Read highlights from August 2022 news stories and opinion pieces related to the environment, including Maine’s air, land, water, and wildlife, in this News & Noteworthy from the Natural Resources Council of Maine.
August 30, 2022
The Bangor Daily News editorial board wrote a piece earlier this week saying that the Inflation Reduction Act bill recently signed into law includes language that makes it clear that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has the authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. Good news, especially after the recent Supreme Court ruling that reduced EPA’s authority to regulate them.
The only road to Deer Isle on Maine’s coast is threatened by rising seas caused by climate change. Read more in the Bangor Daily News.
Some good news from Maine’s coast: one oyster farm is trying to eliminate plastics from its seafood packaging. Learn more in this News Center Maine video.
We can also look to Maine’s forests for help in combating climate change through land conservation.
We recently announced four new members of NRCM’s Board of Directors, and the Portland Press Herald also mentioned them in its On the Move section.
To anyone who spent time in Maine this summer, it is probably no surprise, but once again Maine’s state parks are on track to break their visitor records again this year.
And we want to end today’s News & Noteworthy with our congratulations to OceanView retirement community in Falmouth for hiring their first sustainability coordinator, Hannah Crayton.
August 18, 2022
This week, Senator Susan Collins helped secure funding so that the Biddeford Saco Old Orchard Beach Transit can purchase two electric buses to replace old diesel buses.
Also this week, NRCM released the results of our 2022 survey of electric vehicle owners in Maine. Read more about it and why EV owners love their cars in this Bangor Daily News article.
Speaking of EVs, a new EV rental business has just opened up in Bar Harbor, to help people explore Acadia National Park without creating climate-changing pollution while they do.
Just down the road from NRCM’s office in Augusta, the Maine Department of Transportation will be working to install new solar arrays at two exits off Interstate 95 and at the Augusta airport.
You may be wondering about the Inflation Reduction Act and what it means for Maine. Hear from NRCM Climate & Clean Energy Director Jack Shapiro in this Maine Monitor story as he helps to answer that question.
Last week we mentioned the possible expansion of the Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument. The Bangor Daily News editorial board thinks that this is an endorsement of the success of the Monument, and passing the bill will make the Monument more accessible to more people.
Along with enjoying the beauty of Maine, you can enjoy the beauty of artwork by Maine artists as you visit some parks this summer. Learn more in this Portland Press Herald piece.
And finally this week, people in the Moosehead region are hoping to become a mountain biking destination with plans for a biking trail system. Learn more.
August 11, 2022
As we get ready to celebrate the sixth anniversary of the establishment of the Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument later this month, it was announced that a federal bill co-sponsored by both of Maine’s US Senators was introduced, and it would create easier access to the Monument. Good news for visitors and local businesses!
A new initiative at Maine Maritime Academy (MMA) in Castine will test technology that would allow the school’s ships to store energy and send it back to the grid when its not being used. MMA is partnering with a San Diego tech company on this project.
The Town of Jay has signed an agreement with ReVision Energy to receive solar power credits, which will in turn reduce the Town’s energy costs.
Many of you have already read the latest Birding with Jeff and Allison blog post about a “mega-rare” bird spotted in Maine recently. That blog created a lot of buzz, and you can learn more about the Tufted Puffin’s visit to Maine in this full News Center Maine video interview with co-author of the blog, Jeff Wells.
NRCM Staff Scientist Nick Bennett is quoted in this Maine Public story about Wolfden Resources trying again to convince northern Maine towns that a mine near Baxter State Park and the Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument is a good idea. NRCM and many others disagree.
August 4, 2022
NRCM’s Allison Wells and her husband Jeff recently wrote a blog about a rare bird spotted in Maine recently, the Tufted Puffin. Read the original blog, and then see stories about it from WGME-TV and yesterday’s Portland Press Herald.
A vote is expected soon in the US Senate on the Inflation Reduction Act, which includes the largest-ever investment in climate action in US history. In today’s Frontline Voices podcast, NRCM’s Colin Durrant spoke with representatives of the Environmental Defense Fund and the National Wildlife Federation to get their perspectives on what this would mean for Maine and the country.
Getting outside to enjoy fresh air and exercise is something many of us take for granted. A small town in Aroostook County has made it a priority to make outside play more accessible for people by building an inclusive playground (for children and adults).
Today marks the second anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act, which has benefited national parks throughout the United States, including Acadia National Park here in Maine.
Speaking of anniversaries, later this month we will celebrate the sixth anniversary of the establishment of the Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument. Maine author Laurie Apgar Chandler has written a new book, Through Woods & Waters: A Solo Journey to Maine’s New National Monument. Visit your local bookstore to get a copy to enjoy before, during, or after you head to the Monument to see it for yourself!
Were you unable to join us in July as we celebrated the six outstanding young winners of the 2022 Brookie Awards? The Portland Press Herald was there and shares some photos and information from the night’s events.
Many Mainers are investing in energy-efficient heat pumps to help them avoid using oil to heat their homes, especially as prices skyrocket. For people in Maine who deal with very cold temperatures in the winter, some good news from a recent study: these heat pumps can perform well in below-freezing temperatures. It’s hard to think about that cold weather as today is supposed to reach 90+ degrees, but we know winter is just around the corner.
In the past few weeks, five new community solar projects across Maine, helping almost 2,000 Mainers get their power from a renewable energy source. Great news!
And finally this week, Maine has received $20 million from the federal infrastructure bill to clean up brownfields and redevelop them.
