place to spend the winter. Maine is home to nine species of snakes, all non-venomous. The most common is the garter snake. Other snakes in the state are the brown, ribbon, smooth green, northern water, milk, northern black racer, ringneck and redbelly. Their babies tend to look like miniature versions of the adults.

Elusive Canada Lynx First Sighting in Vermont Since 2018

MY MODERN MET • September 11, 2024

Gary Shattuck came across an odd-looking bobcat as he drove—only it wasn't a bobcat. Curious about the animal he spotted as he drove around central Vermont, Shattuck decided to take out his phone and record the feline. Hoping to get some expert insight, he sent the video to Vermont Fish & Wildlife. Not only did they give Shattuck an answer, but they were taken aback. The man had come across an elusive and rare Canada lynx. “Canada lynx are a federally threatened species and they're elusive even in Maine and New Hampshire where they're more common than our neck of the woods,” writes Vermont Fish & Wildlife.

Highland Green Fall Hike Saturday, September 28

MAINE ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS • September 11, 2024

At Highland Green, Topsham, Sep 28:
• Regularly guided, scenic hikes to Cathance River departing regularly 10 am - 1 pm.
• More rigorous hikes are available throughout the 230-acre nature preserve.
• Cathance River Ecology Center (CREA) will be open for tours.
• Wildlife Presentations with Nick Lund of Maine Audubon at 10:30 am and 12:30 pm..

Maine Climate Council is on the road to hear feedback from Mainers

SUN JOURNAL • September 11, 2024

The Maine Climate Council began its statewide tour Tuesday night at the Lewiston Public Library with a question in mind: “What does successful climate action in Maine mean to you?” Attendees had a chance to answer that question and others as the council held the first of five workshops this month in an effort to hear Mainers’ concerns about the climate. The first draft of Maine’s next climate action plan for the next four years, Maine Won’t Wait, was met with criticism for lacking resolve around certain targets, such as transportation emissions. The council has four more workshops scheduled this month in Portland, Bangor, Biddeford and Ellsworth to hear what efforts Mainers want to combat climate change.

At the debate, Harris made climate change a pocketbook issue

NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO • September 11, 2024

When moderators at the presidential debate asked the candidates about plans to fight climate change, Vice President Kamala Harris highlighted a problem quietly accelerating across the country: homeowners are losing their insurance. Harris said the costs of inaction on global warming are already having an impact: homeowners nationwide face soaring insurance costs — or the loss of coverage altogether — as extreme weather like storms and wildfires becomes more extreme. Climate change is “very real,” Harris said. Trump didn’t say at the debate what, if anything, he would do to limit global warming. The former president for years has cast doubt on the scientific consensus that the Earth is getting hotter mainly because of burning fossil fuels. Trump’s campaign has said he would try to boost fossil fuel production in a second term.