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UK Gov’t Working on CfD Scheme Reforms to Accelerate Offshore Wind Buildout

February 24, 2025, by Adrijana Buljan The UK’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has launched a consultation on proposed reforms to the Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme for Allocation Round 7 (AR7). One of the proposed reforms is relaxing eligibility criteria for fixed-bottom offshore wind farms so projects that have yet to obtain full planning consent could participate in […]

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Protecting ‘The Yellowstone of the North Atlantic’ – Maine’s Cashes Ledge

Listen to the story HERE. By Kathryn Carley August 20, 2024    Conservation groups across New England are seeking permanent protections for the Cashes Ledge Area in the Gulf of Maine. Often called the ‘Yellowstone of the North Atlantic,’ it contains rare ecological structures, a treasure trove of marine life and one of the deepest cold water kelp forests along the […]

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New national PFAS drinking water standard good for ME

April 10, 2024 The Mills Administration released the following statements today in response to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) finalized national drinking water standard for PFAS. “PFAS contamination threatens the health of our people, our wildlife, and our environment. My Administration, working closely with the Legislature, has spearheaded one of the strongest efforts in the nation to address PFAS, including proactively establishing an aggressive, temporary drinking water standard,” said Governor Mills. “My Administration appreciates this new, national drinking water standard, which builds on our nation-leading work, as part of the critical effort to protect the health of Maine people. The Maine CDC will closely review the new standard and take steps to align Maine’s temporary standard with the new Federal one.” In […]

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ME Gov. Mills allows National Popular Vote Legislation to Become Law

April 15, 2024 Governor Janet Mills announced today that she will allow LD 1578, An Act to Adopt an Interstate Compact to Elect the President of the United States by National Popular Vote, to become law without her signature. Under the legislation, Maine joins the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, which would only take effect if the coalition secures pledges for at least 270 electoral votes – the threshold needed to elect a president. Sixteen states and Washington, D.C. have joined the compact for a total of 205 electoral votes thus far. With Maine, the total of electoral votes increases to 209 – 61 short of the compact taking effect. Governor Mills issued the following statement: “I have spent the past […]

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Stay home Jan 13, especially if you live on the ME coast

Jan 12, 2024 While the January 10th storm was historic and destroyed properties up and down the coast from the tidal surges expect the storm heading to Maine tomorrow to be worse. Maine Emergency Management warns people living in coastal communities to stay in place. “High tides, heavy surf and wind-swept waves could make the coast extremely dangerous. For their […]

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Grants for businesses to recover from Dec 18 storm

January 2, 2024 The Retail Association of Maine and the Maine Grocers and Food Producers Association have partnered to offer grants of up to $10,000. These associations are also encouraging businesses that were not affected to consider making a donation to the Maine Business Relief Fund, which will be matched by up to $250,000 from an anonymous private donor. “Maine’s […]

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Update on Maine Dec., 18 storm damage- road closures

The best source for information on road closures continues to be www.newengland511.org, which is continuously updated. 12/21/2023 AUGUSTA – The Maine Department of Transportation is continuing to assess and repair damage caused by Monday’s rain and wind. The situation is dynamic, but as of 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, there were 66 road closures and 25 bridge closures. More than half of those closures […]

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Three Open Grant Opportunities to Help Maine Communities to Address Effects of Climate Change 

Augusta, MAINE – The Mills Administration today announced the opening of three grant opportunities available to communities across Maine to address climate change effects through investments to improve energy efficiency, transition to clean energy, expand local and regional planning capacity, and protect infrastructure from damaging storms or rising sea levels.  These grants will be awarded to Maine cities, towns, and Tribal governments through […]

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MaineDOT Working to Assess and Repair Storm Damage

12/19/2023  AUGUSTA – In coordination with the Maine Emergency Management Agency and other public safety officials, the Maine Department of Transportation is working to assess and repair damage caused by yesterday’s rain and wind. As of early this afternoon, there are nearly 100 state road closures in Maine due to downed trees and power lines, flooding, and significant infrastructure damage. Although all Maine counties have been impacted by this storm, Oxford, Franklin, Somerset, and Kennebec Counties are currently experiencing more than half of the road closures. In particular, roads and bridges near the Sandy, Swift, Carrabassett, Kennebec, and Androscoggin Rivers (and their tributaries) are seeing high water levels resulting in damage and closures. MaineDOT has closed almost three dozen bridges statewide […]

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IRA funds from federal government for energy cost saving for Maine

December 2, 2023 The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Democrats in Congress and President Biden passed last year has made cost-saving benefits available right now, including: Starting on January 1, up to $7,500 in savings will be available right at point of sale when you buy a new electric vehicle and up to $4,000 for a used one. You’ll be able to get these credits at your car dealership, which means the discount will come right off the sticker price when you buy your EV. You can visit this site to see a full list of benefits and find out which are currently available to best help you and your household.