Lawmakers found themselves in an unusual position this year – having to decide what to do with a projected surplus of $1.2 billion.
environment
Farmington picks up over 800 pounds trash on Earth Day
Over 100 people gathered in front of The Pierce House to pick up garbage around downtown Farmington for the town’s 9th Annual Earth Day Cleanup.
NOAA delays enforcement of new lobster gear rules aimed at protecting right whales
The regulations designed to protect the endangered species still will take effect May 1, but the federal government will put off enforcement in light of supply chain issues affecting lobstermen.
Conservation group joins call to save Maine salmon rivers, including along the Kennebec River
The Kennebec, Penobscot and Union rivers were ranked fourth most endangered bodies of water in American Rivers’ annual report.
Weatherization, heat pumps, EVs: State pushes energy cost solutions, but can you do them this year?
The most popular and cost-effective options for reducing household energy use are limited by high demand, labor shortages and supply chain issues.
Are the whales leaving? Gulf of Maine research raises questions about new lobstering rules
The endangered North Atlantic right whale’s preferred food source is moving north, out of Maine waters. Lobstermen say the change warrants a second look at new fishing restrictions set to take effect May 1.
McDonald’s linked to deforestation of Amazon, report says
In its report, Reporter Brasil reviewed several cases in which beef from illegally cleared ranches was shuffled between farms to hide its true origin, then shipped to slaughterhouses owned by companies that supply McDonald’s.
2021 was the Gulf of Maine’s warmest year on record, scientists report
Average sea surface temperatures were 4.2 degrees above the long-term averages from before 2012, when ocean ‘heat waves’ became commonplace, continuing changes in the gulf ecosystem.
Douglas Tallamy would like you to help build a Homegrown National Park
Use your backyard to plant species that will help slow Earth’s Sixth Mass Extinction.
New research raises concerns about PFAS chemicals in Maine fish
Maine is considering stricter standards that could trigger consumption advisories for PFAS in some of the state’s freshwater fish, while scientists continue to gather data on potential health impacts of the chemicals in shellfish.