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On Monday, May 21, the Gardiner Conservation Committee, Buildings and Grounds and Public Works will be planting trees purchased with a grant from Project Canopy at the Arcade Parking lot and on the Gardiner Common. Trees make our world a better place. They filter the air we breath, they give us shade on a hot day and healthy trees beautify our surroundings.
Among its actions this week, the Legislature defeated a controversial “regulatory takings” bill that would have cost Maine taxpayers millions of dollars, caused a proliferation of lawsuits, and blocked future laws that may be necessary to protect Maine’s environment, people, and communities. This action came when the House and Senate voted to “indefinitely postpone” LD 1810—which means the bill is now officially dead.
Last night Canadian pipeline giant Enbridge announced plans for a massive increase in pipeline capacity to bring dirty tar sands oil from Canada to global markets via the United States. One of the biggest components of the plan is to reverse the flow of its entire crude oil pipeline between Ontario and Montreal, for the purpose of transporting tar sands crude oil east. This would be the full build-out of Enbridge’s portion of the so-called “Trailbreaker” pipeline project in development for several years. This announcement could bring tar sands oil nearly to New England.
A recently completed joint study between the Maine Geological Survey and the U.S. Geological Survey shows not only that the Freeport watershed has an adequate water supply for local use, but it also has resulted in a new, three-dimensional computer model that will help future water studies, according to state officials.
The recent boom in U.S. natural gas production has been hailed as thecure to all America’s ills. Gas, its boosters say, can reduce household heating expenses, enhance energy security, create jobs, and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
A regional 1-day Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event will be held on Saturday, May 19th, 2012 at the Augusta Public Works Complex located at 55 North Street in Augusta. The following communities are participating: Augusta, Belgrade, Fayette, Gardiner, Hallowell, Manchester, Monmouth, Readfield, Wayne, and Winthrop. Kennebec Valley Council of Governments is assisting with project coordination. Residents of these communities need to register with their individual town. Pre-registration is required.
State and federal officials on Thursday announced the start of a statewide survey to hunt for an invasive insect that threatens to destroy Maine’s ash trees. Starting this month, a total of 955 distinctive, purple bug traps will be placed high up in the canopy of local ash trees at specified locations to see if the emerald ash borer (EAB), an invasive insect that has destroyed millions of acres of ash trees in other parts of the U.S., is present in Maine.
The rule making proceeding was initiated in the summer of 2010 when Maine’s Citizen’s Task Force on Wind Power brought a citizens’ petition to the Board of Environmental Protection (BEP). Friends of Maine’s Mountains (FMM) Attorney Rufus Brown assembled a team of experts and presented a solid case for enhanced protection from turbine noise emissions. Despite steadfast opposition by the wind lobby, the BEP heeded the testimony of experts, citizens and those who are suffering from the effects of wind turbine noises, and in September they provisionally adopted new rules.
Recognizing that schools, hospitals, and many commercial businesses are concerned about rising oil prices and their dependence on fossil fuel, Pelletco LLC, a Maine-grown company, has developed an alternative high energy, low moisture patented pellet fuel offering significant savings over fossil fuels by 50-70%. Pelletco’s pellet is made from sustainable, renewable resources from Maine’s forests and grasslands and is mixed with a polymer binder, creating 37-percent more energy in a more durable and water-resistant pellet.
A coalition of 11 groups, including Environment Maine, Natural Resources Council of Maine, Sierra Club Maine, ENE (Environment Northeast), and Conservation Law Foundation, submitted the comments, which focus on the environmental and public health dangers presented by the tar sands project and the need for a comprehensive environmental and public safety review. If fully completed, the tar sands pipeline reversal could threaten the Androscoggin River, Sebago Lake, and Casco Bay.
Friends of Maine’s Mountains (FMM) congratulates the Partnership for the Preservation of the Downeast Lakes Watershed (PPDLW) for its successful efforts to protect the Downeast Lakes region of Maine. We join PPDLW and countless Maine citizens, professional guides and sporting camp owners in celebrating this significant victory.
Augusta, Maine (March 27, 2012) – Near-record warmth in the winter of 2011-2012 left wildlife and outdoor enthusiasts and the businesses in winter-based sectors scrambling to adapt – and it’s [...]
“Every year, power plants dump more than two billion tons of dangerous carbon pollution and other pollutants into the air. The standard announced today will establish the first national limits on carbon pollution from new power plants and help protect people, kids, wildlife, and our environment from climate change and air pollution” said Lisa Pohlmann, executive director of the Natural Resources Council of Maine. “Maine’s senators and Congress people should support these rules and not put corporate polluters’ profits ahead of our health.”
A Northeast-based forest pest outreach group’s efforts to reduce the spread of invasive species received national recognition recently. The Forest Pest Outreach and Survey Project (FPOSP) targets accidental pathways which could spread invasive species, including the Asian longhorned beetle (ALB) and emerald ash borer (EAB), insects that have already destroyed millions of trees across the US. Maine has been a key partner in this effort from the beginning.
Musician and Music Venue Events for May, and Beyond – Keep Checking Back
Theater, Social and Public Events for May 2012 and Beyond – Updated Regularly!
REMINDER: “Always Patsy Cline” with Sally Struthers at Ogunquit Playhouse May 23rd to June 16th
Festival Franco Fun 2012 Celebration Scheduled for June 2nd
A Sure Bet is The Line-up at The Strand Theatre through May 2012
Electricity Maine to be Featured at June Meeting of Winthrop Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce on June 7, 2012
Maine Forest Service: Forest Ranger Discovers Bomber Crash Ejection Seat
10th Annual Meals on Wheels Golf Tournament to be Held June 11, 2012
Developing an Edge in Overseas Markets: Maine Businesses Talk Strategy May 24, 2012
Maine Historical Society Newsletter for the Week of May 21, 2012