Crowds and climate change strain nature, infrastructure on Mount Washington’s summit

MAINE MORNING STAR • December 26, 2025

High visitation has taken a toll on the unique and fragile alpine ecosystem atop the Northeast’s highest peak, where erosion, trampling, and invasive species are challenging the ability of native plants to thrive. according to a preliminary summit assessment. The report points to gaps in knowledge about possible chemical contamination legacies at the sites of former buildings on the summit, proposed safety and durability improvements for existing buildings, and suggested ways to improve visitor and staff experiences while protecting the integrity of the mountain itself. The ecosystem found on Mount Washington’s summit is rare. But invasive species, erosion, trampling, and climate change-driven shifts in weather patterns are limiting the success of native plant communities and wildlife at the summit.

Opinion: On Brunswick foam spill, key voices are missing

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • December 26, 2025

In his Nov. 30 op-ed “Setting the record straight on Brunswick foam spill,” Steve Levesque, former executive director of the Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority, wrote he is “saddened and disappointed” by the response of local officials to the August 2024 AFFF firefighting foam spill at Brunswick Landing. There are many others who are sad and disappointed about this environmental disaster and the response to it:
● Those who advised MRRA to insist the Navy remove the AFFF fire suppression systems.
● Safety inspectors who advised MRRA in 2023 to address issues with the Hangar 4 fire suppression system before it failed.
● The responders to the 2024 spill who worked without masks/ventilators and other protection.
● The residents, employees and patrons of Brunswick Landing businesses and educational institutions who are anxious about their exposure to toxins.
● Neighbors who have incurred hundreds of dollars in expenses testing their wells, installing filtration systems, or connecting to the municipal water system.
● Neighbors who wonder if the aquifers from which they draw water are also affected.
● Residents near the extensive “post-spill” soil piles who wonder if the dust that blows off and the rain water that washes through them might contain toxins.
● Pet owners who live on or visit the Landing and wonder if their pets’ health might be affected.
● The shellfish harvesters who have experienced closures of clam flats in Harpswell Cove, and other marine fishery interests who wonder about the safety of their harvests.
● People who visit nearby lands and waters who wonder if it is safe to walk, ski, bike, boat, swim, fish and hunt in these habitats.
~ Ralph Keyes lives near Brunswick Landing

Opinion: Maine must protect ratepayers from monopoly utility power

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • December 26, 2025

The Maine Public Utilities Commission’s recent rejection of Central Maine Power’s major rate increase request was a rare victory for ratepayers. But CMP is expected to file another rate case soon; understanding the regulatory context in which those decisions are made matters for Mainers, who are facing some of the nation’s fastest-rising electric rates. The time for action is now. Rapidly rising electric bills are discouraging electrification, slowing decarbonization and hitting vulnerable households and small businesses hardest. Public confidence is low, fueling political polarization and misdirected blame on clean energy. Meanwhile, CMP and Avangrid continue to report rising profits. Our regulators and utility laws are crucial to our shared future. Let’s make them as strong and as sensible as we can — and answerable to all of us, not just a few powerful interests. ~ Isabelle Winstead, legal and policy fellow for Our Power, a Maine nonprofit pushing for energy decisions made by and for the people of Maine

Farmington group notes 41 species for 126th Christmas Bird Count

RANGELEY HIGHLANDER • December 26, 2025

Area birders participated in the 126th Christmas Bird Count on Dec. 14, marking the 50th running of the Farmington Circle as part of the nation’s longest-running community science bird project. Nineteen participants surveyed birds across New Vineyard, Industry, downtown Farmington, New Sharon, West Farmington, East Wilton, Temple, Fairbanks and Strong. Together, they logged about 45 hours and recorded 41 species.

High Peaks Alliance prepares for leadership change, launches 2026 naturalist series

SUN JOURNAL • December 26, 2025

The High Peaks Alliance is preparing for a leadership transition as founding board member and current board President Lloyd Griscom steps down at the end of December, passing the role to longtime board member and Vice President John Rogers. Griscom helped launch the Alliance to ensure that local voices guided the future of Maine’s High Peaks, one of the state’s largest and most intact wild landscapes. Over his tenure, he played a central role in building trust among hunters, hikers, ATV riders, landowners, and conservation partners, turning early conflicts into long-term collaborations that balanced public access with habitat conservation. Looking ahead, the Alliance also announced the launch of the High Peaks Naturalist Series, a free monthly program of guided walks and talks led by certified Maine Master Naturalists. The series will begin in January 2026.

Maine Huts & Trails offers free guided winter programs starting Jan. 3

SUN JOURNAL • December 25, 2025

Maine Huts & Trails is launching a series of free, guided winter outdoor programs beginning Jan. 3, offering community members and visitors a chance to explore the organization’s trail network with expert guidance and an emphasis on accessibility and safety. The rotating schedule includes guided snowshoe outings, cross-country ski trips for a range of ability levels, family-friendly nature explorations and fat bike rides. All programs take place on sections of the Maine Huts trail system, which includes a 25-mile groomed linear trail and additional ungroomed side trails. Programs are open to the public at no cost, though participants are asked to bring their own equipment.

