Read the latest news stories and opinion pieces related to the environment, including Maine’s air, land, water, and wildlife, in this month’s News & Noteworthy.
September 30, 2020
This week starts off with more solar news. A new solar array in Southport, on the Maine coast near Boothbay Harbor, went online.
The Portland Press Herald celebrates the signing of the Great American Outdoors Act earlier this year, but says the work doesn’t end there.
Poland Spring Bottling Company and the University of Maine have teamed up to come up with alternatives to plastics in Poland Spring water bottles.
Are you in the market for a new vehicle? Are you looking at an electric car? A new Consumer Reports piece shows that electric vehicles cost less to maintain than gas-powered vehicles. So you save money on gas and on maintenance!
Read a recent Portland Press Herald op-ed about climate change and how we can’t wait to take action. We need to take action now.
And finally this week, read The Revelator story featuring NRCM’s staff scientist, answering the question, “Is New England’s Biggest Renewable Energy Project Really a Win for Climate?” *spoiler alert: the answer is no!
September 23, 2020
If you missed our webinar with U.S. Senator Angus King to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the unanimous Senate vote to pass the Clean Air Act, you can watch the webinar here, or see the News Center Maine and WABI-TV news stories to learn more.
Wolfden Resources continues to try to move ahead with its plan for a metal mining operation in Maine’s North Woods, near Baxter State Park and the Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument. The latest move is the company’s request to the Land Use Planning Commission to narrow the review process, which NRCM and others think should not happen. Read more in this news story from The County.
Here’s some good news in a Portland Press Herald story, announcing that the Maine Public Utilities Commission approved 17 renewable energy projects (mostly solar) around the state.
Speaking of solar, Saddleback Mountain is looking to build a solar farm, as the new owners prepare for the first winter back for this popular western Maine ski resort.
On August 14, 2020, the hottest average daily temperature ever recorded in the Gulf of Maine was recorded. Did you know that the Gulf of Maine is one of the fastest-warming water bodies on earth?
The cities of Portland and South Portland last week released their plans to act on climate by reducing carbon emissions and working to eliminate virtually all waste by 2050.
September 15, 2020
Federal Report Warns of Financial Havoc From Climate Change —New York Times
Maine Economy Could Take 15% Hit by 2050 without Climate Action, Report Finds —Bangor Daily NEws
Falmouth Council Looks to Recycle Ban on Plastic Bags —Portland Press Herald
Knox County Looks to Build $10M Solar Farm at Regional Airport —Bangor Daily News
Electric Car Charging Station Donated to Presque Isle —WAGM-TV
CMP, Avangrid Spend Dark Money to Drum Up Support for Controversial Power Corridor —Maine Monitor
September 8, 2020
Let’s start off with some good news about fish passage on the Cobboseecontee Stream in Gardiner.
Read former NRCM executive director and current Maine State Senator Brownie Carson’s recent Portland Press Herald op-ed about the Great American Outdoors Act.
According to new analysis by the Maine Climate Council, Maine’s economy could take a 15% hit by 2050 if no action is taken to address climate change. Read more in this Bangor Daily News news story.
Stephen Kasprzak shares his thoughts about the need for an environmental impact study for Hydro-Quebec’s reservoir dams in his recent Sun Journal op-ed.
To learn more about the impact COVID-19 has on the ocean’s plastic pollution problems, read this article in Scientific American.
And, finally, read this New York Times investigative piece about Big Oil and its plan to flood Africa with plastic.
