They are striving to protect the state’s remaining brown ash trees, and hope to harvest enough healthy trees in the meantime to supply future tribal artisans.
Penelope Overton
Staff Writer
Penny Overton is excited to be the Portland Press Heraldโs first climate reporter. Since joining the paper in 2016, she has written about Maineโs 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 Globeโs 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 familyโs next adventure.
Without fast EV adoption, Maine must get creative to meet emissions goals
A state-hired consultant said the Maine Climate Council will have to turn to green hydrogen and ask its industrial sector to use more renewable energy if it can’t meet its already lowered electric vehicle adoption targets by 2030.
Lobsters in the shallows are emerging from their caves
Those living in the shallow waters of the Gulf of Maine are trading the rocky crevices they have always favored for a life spent out in the open foraging for food on the ocean’s muddy bottom or open ledge, according to a new UMaine study.
Climate change delays, disrupts Maine’s fall foliage season
Warming temperatures are pushing back peak conditions by more than a week since the 1950s. But several factors shape the timing and brilliance of autumnal color.
Director of Brunswick airport authority resigns in wake of toxic foam spill
Kristine Logan steps down about a month after one of the nation’s biggest spills of toxic firefighting foam has left the Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority struggling to pay for a costly cleanup and regain the public trust.
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.
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.’
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.
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.
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.