Brunswick Landing authority maintains it will not shut down fire suppression system

TIMES RECORD • October 1, 2024

The Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority has rejected the Town Council’s call to shut down the foaming fire suppression system in Hangar 6, saying that they are not legally allowed to do so. The Town Council voted in early September to push for the shutdown of a fire suppression system in Hangar 6, which uses a PFAS-containing firefighting foam, by the end of the month. The concern to shut the fire suppression system down and adopt a method of defueling planes before storing stemmed from concerns of another spill risk. MRRA-owned Hangar 4 spilled 1,450 gallons of toxic foam concentrate mixed with 50,000 gallons of water in August.

Letter: The benefits of renewable propane

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • October 1, 2024

By 2050, the World LP Gas Association predicts that renewable propane could meet half of the world’s demand for propane. Renewable propane is made from feedstock like plant and vegetable oils, animal fats and used cooking oils. Conventional propane, or propane that comes from oil and natural gas refining. Bonny Eagle MSAD 6 is the first district east of the Rocky Mountains to use renewable propane. Propane also saves our district about 50% in fuel costs and its clean-operating properties reduce our maintenance expenses. ~ Sarah Marean, Director of Transportation, Bonny Eagle MSAD 6, Buxton

MRRA submits plan to address fire system deficiencies in airport hangars

TIMES RECORD • September 30, 2024

The Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority has submitted a plan of action to address a code violation at Brunswick Executive Airport Hangers 5 and 6. MRRA Executive Director Kristine Logan said the quasi-state entity, which manages property at the former Naval Air Station known as Brunswick Landing, contracted Eastern Fire, a fire protection service company, to correct any deficiencies and perform annual testing of the fire suppression systems by Oct. 30. It also contracted Poole Fire Protection to conduct risk assessment of Hangars 4, 5 and 6, and find alternative options for suppression systems that do not use firefighting foams containing PFAS, commonly known as “forever chemicals.”

A cottage business becomes a college business after seaweed snack company donated to UNE

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • September 20, 2024

When a small Maine nutrition bar company found itself at the crossroads of scaling up or shutting down, the owners instead forged a different path – they donated it to the University of New England. The Portland company, SeaMade Seaweed Company, manufactures a snack bar made with cranberries, honey, almonds and, of course, the main ingredient: seaweed. After eight years at the helm, co-owners Tara Treichel and Mark Dvorosniak handed the company over to the Biddeford university this summer. SeaMade’s next CEOs will be college students.

New solar development rules show tensions in Maine climate goals

MAINE PUBLIC • September 30, 2024

Solar companies are competing with farmers for land. And developers are reportedly willing to pay annual leases of $1,000 per acre. "To give up farmland of any kind seems crazy in that situation, and prime farmland is just so rare," said Nate Clark of Reed Farm, a dairy in Windsor. New regulations proposed by the state are supposed to balance competing land uses. Developers of solar arrays bigger than five acres would need soil tests, and a permit and would also pay fees based on the land's agricultural value. Funds would be used for future land conservation. The aim is to create a disincentive for solar developers to target farmland.

New solar development rules show tensions in Maine climate goals

MAINE PUBLIC • September 30, 2024

Solar companies are competing with farmers for land. And developers are reportedly willing to pay annual leases of $1,000 per acre. New regulations proposed by the Department of Agriculture Conservation and Forestry are supposed to balance competing land uses. Developers of solar arrays bigger than five acres would need soil tests, and a permit and would also pay fees based on the land's agricultural value. Funds would be used for future land conservation. Craig Lapine, Bureau of Agriculture, Food & Rural Resources director said the aim is to create a disincentive for solar developers to target farmland.

Portland Trails improves pedestrian safety with traffic-slowing modifications

FORECASTER • September 30, 2024

Over the summer, Portland Trails modified intersections it deemed unsafe for pedestrians on three streets in Portland. Working with neighborhood associations and the Bicycle Coalition of Maine, Portland Trails painted curbs and placed flexible posts along the road intended to get distracted drivers to focus and speeding drivers to slow down. While these traffic-slowing demonstrations are temporary, neighbors say they have been effective in slowing traffic.

These 6 foliage drives take you by all sorts of Maine scenery

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • September 30, 2024

Whether you want to explore Maine’s mountains, rivers, coast or rolling farmland, there’s a foliage route for you. Many are just a couple hours from Portland, with quaint towns and places to get picnic provisions along the way. It’s a good chance to see different landscapes and explore Maine’s scenic byways, including the ones that are officially designated as such. Here are some suggestions for routes that’ll teach you about Maine’s geography. And there will be a quiz. If you don’t usually do a foliage drive, be advised this is the year for it. Foliage experts say the combination of sunshine and rainfall we’ve had is likely to create a blazing display of reds, yellows and oranges this fall.

Roux Institute’s new business incubator aims to take on climate change

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • September 30, 2024

A new business incubator in Portland is trying to help small technology startups take on a big problem: climate change. Northeastern University’s Roux Institute launched its ClimateTech Incubator this month, a shared space for environmentally-focused startups to collaborate and grow their businesses. Terra Dunham, senior program director for the incubator, said the goal is for these small companies “to become huge companies,” outgrow the incubator, add highly skilled jobs in Maine and ultimately boost the economy. The incubator currently houses 12 startups that deal with many facets of climate change.

