by Whit Richardson, staff writer Bangor Daily News news story AUGUSTA, Maine — The Board of Environmental Protection on Friday afternoon voted 5-0 to approve new mining rules that govern metallic mining operations in the state. At issue are detailed rules developed by the Department of Environmental Protection in accordance with LD 1853, new mining Read More
Maine Should Lead Washington on Climate Policy
by Peter Mills and Sharon S. Tisher Bangor Daily News op-ed It is fortunate for all 7 billion people on Earth that humans are finally learning new ways to produce and use energy. Examples are legion: hybrid cars, LED light bulbs, more economical wind, solar and hydropower, super-insulated buildings and fiber-optic communications to reduce physical Read More
Baxter State Park Authority Accepts 43-acre Katahdin Lake Easement
by John Holyoke, BDN staff Bangor Daily News news story The Baxter State Park Authority on Monday voted to accept a conservation easement on an historic 43-acre lot that includes 500 feet of shore frontage on Katahdin Lake. The easement was granted by the James Sewall family, which offered an unconditional gift of various conservation Read More
Clam Diggers Can’t Weather Climate Change
Invasive green grabs are eating shellfish on which a $55 million industry depends. by Sara Randall Maine Sunday Telegram editorial FREEPORT — Clam diggers rely on a healthy marine environment in order to provide nourishing whole food to citizens and contribute to the economy. However, the ability of Maine’s diggers to continue their livelihood is Read More
How to Prepare for Maine’s Next Big, Windy Industry
Bangor Daily News editorial One day, there will be an offshore wind energy industry in the United States. Maine can either prepare for it now — by fostering a stable environment for related business, technology and education growth — or lose later. New industries with potential to create thousands of jobs do not come to Read More
Groups Join Coalition Calling for Bold Action to Advance Offshore Wind in Atlantic
NRCM press release With critical federal tax incentives set to expire on December 31, twelve Maine organizations joined more than 230 other organizations and elected officials Wednesday to urge the Obama Administration to take swift, bold action to facilitate the development of offshore wind power. Their letter to the President is available here. A 12-megawatt (MW) offshore Read More
State Regulators Dig Into Maine Mining Rules
An overhaul aimed at updating standards alarms environmentalists. by North Cairn, staff writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — State regulations that would make it easier for mining companies to operate in Maine moved one step closer to completion Tuesday as the Board of Environmental Protection voted to post for public comment new changes Read More
Offshore Wind Project Will Benefit Maine’s Economy and the Environment
The state is in a strong position to compete for a pilot project grant from U.S. Department of Energy. by Sara Gideon Portland Press Herald op-ed FREEPORT — What if, right now in Maine, a project proposed making good use of two of our state’s greatest assets: Maine’s natural resources and the University of Maine’s Read More
Feds Tell Portland Pipe Line Corp. that Any Future Plans to Carry Tar Sands Must be Reviewed
by Whit Richardson, staff writer Bangor Daily News news story SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine — In what opponents are characterizing as a reversal of an earlier decision, the U.S. Department of State in August informed the Portland Pipe Line Corp. that it wants to review any future plans the company may propose to reverse the flow Read More
