Category Archives: Environment

Maine company says underwater turbine is a success | Bangor Daily News

Maine company says underwater turbine is a success – Bangor Daily News.

Crops early, plentiful: ‘It’s excellent for farmers’ | Lewiston Sun Journal

Crops early, plentiful: ‘It’s excellent for farmers’ | Lewiston Sun Journal

Sierra Club: Maine has 3 “Cool Schools” | The Kennebec Journal, Augusta, ME

Sierra Club: Maine has 3 “Cool Schools” | The Kennebec Journal, Augusta, ME.

Camp!/Swim!/Hike! | DownEast.com

When Maine’s state park system was created by the legislature in 1935, it consisted of a single area of land. Since then, it has grown to more than forty diverse properties, from ocean and lake beaches to picnic areas and campgrounds to trail-laced mountains and lush forests. To celebrate the state parks’ seventy-fifth anniversary and to guide you to the place that suits your mood, here’s a play list — play as in walk, boat, swim, and splash. These suggestions are somewhat whimsical. Most parks are, after all, destinations for many different kinds of activities, not just the ones highlighted here. Find out more about an individual park’s natural features and facilities at the Maine Department of Conservation’s Bureau of Parks and Lands Web site, www.maine.gov/doc/parks, or call the bureau at 207-287-3821 and ask for a brochure.

Click for the rest of this piece by Virginia Wright in Down East Magazine.

Loggers descend on Maine to take on tests of skill | Bangor Daily News

Loggers descend on Maine to take on tests of skill – Bangor Daily News.

Panel gets clear message: Rid Maine of nuclear waste | The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram

 Panel gets clear message: Rid Maine of nuclear waste | The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram.

A look at Maine’s Wind Power Act | Bangor Daily News

Here are links to a three-part series by the Maine Center For Public Interest Reporting published in the Bangor Daily News looking at wind energy in Maine and the laws surrounding it.

Part 1: How a task force put wind power on the fast track, and how some are now questioning the goals they themselves helped set.

Part 2: Examining the changes in rules recommended by the task force and the resulting law.

Part 3: Wind power law hasn’t prevented development conflicts

Maine loses a ‘visionary’ on energy alternatives | The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram

Maine loses a ‘visionary’ on energy alternatives | The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram.

Matinicus man lobsters by hand — ‘zero-carbon lobster harvesting’ | Bangor Daily News

 Matinicus man lobsters by hand — “zero-carbon lobster harvesting” – Bangor Daily News.

Task force had mandate to promote wind power, not study it | Bangor Daily News

[It appears The Bangor Daily News just posted the second of three parts on the Wind Energy Act of 2008. Below is a link. – KM]

Task force had mandate to promote wind power, not study it | Bangor Daily News

Some who created wind-power fast track now questioning the goals they set | Bangor Daily News

[Below is a link to the first in a three-part series by The Bangor Daily News in association with the Maine Center For Public Interest Reporting about wind power in Maine. The first part raised some very interesting issues about transparency in passing the law to deal with wind farm development. The first part also pointed out several other flaws in the Wind Energy Act of 2008. I support the idea of alternative, sustainable energy, so I really hope they figure out how to do what’s best for everyone. I’ll attempt to share each part of the series. – KM]

Some who created wind-power fast track now questioning the goals they set | Bangor Daily News

Tomorrow: Examining the changes in rules recommended by the task force and the resulting law.

State’s push for offshore wind energy intensifies | Lewiston Sun Journal

State’s push for offshore wind energy intensifies | Lewiston Sun Journal

Butte College to become first grid-positive college in the U.S. | SustainableBusiness.com News

 [I attended the California State University, Chico, which is in Butte County where Butte College is located. It is impressive that Butte College – which was a pretty small community college when I went to Chico State – is a national leader in sustainability. Very impressive. – KM]

Butte College to become first grid-positive college in the U.S. | SustainableBusiness.com News

Website: www.butte.edu

Talk about your dream jobs – island caretaker

OK, there is something mystically adventurous and appealing about living on an island. You don’t have to worry about traffic, noisy neighbors, or getting too lost.

On the other hand, there’s only so much you can see on island, entertainment options are pretty limited, and help can be a long way away should anything go wrong.

Still, this ad on MaineJobs.com caught my eye. I kind of wish I met the job requirements.

“Summer community of approx 50 families in Casco Bay, Portland, ME, seeks year-round caretaker who is a self starter with strong people skills and can juggle multiple demands. Preference given to candidates with strong mechanical and trade skills, and waterfront capabilities. Compensation includes salary, aid to partner, benefits, housing, utilities, and a mooring. Owner of a sturdy boat is preferred.”

I can pass along the address if anyone is interested.

Tree-top flyers at Zipperloaf | Lewiston Sun Journal

Tree-top flyers at Zipperloaf | Lewiston Sun Journal

And that’s for shore: Dedicated volunteers have had ample reason for keeping Kennebunk Beach looking pristine for the past 100 years | The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram

 AND THAT’S FOR SHORE | The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram.

Scientists search for invasive marine species | Bangor Daily News

Scientists search for invasive marine species – Bangor Daily News.

Hamm, Garciaparra are among this year’s guest stars at Seeds of Peace Camp | Portland Press Herald

OTISFIELD — Cool sunglasses masking his eyes, microphone in hand, Wil Smith worked his audience, priming them with introductions of the visitors. By the time Smith reached Mia Hamm, his campers at Seeds of Peace were beyond delight.

Teenage boys and girls, mostly from the Middle East, were heading to a new level of excitement. Waiting for his wife after his own noisy welcome, Nomar Garciaparra didn’t try to hide his smile.

So this is why his agent kept inviting him to this former boys camp on the pine-lined shore of Pleasant Lake. Actually, Arn Tellem’s reason was only beginning to reveal itself.

“You know the lives they’ll go back to, but you look in their faces and see the joy,” Garciaparra said Thursday morning. “They’re giving me much more than I can give them.”

This is Seeds of Peace, the oasis away from the world’s centuries-old battle for hearts and minds and land in the Middle East. Children from other places where fear and danger are constant companions also arrive here each summer.

It’s a universal mission: Dialogue can affect peace better than terror. Plant that seed.

Click for the rest of Steve Solloway’s story in the Portland Press Herald.

NOAA: ‘Unmistakable’ evidence shows world getting warmer

Limestone man charged with releasing exotic fish into Maine pond | Bangor Daily News

Limestone man charged with releasing exotic fish into Maine pond | Bangor Daily News