FREEPORT — Maine middle and high school students are invited to produce short videos promoting their visions for the future of Maine’s environment. The audiences for the videos will be state public and private leaders. The statewide environmental challenge to students, “Paradise Found: The Search for Maine’s Environmental Visionaries,” is being coordinated by Meridian Stories, […]
environment
Solar advocates rally as Maine PUC contemplates policy changes
HALLOWELL — Despite the gray overcast of a mid-December day, a coalition of advocates, who say state regulators need to do more to embrace and promote solar energy rallied outside the Maine Public Utilities Commission on Wednesday. “Maine needs solar jobs,” the group of about 50 people chanted at one point during their rally. Moments […]
Wind power proponents tout study showing positive impacts for Maine
AUGUSTA — Proponents of Maine’s wind-power industry Tuesday touted a new study showing positive impacts on health and the environment from the industry’s growth in the state. Meanwhile, a bill before the Legislature aims to “dismantle” the state’s wind energy sector, according to those who testified against the bill, also on Tuesday. “This study confirms […]
DEP monitors minor Durham oil spill
DURHAM — State environmental officials on Monday were monitoring a small diesel fuel spill that occurred at a Durham wood processor Sunday morning. Scott Cyr, oil and hazardous material responder for the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, said the spill was reported to DEP just after midnight Sunday. A tanker from Diesel Direct was filling […]
Lewiston city staff braces for tough audit of storm sewer system
LEWISTON — The city staff is bracing for a tough audit in April that will judge how well they’ve done keeping storm runoff and city sewer overflows out of the city’s streams and the Androscoggin River. Public Works Director David Jones warned councilors Tuesday that the Maine Department of Environmental Protection and the Federal Environmental […]
K. Hotopp: Bigger wildlife problem
I have a really great opinion about the bear hunting referendum. As a biologist, hunter and environmentalist, my position on bear hunting is smart and well-informed. But people don’t need to know my two-cents-worth about bear hunting, because there is a way bigger wildlife problem that folks should focus on. Maine is at risk of […]
Auburn man chases the sun
David Rand’s day revolves around the sun. The warm rays heat his water, tell him the time and help his flowers grow. Rand, who resides in Lewiston, can tell where and when the sun will rise and set and how much daylight is gained or lost from month to month. The 85-year-old retired civil engineer […]
Are you a manager or a leader?
If you’re going to be successful as an owner of a small business, particularly one with employees, you have to perform both roles well. Management expert Peter Drucker writes, “Management is doing things right, leadership is doing the right things.” SCORE-Central Maine mentor Maurice Dube observes, “If you have already demonstrated leadership qualities by taking the […]
Freeport considers impact of a plastic bag ban
FREEPORT — A town committee wants more information before its starts considering an ordinance that would ban plastic shopping bags. Members agreed, however, that there are three possible scenarios to consider: a plastic bag ban, a bag tax like the one recently approved in Portland, or no action. The ordinance committee had its first meeting Tuesday to […]
South Portland to vote on crude oil ban
SOUTH PORTLAND (AP) — The South Portland City Council is considering an ordinance that prohibits loading crude oil in bulk onto marine tank vessels. The vote was scheduled for Monday night. The proposal is narrower in scope than one voters rejected last year. That ordinance was designed to prevent Portland Pipe Line Corp. from bringing […]