by Colin Woodard, staff writer Portland Press Herald news story For 178 years, dams stood across the Penobscot River here, obstructing salmon and other river-run fish from reaching the watershed’s vast spawning grounds, which extend all the way to the Quebec border. Now, two years after the dam’s removal, the salmon’s proponents fear the fish Read More
climate change
As Gulf of Maine Warms, Puffins Recast as Canaries in a Coal Mine
by Colin Woodard, staff writer Portland Press Herald news story The puffins are having a better year. On a late June day, the adults are landing on the rocky shore of this 7-acre bird sanctuary in flights of three or four, their bright red and yellow beaks stuffed with sand lance, tiny haddock and white Read More
Maine’s Leadership on Climate Change Helps Lower Energy Costs, Too
By Warren Kessler, Special to the BDN Bangor Daily News op-ed Over the past decade, Maine has taken several leadership steps on climate change. We were the first state to adopt a law setting targets and establishing a state plan to reduce carbon emissions. Maine then helped develop and joined the first multistate program to Read More
Winslow Passes Rules to Pave the Way for Massive Solar Project
Ranger Solar of Yarmouth has proposed building a $25 million commercial solar station on about 100 acres. By Peter McGuire, Central Maine Central Maine newspapers news story WINSLOW — Town councilors unanimously approved regulations on utility-scale solar-electric projects, paving the way for possible construction of a huge commercial solar array in town. In short order Read More
Update @Pontifex: Pope Francis Goes to Washington
Update on my June blog post on Pope Francis’s encyclical on climate change: Pope Francis arrived in DC on Tuesday night, and on Wednesday morning, addressed the nation from the lawn of the White House, so it seems like a good time to update my blog post from June. Although the Pope addressed a lot Read More
South Portland Eyes Major Solar Energy Expansion
By Alex Acquisto The Forecaster news story SOUTH PORTLAND — Powering city facilities with solar energy is now a tangible goal on the not-too-distant horizon. A request for proposals was sent out to bidders across the country Sept. 4 by City Manager Jim Gailey for the installation of solar photovoltaic systems for eight municipal buildings Read More
First Survey Ever of Maine Electric Car Owners: They Love Their Cars, Save Money on Fuel, Live Across Maine
Today, the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM) released the first detailed survey of electric car owners in Maine. The release comes a few days before an annual Drive Electric Day celebration to be held Sunday September 13, noon to 4:00 at South Portland Community Center. This event is sponsored by NRCM and others, and Read More
Rural Maine Can Grow with Solar, Clean Power Plan Can Help
By Vaughan Woodruff, Special to the BDN Bangor Daily News op-ed Earlier this summer I was invited to speak at Bowdoin College for an event hosted by Envision Maine titled “Maine’s Economy and Climate Change.” In my opening remarks I noted that a slight adjustment to the event’s title would describe a topic that is Read More
Lobster Population Shifting North as Ocean Temps Warm
The dropping numbers in Connecticut and Rhode Island have put many lobstermen out of business. By Patrick Whitte The Associated Press news story The lobster population has crashed to the lowest levels on record in southern New England while climbing to heights never before seen in the cold waters off Maine and other northern reaches Read More
