Maine CDC urges residents and visitors to prepare for active mosquito season

WABI-TV5 • July 1, 2025

The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention is urging residents and visitors to prepare for an active mosquito season due to the warm and rainy weather. The Maine CDC says infected mosquitoes in Maine can spread three viruses: Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus, Jamestown Canyon virus, and West Nile virus. Symptoms from mosquito-borne diseases can range from mild to severe while many people may show no symptoms. The Maine CDC says that if some severe infections go untreated they can lead to death or long term-health problems.

Gov. Mills says GOP bill will hurt Maine residents

MAINE PUBLIC • July 1, 2025

Gov. Janet Mills said the reconciliation bill will dramatically shift costs from the federal government to Maine, and those are expenses the state cannot absorb. President Trump campaigned on lowering the cost of living, Mills said, but this bill finances tax cuts for the wealthy without bringing down costs for everyday goods. She said the bill will drive up energy costs, hurt rural hospitals and slash food assistance. The bill will hurt residents across Maine, Mills said, especially those in rural areas.

Trump's policy bill would eliminate home efficiency incentives

MAINE PUBLIC • July 1, 2025

Incentives to help homeowners improve efficiency and save on their power bills would be eliminated under a major policy bill championed by President Trump. Under the so-called "Big Beautiful Bill" the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Tax Credit would phase out at the end of the year. That program provides incentives to weatherize homes, install heat pumps or replace hot water heaters and boilers with more efficient models. "These are things that really end up saving a lot of money in the long term for families. Those credits ending at the end of the year are going to have significant impact," said Anya Fetcher, a federal policy advocate at the Natural Resources Council of Maine.

Maine joins 14 other states in challenging Trump’s energy emergency

MAINE MORNING STAR • July 1, 2025

President Donald Trump’s energy emergency declaration, enacted through a Jan. 20 executive order, has drawn frequent criticism from environmentalists who argue the order serves as a front to expand the use of fossil fuels over clean energy resources. Now 15 states, including Maine, are suing the Trump administration, arguing the emergency order could bring them serious harm.

Opinion: Legislative roadblocks are driving up Maine’s energy costs

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • July 1, 2025

Maine is facing a growing energy affordability crisis, and one of the root causes is policy. Time and again, decisions from the Maine Legislature made energy more expensive. For example, Maine first began trying to import clean hydropower from Canada in the 1980s. The New England Clean Energy Connect Project is close to coming online to deliver 1,200 megawatts of Canadian hydropower to the New England grid in Maine. Yet this, and projects like it, have been met by fierce resistance, fueled by misinformation and political rhetoric. Then there’s Maine’s net energy billing program, which enables residents and businesses to offset electricity costs with solar generation. This program has been subject to constant legislative changes. Finally, there’s the mother of all legislative blunders — the decision to deregulate Maine’s electricity markets. Maine’s energy future depends on cooperation — not conflict. ~ Scott Strom, Waterville, former state representative

Here’s another reason to hate ticks

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • July 1, 2025

For a female tick, fall is the last best chance to be in prime egg-laying condition for next spring. To successfully reproduce, the female tick needs a male tick to fertilize her eggs, a full meal of blood and a spot under the leaf litter to spend the winter in a dormant state. The result of this dormant state can be quite startling, because the female tick can survive the entire winter without a host. There are examples of people placing ticks in jars for weeks, or even months, only to see the insect suddenly start to lay eggs after all that time.

Maine law revives talks on Boston-to-Montreal passenger rail through Auburn

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • June 30, 2025

Talks on a long-sought Boston-to-Montreal passenger rail service will be revived after new legislation directs two commissions to study the feasibility of restoring the connection. The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Peggy Rotundo, D-Lewiston, directs advisory commissions with jurisdiction over Maine’s relationship with Canada and New England to study the feasibility of restoring passenger rail from Boston to Montreal. The connection has been discussed for years in both New England and Canada, but faces tremendous obstacles — namely securing the appropriate rail access and millions of dollars in funding for upgrades.

