Funding already approved for Augusta’s Howard Hill and other projects is in question as Gov. Paul LePage threatens to withhold Land for Maine’s Future bonds. By Michael Shepherd, Staff Writer Kennebec Journal news story AUGUSTA — A project that would preserve the wooded backdrop to the Maine State House has a problem in the Maine Read More
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Public Land Becomes Epicenter in State Fight
Critics of the governor’s intent to increase timber harvesting and divert its revenues worry about a shift in how forests are managed. By Kevin Miller, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story Nestled between Moosehead Lake and Baxter State Park are 44,000 acres of state-owned land where hikers roam Maine’s largest roadless backcountry and fishermen Read More
LePage Bond Threat Puts Land Preservation—and Maine’s Reputation—at Risk
By The BDN Editorial Board Bangor Daily News editorial Gov. Paul LePage has again threatened to withhold bond funding until he gets what he wants. This time, he is holding hostage money for the Land for Maine’s Future program — bonds voters approved in 2010 and 2012 — until he gets approval to cut more Read More
LePage Won’t Sell Conservation Bonds Without Timber Harvest Deal
The governor’s stance casts doubt on the ongoing viability of the Land for Maine’s Future program. By Kevin Miller, Portland Press Herald staff reporter Kennebec Journal news story AUGUSTA — A LePage administration official said Tuesday that Gov. Paul LePage does not plan to sell more bonds for Land for Maine’s Future projects and that Read More
Governor Puts the Brakes on Two Dozen Conservation Projects
By George Smith Bangor Daily News blog The room was packed, most unusual for a meeting of the Land for Maine’s Future Board. Extra chairs were squeezed into the small room, but some folks still had to stand. The news that Governor Paul LePage was refusing to permit the LMF Board to use bond money to Read More
Environmental Advocates Push Solar, Energy Efficiency Bills
Associated Press news story AUGUSTA (AP) — Environmental advocates called on the divided Maine Legislature on Thursday to back a series of bill this session they say will expand the use of solar power, help residents cut their heating bills and bolster wildlife protections. The six-bill package outlined by the Environmental Priorities Coalition includes measures Read More
Land, Water, Wildlife to Get Attention from Maine Legislature
This session’s bills address such issues as mining rules, ‘microbeads,’ pesticides, bear hunting, lake protection and disposable plastic bags. By Kevin Miller, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story State lawmakers will grapple with a mix of old and new environmental issues this legislative session, taking up measures that range from a renewed push to Read More
Energy Efficiency Saves Jackson Laboratory More than 1 Million KwH, Thanks to Funds from Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative
NRCM news release For more information, see: www.nrcm.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/JacksonLab9.pdf While businesses across Maine are scrambling to deal with the electric price increases that are slated to hit customers this winter, Jackson Lab has already taken steps to help ease its exposure, through wise energy-efficient investments over the last few years. “With help from Efficiency Maine and Read More
Using Less is Maine’s Only Option to Dull Winter Electricity Price Spike
Bangor Daily News editorial Maine utility regulators have been warning of a big increase in electricity prices this winter. The problem is that the northeast is heavily reliant on natural gas for electric power generation. With limited pipeline capacity, the region’s growing demand for gas can’t be met. Natural gas is the largest source of Read More
