They create solar disincentives that in the long term will undermine the public’s ability to benefit from private investments in solar and battery storage. by Vaughan Woodruff, president of Insource Renewables in Pittsfield and chair of the Committee on Renewable Energy, the trade association for Maine-based solar contractors Portland Press Herald op-ed PITTSFIELD — The Read More
Maine Economy
It’s Possible to Reduce Carbon Emissions Without Sacrificing Economic Growth
By Tom Tietenberg, Special to the BDN Bangor Daily News op-ed In 2005, Maine and eight other northeastern and mid-Atlantic states banded together to create the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative to reduce carbon emissions. The initiative is a form of carbon pricing. It sets an annual cap on the total amount of carbon dioxide emissions Read More
Philanthropist Seeks to Build $5 Million Outdoor Recreation Facility Near Baxter and National Monument
By Nick Sambides Jr., BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story SOLDIERTOWN TOWNSHIP, Maine — An organization funded by a millionaire philanthropist seeks a permit to build a $5 million outdoor education facility near Baxter State Park and the national monument, with hopes of opening it next fall. If permitted by the state Department of Read More
No Region Should be Denied the Opportunities that Come with a National Monument
By Richard Schmidt III, chairman of the Board of Selectmen in Patten Bangor Daily News op-ed From a front-row seat in Patten, I’ve witnessed the type of economic interest and activity that begins to percolate when a national monument gets designated. My town is one of the gateway communities to one of America’s newest monuments, Read More
Katahdin-area National Monument Already Paying Off for Locals
Real estate agents and small-business owners near the new Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument say they’re seeing an uptick in interest and activity. By Kevin Miller, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story It didn’t take long for Alison Perrin to notice a difference at her real estate office after a swath of woods Read More
The Wind is Finally at the Katahdin Region’s Back, and It’s Thanks to the Monument
By Dan Corcoran, Special to the BDN Bangor Daily News op-ed I’ve been a real estate agent in the Katahdin region for the past 13 years. Before that, I spent 30 years with Great Northern Paper’s Woodlands Division as manager of forest policy and real estate leases throughout northern Maine. Real estate, like anything, has Read More
A Strong Solar Industry Will Grow Our Economy, Keep Our Energy Dollars Here
By David Woodsome and Martin Grohman, Special to the BDN Bangor Daily News op-ed Maine’s interest in energy independence is rooted in some of our greatest natural resources, such as water and wood. Increasingly, more Mainers are turning to another abundant resource — the sun. All Mainers benefit when homeowners and businesses such as Smith’s Read More
Son of National Monument Visionary Exploring Next Steps for Katahdin-area Site
It’s still early, but Lucas St. Clair has visited national parks to gain insight and wants a Quimby foundation to help nearby communities thrive. by Deirdre Fleming Portland Press Herald news story Hanging on the wall of his office in Portland’s West End is a photo of a smiling Lucas St. Clair canoeing with U.S. Read More
It’s Time for Katahdin Region to Decide How to Grow Alongside the Monument
By Lindsay Downing, Special to the BDN Bangor Daily News op-ed After college and a few years of travel, my husband and I recently decided to return to my home town of Mount Chase to take over the family business — Mt. Chase Lodge. It was a difficult decision. We were coming home to a Read More