Bowdoin College Plans New Pollinator Gardens for Campus

BOWDOIN COLLEGE • June 30, 2025

A landscaping crew—with help from willing ecology students—will begin the process next fall of converting small patches of lawn at the Bowdoin College campus in Brunswick into pollinator habitat. The gardens will be “99.9 percent” filled with native plants. Once they mature, they'll burst into a palette of colorful, nectar-rich blossoms every spring and summer. The new gardens will help support wasps, bees, butterflies, flies, beetles, and other insects that are lured to scented flower petals and sweet nectar. As the insects drink the sugary compound, they kickstart the life-sustaining process of pollination that fertilizes new seeds.

Senate GOP tax bill could crush wind and solar power, advocates say

ASSOCIATED PRESS • June 30, 2025

Clean energy advocates were already bracing for a Republican-led bill that would phase out tax credits for wind, solar and other renewable energy as President Donald Trump and GOP lawmakers moved to dismantle the 2022 climate law passed by Democrats under former President Joe Biden. But a proposal that emerged over the weekend was even more drastic than they thought. It was more aggressive in ending incentives for clean energy than a previous Senate version and would even impose new taxes on some wind and solar projects while boosting production of coal.

Brunswick council doesn’t support expanded biosolids digester

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • June 30, 2025

The Brunswick Town Council unanimously voted Monday night to inform a natural gas company that it does not support the expansion of a biosolids digester in the town. In 2023, a firm called Viridi Energy bought an anaerobic digester in Brunswick Landing, which creates energy out of organic waste, such as the solid material that’s removed from sewage at wastewater treatment plants. Now, Viridi is attempting to scale up its production of electricity and natural gas at the biodigester — it plans to take 85,000 tons of biosolids a year, reducing it to less than 10,000 tons of leftover sludge that would be sent to Juniper Ridge Landfill in Old Town. Brunswick residents say they reject the idea of odor, increased truck traffic and potential increased PFAS contaminants coming into the growing former U.S. Naval Air Station.

Anti-clean energy provisions in GOP bill will be ‘a disaster’ for Maine, warn advocates

MAINE MORNING STAR • June 30, 2025

Clean energy advocates are warning that the most recent version of the congressional special bill that proposes to cut credits and implement significant restrictions to clean energy projects could raise prices for Mainers, threaten new industry jobs and thwart the state’s climate goals. “By every measure this bill is a disaster for the hard-working people of Maine, and it will be especially devastating for the clean air and water that is central to our way of life,” said Anya Fetcher, federal policy advocate for the Natural Resources Council of Maine. 

Maine issues new fish consumption limits for PFAS-tainted waters

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • June 30, 2025

The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention updated its fish consumption advisory on Friday, adding four freshwater sites containing elevated levels of harmful toxic chemicals, known as PFAS, and beefing up protections for two other locations. The Maine Department of Environmental Protection found unsafe levels of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, or PFOS, in fish collected in 2024 from:
• Lovejoy Pond in Albion
• Sebasticook River in Burnham and Benton
• Collyer Brook in Gray
• Androscoggin Lake in Leeds and Wayne
The latest test results also prompted Maine CDC to beef up consumption guidelines for two already listed spots: no more than 10 fish of any kind a year from Annabessacook Lake in Monmouth and Winthrop and no more than three fish of any kind a year from Messalonskee Stream in Oakland and Waterville.

Letter: Sen. Collins shouldn’t support cuts that derail Maine’s climate work

CENTRAL MAINE • June 30, 2025

A recent article highlighted the fact that Maine’s climate plan is at risk due to cuts in the proposed federal budget, and I’m asking Sen. Susan Collins to vote against those cuts. The Maine Climate Council has done a good job of looking at those changes and making recommendations for the state’s climate action plan. The proposed cuts, though, would make their job much harder, if not impossible. To truly help Mainers, Sen. Collins should vote against the proposed cuts and work to make sure the necessary funding is restored. ~ Erica Bartlett, Portland

Battles over public lands loom even after sell-off proposal fails

MAINE MORNING STAR • June 30, 2025

Hunters, hikers and outdoors lovers of all stripes mounted a campaign this month against a Republican proposal to sell off millions of acres of federal public land. The public outcry was so forceful that the measure’s sponsor, GOP US Sen. Mike Lee, pledged to scale back the proposal. Then on Saturday, before an initial U.S. Senate vote on Republicans’ tax and spending cuts package, he withdrew it altogether. But even though the land sales proposal was defeated, experts say federal lands face a slew of other threats from President Donald Trump’s administration.

