by Andy O’Brien Free Press news story A Pittsfield-based solar installer is asking the Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to exempt certain solar customers from its new gross metering rules citing the high cost of installing new mandatory meters. In the PUC filing, Vaughan Woodruff, owner of Insource Renewables, argues that the PUC’s rules for Read More
Governor Paul LePage
Maine Can’t Go It Alone When It Comes to Air Pollution
By Marguerite Pennoyer, Special to the BDN Bangor Daily News op-ed Maine’s air has been dangerously unhealthy this summer. The Maine Department of Environmental Protection has issued more than two dozen notices for high ozone and unhealthy conditions since April. These air quality warnings expose the danger lurking behind last month’s proposal by the LePage Read More
Road Signs in the Works as Katahdin Woods and Waters’ Anniversary Approaches
David Sharp, The Associated Press Bangor Daily News news story At long last, Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument will soon have highway signs directing motorists to the federal recreation area, which boasts hiking, canoeing and camping, along with stunning views of Maine’s tallest mountain, Katahdin. The road signs won’t be installed before the monument’s Read More
Proposal would Relax State’s Restrictions on Rural Subdivisions
Maine’s Land Use Planning Commission wants to allow development within 10 miles by public road of any rural ‘hub.’ by David Sharp, The Associated Press Portland Press Herald news story The agency overseeing development in Maine’s vast wilderness is considering dramatic changes that would alter restrictions on where subdivisions and businesses can be built. The Read More
Ignoring Climate Change Puts Mainers in Danger
Politics has stifled research that would have helped the state prepare for a warming planet. Central Maine Newspapers editorial Policy driven by research works better than science driven by politics. Witness Maine, which experienced a historic explosion in its tick population, and not coincidentally, a 20-fold increase in Lyme disease diagnoses between 2000 and 2016 Read More
As Tick Threat Explode, State’s Reluctance to Address Climate Link May Threaten Public Health
The CDC says rising temperatures are partly to blame for the tripling of mosquito-, tick- and flea-borne illnesses from 2004 to 2016, but Maine’s governor, a climate skeptic, is tying public health officials’ hands. By Kristen Lombardi and Fatima Bhojani, The Center for Public Integrity Maine Sunday Telegram news story Maine’s invasion came early this Read More
Governor LePage Releases a Department of Environmental Protection Proposal
By Brianna Bires WABI-TV news story Watch full news story. AUGUSTA, Maine. (WABI)- “This proposal will increase air emissions and result in worse air quality in the state of Maine.” Governor LePage has released a proposal that may affect Maine’s air. A public hearing was held in Augusta to discuss that proposal which would remove ninety-eight Read More
Environmental, Tourism Groups Oppose Efforts to Change Pollution Limit Standards
By Mal Leary Maine Public news story For years, Maine has been part of a regional effort to reduce ozone pollution in the air that exacerbates asthma and has been linked to other health problems. Now, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection wants to adopt less stringent standards and move most of Maine out of Read More
LePage Administration Wants Most of Maine Withdrawn from Regional Air Pollution Program
Forest industry supporters of the proposal say Maine has little impact on air quality problems in the Northeast, but critics say it makes no sense to roll back a program that has reduced pollution here. by Kevin Miller, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — A LePage administration proposal to withdraw most of Read More