CDC warns of possible link between Salmonella outbreak, raw oyster consumption

MAINE PUBLIC • December 24, 2025

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are warning of a Salmonella outbreak that may be linked to contaminated oysters. As of Tuesday, 64 people in 22 states, including one in Maine, have been infected. But the CDC said there are likely more cases linked to the outbreak. Of the 44 cases with information available, 20 patients were hospitalized. No deaths have been reported. The CDC said many reported eating raw oysters. The agency is working to identify the source of the oysters.

A Mainer’s guide to a greener holiday cleanup

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • December 24, 2025

What’s recyclable in one Maine community may not be in the next, leaving the most well-intentioned residents feeling uncertain. But there are ways to trim the waste. Some coastal communities use discarded trees to prevent coastal erosion and stabilize shorelines. The Maine DEP suggests rural residents toss them in the backyard to enrich the soil and create wildlife habitat. Farms with goats are often happy to accept untreated trees as a winter snack. There are responsible ways to recycle old or broken lights. Staples stores throughout Maine have take-back programs that accept holiday lights. Scrunch wrapping paper into a tight ball. If it stays wrinkled and compressed, it is recyclable. If it bounces back, it contains non-paper materials like plastic or foil and must go in the trash. Standard alkaline batteries are not a fire risk and can be placed in the household trash. All rechargeable batteries must be taken to a designated take-back facility.

Proposed national parks of the United States

WIKIPEDIA • December 23, 2025

For an area to become a unit of the National Park System, it must possess nationally significant natural, cultural, or recreational resources; be a suitable and feasible addition to the system; and require direct management by the National Park Service (rather than protection by the private sector or other governmental agencies). Members of the United States Congress can authorize the NPS to conduct a special resource study to gather information surrounding potential inclusions into the National Park System. Each special resource study will examine each of the above four criteria individually. However, units of the System are ultimately created by legislation. Proposed parks which have seen legislation put forth in Congress are shaded in green in this list. Other proposals, including those by the public in the form of documents or editorials in local media, are also included.

ALERT: Defend the Clean Water Act

EARTH JUSTICE • December 23, 2025

Trump’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is set to give corporate polluters what they want and put many thousands of formerly protected wetlands and waterways at risk of toxic pollution and industrial development. Tell the administration that you oppose their plan to destroy critical clean water protections. Submit your comment today.

What the data show about Poland Spring's water withdrawals in Maine

MAINE PUBLIC • December 23, 2025

Since August, Maine has faced a persistent drought. The Maine-based Poland Spring bottled water company, which draws from sources in Fryeburg and other sites, said at the time it was voluntarily reducing withdrawals. Paul Blest, a reporter from the journalism outlet More Perfect Union, discovered that during September, Poland Spring was taking more water from both places than it did in September the two previous years. Maine Public's review of the data found that over the past two years, between January and September, Poland Spring's withdrawals increased by more than 40% in Fryeburg and nearly 23% in Denmark. But Poland Spring stands by its commitment to long-term sustainability. "I'm angry and I'm frustrated and I wish we had control of our water," said Emily Strahler, who serves as a trustee for the Fryeburg Water District. She says it was concerning to hear that residents' wells dried up over the summer and then find out that Poland Spring is extracting more water from the town this year than it did last.

Conservation groups appeal CMP transmission line plan warning of ‘bad precedent’

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • December 23, 2025

Several of Maine’s leading conservation organizations have filed an appeal with the state’s Board of Environmental Protection, challenging Central Maine Power’s conservation plan for the New England Clean Energy Connect transmission line. The groups say the plan falls short of protecting mature forests in western Maine as required under CMP’s permit. The appeal, filed by the Appalachian Mountain Club, Maine Audubon, Natural Resources Council of Maine and Trout Unlimited, argues that CMP’s plan prioritizes heavily logged areas rather than true mature forests, potentially setting a troubling precedent for future development projects.

This Atlantic Coast Scenic Byway Is the Road Trip of a Lifetime

WORLD ATLAS • December 23, 2025

If you wish to witness up close the sometimes rugged scenery of America's Atlantic coastline, there are a number of highway routes you can explore, ranging from the sun-baked sands of Florida to the wildernesses of New England. At nearly 147 miles in total length, the Bold Coast Scenic Byway in Maine covers one of the most incredible northern stretches, where cold waves crash against the area's towering cliffs, old-growth forests, and old-timey fishing towns year-round. 

