Here’s what Trump’s budget proposal cuts by agency

WASHINGTON POST • May 2, 2025

The Trump administration is proposing major cuts to federal government spending in its 2026 budget request, which was released Friday by the White House. The budget proposes to cut what’s known as non-defense discretionary spending by $163 billion — about 23%. The proposal calls for a nearly 55% cut to the budget of the EPA, a 30.5% cut to the Interior Department, an 18.3% cut to the Agriculture Department, and a 9.4% cut to the Energy Department. At the same time, Trump is seeking $1 trillion in defense spending, a 13 percent increase.

Maine adopts 'nature-based' shoreline erosion rules

MAINE PUBLIC • May 2, 2025

New rules adopted by Maine regulators will make it easier to get permits to stabilize shoreline erosion — as long as projects use biodegradable materials and native plants. The standards were drafted at the direction of the state Legislature and approved by the Maine Board of Environmental Protection. And they are paired with stricter standards for installing larger more intrusive erosion control measures.

Federal funding for Maine Sea Grant restored

MAINE PUBLIC • May 2, 2025

The University of Maine announced today that the federal government has restored $4.5 million in Sea Grant funding, which had been terminated in February. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced in March that it would renegotiate the grant award after U.S. Sen. Susan Collins intervened on the school's behalf. The agency notified UMaine this week that it would restore the funds. The money will allow the program to continue for the three remaining years of the original four-year award. In 2023, the University estimates the Sea Grant helped generate more than $23 million. There are 34 Sea Grant programs across the country and Maine's was the only one terminated by the Trump administration.

In settlement, the USDA agrees to end Maine funding freeze challenged by state AG

MAINE PUBLIC • May 2, 2025

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has agreed to halt efforts to freeze federal funds for child nutrition programs in Maine. In exchange the state will drop its lawsuit against the agency. The settlement agreement closes a lawsuit brought by Maine after the USDA yanked $3 million in federal funds. The move was unlawful and didn't follow a procedure required to halt funding. The funding freeze was one of several moves made by the Trump administration to punish Maine. Gov. Janet Mills took a few rhetorical swipes at President Trump and his administration, saying "we took him to court and we won."

Maine: Right to Hunt and Fish Receives Bipartisan "Ought to Pass" in Committee

NRA • May 1, 2025

On Wednesday, April 30th, the Maine Legislature’s Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife voted "Ought to Pass" on LD 820, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine to Establish the Right to Hunt and Fish. This legislation, presented by Rep. Elizabeth M. Caruso (R-Caratunk), would change Maine's constitution to ensure that the rights of hunters are not infringed. This bill now heads to the floor of the House of Representatives for a vote. If this bill receives a 2/3 vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, Maine voters would have the opportunity to vote on the Constitutional Amendment at the ballot box. 

State announces grants aimed at preparing Maine towns for climate change

MAINE PUBLIC • May 1, 2025

Over 150 communities throughout the state will receive a total of $8 million in resilience grants aimed at preparing Maine for storms, rising seas, wildfires, and extreme weather Governor Janet Mills announced today. The community resilience grants, now in their fourth year, have provided over $18 million in funding for projects throughout the state, including stormwater drainage, wildfire management planning, stabilizing shorelines, and upgrading public buildings.

Senators Introduce Bipartisan “America the Beautiful Act”

MAINE ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS • May 1, 2025

U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) and colleagues today announced the introduction of a bipartisan conservation bill, the “America the Beautiful Act.” The legislation builds on the 2020 landmark “Great American Outdoors Act.” “People travel from across the globe to experience the natural beauty of America’s public lands – from Maine to Montana and across the nation. However, deferred repairs on aging infrastructure like roads and trails can become unsafe and diminish the visitor experience for those enjoying our public lands and National Parks. The America the Beautiful Act will help protect our lands and the visitor experience,” King said. The “America the Beautiful Act” reauthorizes the Legacy Restoration Fund through 2033 and increases funding to $2 billion per year to address the maintenance backlog in national parks and public lands.

Maine softens limits on riprap in new shoreline restoration rules

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • May 1, 2025

State environmental regulators have approved new rules for shoreline restoration projects in Maine that streamline how they will be handled and encourage more use of natural solutions, after agencies were swamped with project applications following 2024’s devastating winter storms. But those regulators have also loosened the newly approved rules after engineers and construction firms spoke out against an earlier version of the proposal, which would have put stricter limits on the use of riprap, a material consisting of large rocks that’s often used in shoreline restoration.

New England Aquarium reports congregation of endangered right whales off Massachusetts

MAINE PUBLIC • May 1, 2025

The New England Aquarium has spotted more than 75 endangered North Atlantic right whales in shipping lanes south of Massachusetts. That's prompted the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to issue voluntary speed restrictions for vessels transiting through those areas. Ship strikes are one of the leading causes of injury and death for the critically endangered species.

Committee advances bill that would prohibit the state from seizing Wabanaki land

MAINE MORNING STAR • May 1, 2025

The Judiciary Committee advanced legislation on Wednesday to prevent the state from being able to seize Wabanki land for public use without consultation, though amended it in a way that appears to assuage at least some of the concerns raised by Gov. Janet Mills’ administration. The committee voted 10-4 in favor of an amended version of LD 958, incorporating a proposed amendment from the Maine State Chamber of Commerce that the prohibition would only apply to current reservation and trust lands, meaning land for which the federal government holds the legal title of on behalf of a tribe, and not land that may be put into trust in the future. 

