Penny Overton is excited to be the Portland Press Herald’s first climate reporter. Since joining the paper in 2016, she has written about Maine’s lobster and cannabis industries, covered state politics and spent a fellowship year exploring the impact of climate change on the lobster fishery with the Boston Globe’s Spotlight team. Before moving to Maine, she has covered politics, environment, casino gambling and tribal issues in Florida, Connecticut, and Arizona. Her favorite assignments allow her to introduce readers to unusual people, cultures, or subjects. When off the clock, Penny is usually getting lost in a new book at a local coffeehouse, watching foreign crime shows or planning her family’s next adventure.
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PublishedOctober 2, 2024
Maine DEP says expansion of state’s largest landfill would benefit public
The decision allows the state to apply to add 61 acres to the state-owned Juniper Ridge Landfill, which takes in 52% of the state’s waste.
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PublishedOctober 2, 2024
EPA: Navy has ‘ultimate responsibility’ to address Brunswick chemical spill
The head of the federal agency’s Superfund program told the Navy in a Sept. 26 letter that it must ‘take any and all actions necessary to address the recent spill of AFFF at Hangar 4 and to ensure protection of human health and the environment.’
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PublishedSeptember 26, 2024
Vulnerable Mainers weigh in on state’s climate action plan
The Maine Climate Council on Wednesday heard the results of an equity study that asked low-income residents, older and rural Mainers, veterans and others about the state’s goals.
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PublishedSeptember 24, 2024
Foam spill flushes wave of toxic chemicals into troubled Androscoggin River
‘We will be dealing with the fallout of this for generations to come,’ says Ed Friedman, chairman of Friends of Merrymeeting Bay.
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PublishedSeptember 18, 2024
Toxic foam risks persist at other ‘deficient’ Brunswick airport hangars
Inspection reports from 14 months ago show unaddressed deficiencies in 2 sprinkler systems that still use aqueous film-forming foam that contains forever chemicals.
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PublishedSeptember 16, 2024
Maine congressional delegation presses Navy for help with Brunswick chemical spill
The Navy still owns the airport hangar where 51,000 gallons of toxic firefighting foam was discharged after an overhead fire suppression system with a deficient service record malfunctioned.
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PublishedSeptember 13, 2024
Former Maine CDC director Shah: State must prepare for health impacts of climate-driven flooding
Nirav Shah, now the deputy director of the U.S. CDC, praised Maine for addressing extreme heat and tick-borne illnesses. Those who survive floods report more stress, anxiety and depression, health groups say.
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PublishedSeptember 12, 2024
Inspection revelations prompt calls for Brunswick Landing chief to step down
State and municipal leaders are calling for changes after learning that Executive Director Kristine Logan failed to disclose a 2023 inspection report showing deficiencies in the fire suppression system that malfunctioned Aug. 19, spewing 50,000 gallons of toxic foam.
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PublishedSeptember 12, 2024
Inspectors warned of ‘tremendous’ potential for accidental foam discharge at Brunswick airport
But repairs weren’t made to the site’s aging system, which went on to malfunction and discharge 51,000 gallons of toxic chemical foam in August.
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PublishedSeptember 11, 2024
Outdoors groups push for passage of Maine’s first trail bond
The $30 million bond, which goes to voters in November, would pay for engineers, heavy equipment and laborers needed to build trails that will withstand climate change and make Maine a world-class outdoor recreation leader, advocates say.
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