Maine met its goal to install 100,000 heat pumps two years ahead of schedule. So Gov. Janet Mills is raising the bar, hoping that general state and federal incentives will help Maine lower heating bills and meet its climate goals.
Penelope Overton
Staff Writer
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.
Posted inBusiness, Maine
Environmentalists petition state to adopt stronger clean vehicle standards
The proposed regulations would require vehicle manufacturers to increase sales of new electric vehicles in Maine.
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Posted inMaine, Politics
Gov. Mills signs law expanding abortion access in Maine
The new law, signed during a ceremony at the State House Wednesday, allows abortions later in pregnancy and is one of the least restrictive state laws in the nation.
Posted inBusiness, Maine, News
Fluorescent lightbulbs, which contain mercury, are on their way out in Maine
Starting in 2026, sales of new fluorescent bulbs will be banned – though many stores already have removed the ones that used to be in wide household use. The replacements are LEDs, which are more efficient and don’t contain mercury.
Posted inMaine, News, Politics
State adopts $70 million plan to help farmers deal with PFAS contamination
The fund will dedicate $30.3 million in grants to get farmers back on their feet, $21.5 million in compensation for contaminated land, $7.3 million for medical needs and $11.2 million for scientific research.
Posted inMaine, News, Politics
Maine Legislature finally wraps up session, sends abortion bill to governor
Lawmakers voted out the last of the pending bills late Thursday, including a hard-fought bill to expand abortion access that Gov. Janet Mills is all but certain to sign into law soon.
Posted inMaine, News, Politics
Maine lawmakers fail to override governor’s veto of tribal bill
The House voted 84-57 in favor of overriding Gov. Janet Mills’ veto, which falls 10 votes short of the two-thirds support needed and sustains the veto.
Posted inMaine, Uncategorized
Legislature returns to tackle veto of tribal rights bill
Lawmakers also will consider an $800 million supplemental budget, but the leadership of both parties in the House were focusing their efforts Wednesday on urging tribal bill supporters to stand by their votes in the hopes of overriding Gov. Janet Mills’ veto.
Posted inMaine, News, Politics
Inside Maine lawmakers’ late-night scramble to pass expanded abortion access
Divisions nearly thwarted Democrats’ efforts to pass the landmark legislation.
Posted inMaine, Politics
Maine Senate nixes MaineCare coverage for noncitizens
Senators rejected the bill with no debate or roll call vote, despite approval in the House of Representatives on Monday.