Maine potato scientists say conditions are ripe for late blight

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • June 30, 2025

Aroostook County potato growers should watch plants closely for late blight symptoms, crop scientists said Friday. High heat and humidity, followed by wet weather, make ideal conditions for the disease, according to the University of Maine Cooperative Extension’s most recent Potato Pest Alert. Late blight is a fungal disease that affects potatoes and tomatoes, and can cause widespread crop destruction.

Maine Calling: Best of Maine

MAINE PUBLIC • June 30, 2025

What, or who, best represents Maine? Mount Katahdin? Stephen King? The LL Bean boot? Lobster? Something else? Whatever your answer, the Maine Semiquincentennial Commission wants to hear from you. The commission is asking for nominations for the Maine Atlas Project, part of Maine’s celebration of America’s 250th birthday. Hear suggestions from panelists and listeners about what they think makes up the best of Maine. Panelists: Sarah Hansen, Maine Semiquincentennial Commission; Bill Green, longtime host of Bill Green’s Maine on WCSH/WLBZ; Emily Burnham, author, writer; former columnist with the Bangor Daily News. VIP caller: Shenna Belllows, Maine Secretary of State; leads the Maine Semiquincentennial Committee

Proposed zoning changes would allow for more solar in Yarmouth

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • June 30, 2025

The Yarmouth Planning Board is considering zoning rule changes that would allow for a variety of solar panels in parts of town. Much like the proposed project that prompted the town to examine the allowance of solar, the amendments received mostly negative public feedback at a meeting on June 25. One goal of the Yarmouth Climate Action Plan, adopted last year, is to increase the use of renewable energy in the town. At the Planning Board workshop, residents largely focused on concerns about solar arrays impacting the Holy Cross Cemetery or requiring clearing of woods and shorelines, a valuable ecosystem.

Editorial: Hold Maine’s paper mills to higher standards

MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM • June 29, 2025

Two highly polluting Maine paper mills, one in Rumford and one in Skowhegan, are among the dirtiest in America. By continuing to burn coal and tires among other dirty fuels, these plants are filling the air we breathe with hazardous pollutants and warming the climate in the process. Maine should make every effort to support and future-proof industries with a strong and especially valuable foothold in the state. When it comes to our remaining paper mills relying on the existing EPA emissions framework does us a grave disservice. With a goal of 100% clean energy by 2040 and with a view to both protecting the health of local residents and slashing greenhouse gas emissions, it’s time to be clear and unwavering about modernizing and cleaning up these operations.

Column: Climbing Katahdin can be dangerous. Take these steps to stay safe.

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • June 28, 2025

There is no easy trail to the top of Katahdin — every route is steep and strenuous. The rocky trails range from 9 to 11 miles round-trip, with anywhere from 3,800 to 4,200 feet of elevation gain. Physical and mental preparation in advance of your big hike is a must; this is best accomplished through lots of hiking, in all types of conditions. Plan on carrying the “Ten Essentials” plus a few extras. Don’t hike alone. Get a paper trail map, select a climbing route and study it. Practice basic map and compass skills. Navigate using a GPS phone app. Pack a first aid kit and know how to use it. Make good use of the most important tool you’re carrying: your brain. With a maximum of care, go forth to reap the reward of Maine’s greatest hiking experience. Have fun! ~ Carey Kish

1 person rescued Friday from the Penobscot River

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • June 28, 2025

One person was rescued Friday night from the Penobscot River. Firefighters received the call for a water rescue at 6:09 p.m. Crews from Hampden Fire responded with a truck, boat and ambulance. Crews were able to bring the person safely to shore for medical treatment.