Scientists monitor insect-borne infections through moose and deer

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • September 30, 2024

The Vector-borne Disease Laboratory at MaineHealth Institute for Research in Portland sends scientists to key big game registration stations in the state to take blood and tick samples from the moose and deer brought in by hunters. The lab has been doing this for several years now, but it has done more of it since 2010. With the increase in dangerous viruses such as eastern equine encephalitis and West Nile across the state, it’s become imperative for those in charge of public health to know what regions hold the biggest threats for infections, which can be fatal. 

Maine’s top forester to head national association at critical time

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • September 29, 2024

Maine State Forester Patty Cormier has been elected president of the National Association of State Foresters, a significant milestone at a critical time for agencies overseeing forest resources across the United States. Cormier has worked with the Maine Forest Service for over 20 years, serving as Maine’s top forester since 2019, the service said in a statement Friday. She is the first Maine State Forester to be elected to the national post since Austin Wilkins 59 years ago.

UMaine potato breed edges out longtime favorites

MAINE MONITOR • September 29, 2024

Just nine years after it was introduced, the Caribou Russet, an oblong, reddish-brown potato with white flesh developed by the University of Maine, has overtaken the state’s potato market, edging out breeds that dominated the market for over a century.

Editorial: Good climate policy depends on consensus

MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM • September 29, 2024

Maine alone can’t stop climate change. But a critical mass of us must understand that mitigating it is a necessarily collective effort. The appointment of a green schools director sends an important message to the broader public; the work of that director will set the tone for a new generation of school buildings, bus routes, conscientious public servants and people. By the same token, the Maine Climate Council’s time-intensive consultation work is being done so that we can all work thoughtfully together. Starting small is fine. It’s starting at all that matters. Any forces that try to detract from these efforts – or, indeed, to deny or discredit them altogether – set us back.

Opinion: Offshore wind in Gulf of Maine an opportunity we can’t ignore

MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM • September 29, 2024

The Department of the Interior will hold an offshore wind energy lease sale at the end of October. Eight different areas in federal waters have the potential to power more than 4.5 million homes. That’s enough electricity to avoid nearly 50 million tons of fossil fuel emissions. Maine Audubon has spent a lot of time evaluating and advocating for opportunities to address climate change, including supporting renewable energy. But we have to do it right. This lease sale is the culmination of years of work from Maine Audubon and other advocates to convince the federal government to only issue leases in specific areas, those with the least amount of potential impacts on wildlife, commerce and transit. ~ Andy Beahm, Maine Audubon

Salmon parr at Peter Gray Hatchery have virus 2nd year in a row

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • September 27, 2024

The Downeast Salmon Federation’s Peter Gray Hatchery’s salmon parr project has tested positive for infectious pancreatic necrosis virus for the second year in a row. Last year, 170,000 salmon were killed because of the virus. The federation said it cannot release this year’s salmon either. The infected salmon will be killed, Dwayne Shaw, executive director of Downeast Salmon Federation, said Friday.

This bear led hunters and hounds on a merry chase

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • September 28, 2024

Ezra Dean, a guide for Grove Hill Outfitters in Brownville, had his eye on this bear for two years. The large boar kept showing up on cameras during overnight hours. Dean has tried over the last two years to help his clients nab it. He tried to get it during trapping season, but the bear simply moved to another area. He tried to get it over bait, but the bear stopped showing up at any of the bait sites. There was one option left. Hounds. And Pastor Mike Spencer of New York state, who was part of a group of pastors from Faith Bible College International hunting in Maine for the week, got it done.

Maine Woman Who Feeds Raccoons and Cats on Her Back Porch Is a Real-Life Snow White

AOL. • September 28, 2024

Generally speaking, feeding wildlife while visiting an outdoor area isn't recommended. Animals can quickly become reliant on humans for food, and then they're out of luck when those humans leave. When you live out in the forest, however, you may be able to offer animal friends consistent, safe snacks that don't mess with their diet or natural instincts. Just look at the Daily Hiss Crew! This is a group of raccoons and cats from Maine who all found a friend (and chef) in one generous resident. She feeds them all from the comfort of her porch, and she's taken in many of the cats as indoor/outdoor pets.

'Stars over Katahdin' celebrates importance of dark skies

MAINE PUBLIC • September 28, 2024

Visitors will gather in Patten Saturday night for Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters' annual celebration of the area's dark skies and stars. The Katahdin Region has the darkest skies east of the Mississippi River, and the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument is an International Dark Sky Sanctuary.

Brief rain hasn’t alleviated Maine’s drought conditions

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • September 28, 2024

A short period of rainfall this past week hasn’t done much to alleviate mild drought conditions in Maine. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, much of central and eastern Maine are experiencing “abnormally dry” conditions. The advisory extends through Down East Maine and the midcoast. The areas closest to Maine’s coastline, including southern Washington and Hancock counties, as well as Knox and Lincoln counties are experiencing “moderate drought” conditions. York County is also experiencing abnormally dry and mild drought conditions.

Opinion: Maine’s landfill capacity must be expanded to avoid crisis

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • September 28, 2024

When L.D. 1911 passed in 2022, it was first-of-its-kind legislation in the United States and a milestone in public health toward the elimination of PFAS and other forever chemicals from the environment. And while the positive impacts of Maine’s legislation have been proudly celebrated across the country, its clean water industry has quietly inherited one of the largest challenges since the Clean Water Act of 1972: Where (and how) to safely dispose of the states’ biosolids? While it is not our first choice, the state must expand capacity at its landfill so industry leaders can continue to develop and fund the infrastructure to support the policies that have been enacted. We strongly recommend that the public benefit determination is granted for the proposed expansion of the Juniper Ridge landfill. ~ Theresa Tucker, Maine Water Environment Association