Maine awards $3 million for PFAS research to aid farmers

CBS 13 • April 30, 2025

In a move to address the ongoing issue of PFAS contamination, the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) announced the PFAS Fund has awarded $3 million to researchers to conduct studies that will help commercial farmers make informed decisions about utilizing agricultural property impacted by PFAS.

Volunteer Maine responds to termination of AmeriCorps grants

PENOBSCOT BAY PILOT • April 30, 2025

Volunteer Maine, the state commission for community service, received notification from the AmeriCorps federal agency late last week regarding the termination of all federal AmeriCorps grant programs under its administration. This unexpected action impacts over 100 communities across Maine and jeopardizes vital service efforts already underway. These programs span all 16 Maine counties, addressing challenges such as chronic disease prevention, workforce development, conservation efforts, educational enrichment, and community resilience. 

Kelp Farming Catches on in Maine

World Wildlife Fund • April 30, 2025

The World Wildlife Fund is working to educate the general public about seaweed. Metrics for success include the number of comments at public hearings supporting seaweed farms and the number of farm applications. Much of this is done by funding local organizations already engaged in the work. “One of our biggest opportunities is the number of people unfamiliar with sea farming,” says Emily Whitmore of the Maine Aquaculture Innovation Center, which has received WWF funding. The goal? Make kelp buoys just as iconic to Maine's brand as lobster buoys. 

Federal oil and gas leasing plan could include Maine coast

MAINE PUBLIC • April 30, 2025

The Trump administration is developing an offshore oil and gas leasing plan that could include waters in the Gulf of Maine. The Natural Resources Council of Maine warns there are no economically recoverable fossil fuels in the region and that drilling risks environmental and economic harm. "Offshore oil and gas exploration would directly threaten our marine ecosystems, risk devastation to our vibrant tourist economy, and harm our heritage fishing industry," the council's climate and clean energy director Jack Shapiro said in a statement.

MDI Bio Lab president joins panel warning Congress of long-lasting impacts from Trump budget cuts

MAINE PUBLIC • April 30, 2025

The president of MDI Biological Lab joined a panel of biomedical researchers on Wednesday who warned members of Congress that the Trump administration's cost-cutting measures could have long-lasting impacts on scientific research and public health. "The lives we save tomorrow depend on the decisions we make today," Hermann Haller, president of MDI Bio Lab in Bar Harbor, told the Senate Appropriations Committee. Since taking office, the Trump administration has eliminated thousands of jobs at agencies like the National Institutes of Health and paused or threatened to cancel billions of dollars in federal research grants to universities and laboratories. A preliminary budget document circulating within the Trump administration proposes cutting more than $47 billion — or roughly 40% of funding — from NIH.

Electric vehicle owners may have to pay a $250 annual fee in Maine

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • April 30, 2025

Maine may start charging owners of electric vehicles a $250 annual registration surcharge if a bipartisan proposal before lawmakers gets approved. The proposal is aimed at raising revenues for the state highway fund and making up for gas tax revenue that is lost with the increasing popularity of electric vehicles that don’t rely on gas. But it is also facing opposition from environmental groups that say the $250 charge is too high and runs counter to efforts to encourage people to buy electric vehicles and help the state meet its climate goals.

Canada-based Acadian Seaplants closed its Maine operations earlier this month

MAINE PUBLIC • April 30, 2025

Canada-based Acadian Seaplants has closed its Maine operations in Jonesboro, citing the exchange rate, transportation costs, and tariffs as the drivers of the decision. Company president and CEO Jean Pierre DeVeaux said tariffs will cost his business millions of dollars on an annual basis. He said if 25% tariffs continue it could drive Canada into a recession. Six staff members and 30 independent contractors are affected by the Jonesboro closure. The Maine Rockweed Council estimates 17 million pounds are removed each year along Maine's coast with a value of about $1 million.

Maine bill to ban floating camps meets some opposition

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • April 30, 2025

Businesses that offer rentals of floating houses moored off their docks or in front of their companies were the only ones who opposed a bill that would ban floating camps on Maine’s waters during a legislative hearing Wednesday. They suggested adding a grandfather clause to protect the businesses like them, including floating restaurants. The bill, L.D. 1763, An Act to Regulate Nonwater-dependent Floating Structures on Maine’s Waters, presented by Rep. Allison Hepler, D-Woolwich, would ban floating camps.

Maine activists at the helm of newly-formed national Coalition for Sludge-Free Land

MAINE PUBLIC • April 30, 2025

Maine activists are at the helm of the newly-formed Coalition for Sludge-Free Land launched Wednesday. Maine was the first state to ban land application of sludge in 2022 after the discovery of widespread PFAS contamination of farms. Representative Bill Pluecker, who chairs the legislature's Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee, said this coalition will allow Maine to advocate for changes across the country.

Opinion: Fight against climate change requires cooperation

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • April 30, 2025

When I think about all that’s wrong, I feel an acute sense of powerlessness. It’s not totally hopeless, though. We must integrate action across many scales to bolster awareness, implement comprehensive policies and build efficient structures for widespread change. While individual action may seem more attainable, scholars hope for it to spill over into the collective realm. By demonstrating that everyone has the ability to demand action from leaders, we can make meaningful change. Alone, we can only carry so much, but together we can make our home hospitable for generations to come. ~ Noa Nasoff, first-year student, Bowdoin College