Policy
Maine Policy News
There’s a push to protect Maine’s abundant groundwater as more places deal with scarcity
Officials insist that water is plentiful, but some residents argue Maine has fallen behind in its oversight and should take a more active role in protecting it going forward.…
Harvard researcher details Wabanaki tribes’ economic disadvantages in presentation to lawmakers
A Harvard researcher told state lawmakers that Wabanaki communities trail far behind other tribes economically because of the 1980 agreement limiting tribal self-government.…
New bill could divest state pension fund from companies boycotting Maine lobster
Sen. Eric Brakey, R-Androscoggin, said his bill is modeled on a 2021 law that called on Maine to divest state pension funds from fossil fuel companies…
Volunteer Program Provides Opportunity to Contribute to Restoration of Rainbow Smelt
Rainbow smelt are important prey for seals, birds, Atlantic cod, and salmon, and a prized species for recreational and commercial fishermen, but they have been in decline since the 1980s……
The political minefield of Janet Mills’ accelerated clean-energy goal
Among the newsmaking items in the Democratic governor’s budget address this month was a proposal to require all of Maine’s electricity to come from renewables by 2040……
Maine’s offshore wind plan will take years to execute
Maine is ahead of most coastal states in its plans for offshore wind, but the floating technology it is developing still needs to be tested and likely won’t be a major factor in the energy mix until 2030 or later…
Mills Administration Releases Comprehensive Plan to Responsibly Advance Offshore Wind in Maine
The Maine Offshore Wind Roadmap outlines strategies for Maine to benefit from offshore wind, while preserving Gulf of Maine communities, fisheries, and wildlife.…
Pingree Reintroduces Bipartisan, Bicameral Bill to Expand and Strengthen Local Meat Processing Capabilities
The Strengthening Local Processing Act will increase options for local livestock and poultry producers and help increase resiliency and diversification of the meat processing system…
Maine proposes new standard license plate to replace chickadee
The design, based on the 1901 Maine flag, would replace……
DEP is seeking grant submissions for waste diversion projects
…is seeking grant applications to assist in the creation, implementation, or enhancement of initiatives, programs, or projects that aim to divert more solid waste from being disposed of.…
Attorney General Aaron Frey Joins Multistate Coalition in Support of EPA Supplemental Proposal to Regulate Methane Emissions from the Oil and Natural Gas Sector
Attorney General Aaron Frey today joined a multistate coalition, led by California and New York, in submitting comments supporting the EPA’s supplemental proposal strengthening regulation of emissions from new….…
Maine Specialty Crop Grant Program Applications Now Open
The SCBGP is a competitive grant program that funds innovative projects supporting Maine’s expanding specialty crop sector and explore new market opportunities. Specialty crops include fruits, vegetables, nursery, floriculture, culinary herbs, maple, Christmas trees, and honey.…
Republicans take aim at Whole Foods’ tax incentives after chain pulls Maine lobster off shelves
A state lawmaker urged his colleagues to cut off Whole Foods from a state tax incentive program on Tuesday in response to the national retailer’s decision last fall to stop selling Maine lobster.…
An Auburn manufacturer has won a major victory in its fight against Chinese competitors following a federal determination that will crack down on unfair trading practices by Chinese state-backed manufacturers.
Following an investigation requested by Auburn Manufacturing, Inc., the US Commerce Dept issued a Feb. 3 report that said Chinese businesses were circumventing anti-dumping and countervailing duty orders.…
Secretary Bellows Announces Final Wording on Two Referendum Questions
The wording of the citizens’ initiative question entitled “An Act To Create the Pine Tree Power Company, a Nonprofit, Customer-owned Utility” will be:…
Tools and Tips for Helping To Knock Out More Browntail Moths
Winter is the best time to spot, clip and destroy the caterpillars lying dormant in their winter webs. Web removal prevents more caterpillars from emerging, thus reducing the risk of toxic hairs……
Mills Administration Announces the Next Land For Maine’s Future Program Call for Proposals
The requests are for projects of statewide significance, community conservation, and working forests and build on……
New Mainehousing Report Looks At The State Of Housing In Maine
The MaineHousing Outlook Report 2023 includes several key metrics and analysis from 2022 used to forecast which factors will help and or hurt affordable housing development in 2023.…
The Employment Situation in Maine – December 2022
Nonfarm wage and salary jobs decreased by 2,300 to 644,600, following a large upward revision to the November estimate. The number of jobs in December was the second highest on……
Signatures submitted for Maine ‘right to repair’ referendum
The proposed referendum targets automobile diagnostic data that’s transmitted wirelessly to vehicle manufacturers — information that independent shops cannot access.…