Maine lawsuit challenges fly-fishing-only waters under right-to-food amendment

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • December 23, 2025

Joe and Samantha Legendre, with the support of the International Order of Theodore Roosevelt, have filed a civil suit against the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. They argue that IF&W’s designation of fly-fishing-only waters does not pass constitutional muster and that Maine’s new right-to-food constitutional amendment renders those designations unconstitutional. Of Maine’s more than 5,000 lakes and ponds, IF&W has designated 225 as fly-fishing-only waters. The Legendres previously sought to overturn Maine’s Sunday hunting ban because it interfered with a citizen’s right to obtain food by foraging for wild game on Sundays. That case was dismissed when the courts ruled IF&W and the Legislature have the legal authority to protect Maine’s natural resources through regulation and management. It is doubtful Maine voters intended the right-to-food amendment to create a free-for-all in the state’s woods and waters. ~ V. Paul Reynolds

Lawyers withdraw lawsuit on behalf of Mercer turkey farmer

CENTRAL MAINE • December 23, 2025

Lawyers have dropped a federal lawsuit against Maine state officials that was filed on behalf of a Mercer turkey farmer who later said he unknowingly became the sole plaintiff in the case. The attorneys — one from Maine and two from the national, [far right] Pacific Legal Foundation — filed the voluntary dismissal of Scott Greaney’s lawsuit Wednesday. The lawsuit questioned the constitutionality of the composition of the Maine Agriculture, Food System and Forest Products Infrastructure Investment Fund Advisory Board. The board oversees the investment fund, which is intended to strengthen Maine’s agricultural, food and forest products industries, prioritizing historically marginalized, underrepresented, and underserved communities; address barriers to capital access for businesses in those communities; expand investments in infrastructure; and establish technical assistance programs.

Maine revives Aroostook County wind power project

MAINE PUBLIC • December 22, 2025

Maine utility regulators are jumpstarting a major new wind power development and electric transmission line in Northern Maine. The Public Utilities Commission released a request for proposals last week and asked private developers to submit bids for the project by the end of February. The agency intends to build turbines that can produce up to 1,200 megawatts of electricity, enough to power about 475,000 homes. The development is meant to be paired with a major new transmission line linking wind generation near Houlton to an upgraded substation in Pittsfield. PUC Chair Phil Bartlett said in an interview that the project offers New England an opportunity for significant new inexpensive power at a time of surging electricity demand and high prices. The PUC awarded a similar contract for a power and transmission project in 2022, but cancelled the deal about a year later over cost concerns.

Rumford to lease old fire station as hub for recreation

SUN JOURNAL • December 22, 2025

The old Central Fire Station at 151 Congress St. is being leased to Inland Woods + Trails as a home base for recreation, according to Executive Director Gabe Perkins. The Select Board voted Dec. 17 to lease the historic 1924 building to the trail conservation group for three years. This will be a central location for office space, equipment storage, information center as well as a gear library. For contractors coming to do trail work or a state crew they’re thinking about bringing in to help elevate Maine’s outdoor recreation, the building can also serve as a place to sleep at night. Founded in 2011, Inland Woods + Trails serves communities in Western Maine through the management of high quality, durable trails and woods for all seasons. It owns 1,956 acres of community forest land in both Bethel and Rumford and maintains over 85 miles of trails in five towns throughout Oxford County.

US House passes bill to remove gray wolf from Endangered Species Act list

MAINE ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS • December 22, 2025

The U.S. House on Thursday passed, 211-204, a bill to remove Endangered Species Act protections for the gray wolf outside Alaska. The bill, sponsored by Colorado Republican Lauren Boebert, would direct the Interior secretary to reissue a 2020 rule removing ESA protections that delisted wolves other than the Mexican wolf in the lower 48 states, while stipulating it could not be challenged in court. The rule from President Donald Trump’s first administration was struck down by a federal court in 2022. House Natural Resources Committee ranking member Jared Huffman said the bill set a “troubling” precedent by blocking judicial review. “It tells the American people they no longer have the right to challenge unlawful government actions.”

Trump’s return brought stiff headwinds for clean energy. So why are advocates optimistic in 2026?

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • December 22, 2025

There were some highs amid a lot of lows in a roller coaster year for clean energy as President Donald Trump worked to boost polluting fuels while blocking wind and solar. Energy experts said clean energy must continue to grow to meet skyrocketing demand for electricity to power data centers and to lower Americans’ utility bills. Solar builder Jorge Vargas said it has been “a very tough year for clean energy” as Trump made headlines criticizing renewable energy and Republicans muscled a tax and spending cut bill through Congress in July that dramatically rolled back tax breaks for clean energy. Trump called wind and solar power “the scam of the century.” Companies can’t make billion-dollar investments with so much policy uncertainty. Consequently, greenhouse gas emissions will fall at a much lower rate than previously projected. The year ends with subsidies stripped back, a weakened supply chain, higher costs from tariffs and some customers questioning their commitment to clean energy.