March 21, 2021 By Ramona du Houx Next May, the Solon Center for Research and Publishing will announce its first literary/art journal: INSIGHTS. Stories from authors published and unpublished will debut in the journal. Working with the Solon Center, Maine Insights will also publish some of the stories. Original art will accompany the stories. The Solon Center for Research and Publishing is a non-profit 501(c)3. Most literary journals don’t have much art. The Solon Center for Research and Publishing believes combining the two is the best way to make each medium come to life, which enhances the viewers/readers experience. The Solon Center will host contests, working with Gallery Fukurou, of Rockland, Maine and the Maine publisher Polar Bear & Company. Both entities are projects of the […]

March 18, 2021 Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that ASP2 Rural LLC has been awarded a loan of $7,739,000 to develop three solar energy facilities across the state.  This financing was awarded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Electric Infrastructure Loan and Loan Guarantee Program.  “Investing in renewable energy is key to effectively reducing pollution and protecting our environment,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement.  “We welcome this significant investment from USDA to assist with the development of solar energy facilities in Caribou, Skowhegan, and Fairfield, which will provide clean, affordable energy in the communities.” The loan will be used to support a 964.6 kilowatt project by Caribou Solar in Caribou, a […]

MARCH 18, 2021 • STATEMENTS AND RELEASES Today, National Climate Advisor Gina McCarthy convened the second National Climate Task Force to discuss the Biden-Harris Administration’s whole-of-government approach to tackling the climate crisis, creating good-paying, union jobs, and prioritizing environmental justice. During the virtual meeting, Cabinet leaders and senior Administration officials discussed their respective plans to integrate addressing climate change throughout their agencies to put the United States in a position of strength to lead the world in a clean energy revolution that creates American jobs with the chance to join a union and builds back an inclusive, equitable economy. Participants, including the Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry, also looked ahead to the Earth Day Leaders Summit on April 22 and […]

MARCH 18, 2021 Critical Materials are Vital to Producing Electric Vehicle Batteries, Wind Turbines, and Other Clean Energy Technologies WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced up to $30 million to support scientific research that will ensure American businesses can reliably tap into a domestic supply of critical elements and minerals, such as lithium, cobalt and nickel, needed to produce clean energy technologies. Currently, the U.S. is grappling with chronic shortages in the domestic supply of these critical materials, forcing the country to rely on imported materials. “America is in a race against economic competitors like China to own the EV market—and the supply chains for critical materials like lithium and cobalt will determine whether we win or lose,” […]

Augusta, MAINE – Governor Janet Mills announced on March 19,2021 that Maine is accelerating the timeline of its vaccination plan to make more people eligible for COVID-19 vaccines earlier.   Beginning Tuesday, March 23, 2021, Maine residents age 50 and older will be eligible for the vaccination. Beginning Monday, April 19, 2021, all Maine residents age 16 and older will eligible for vaccination. The accelerated timeline comes as some Maine vaccine providers are reporting availability of appointments and as Maine anticipates an increase in vaccine supply from the Federal government.    “Maine has been working around the clock to get as many people vaccinated as quickly as possible. As we continue to make progress, and with more appointments becoming available and an increase in supply expected in the coming weeks, we believe it is appropriate to accelerate our timeline and make more people eligible earlier,” said Governor Janet Mills. […]

By Ramona du Houx AUGUSTA – During a public hearing on March 17, 2021 survivors of childhood sexual abuse spoke in favor of a bill sponsored by Rep. Lori Gramlich that would help victims access justice. “As a kid, I knew I couldn’t change what happened to me, but I also knew that, when I was a grown-up, I would do my best to make things better for others. As a social worker, I have worked my entire professional life to bring systemic change and to give voice to fellow survivors,” said Rep. Gramlich. Rep. Gramlich’s bill would ensure judges and justices receive training in regards to both criminal and civil actions based on child sexual abuse. She also seeks to extend […]

Augusta, MAINE – Governor Janet Mills announced today that the State of Maine will move the deadline for Maine individual income tax payments from April 15, 2021 to May 17, 2021. The change aligns with the Federal government’s extension of the Federal tax filing and payment deadline that was announced yesterday.  “Aligning Maine’s tax filing and payment deadlines with the Federal government will maintain consistency for Maine people and provide them with valuable added time to handle their taxes,” said Governor Janet Mills. “If Maine people have questions about or need assistance with their returns, I encourage them to contact Maine Revenue Services.” Maine individual taxpayers, including individuals who pay self-employment tax, do not need to file any forms or call to qualify for this deadline extension to May […]

Also signs into law package of bills supporting Maine restaurants, bars, and distilleries By Ramona du Houx March 18, 2021 Augusta, MAINE – Governor Janet Mills signed the Fiscal Year 2020-2021 supplemental budget into law on March 18, 2021. The bipartisan supplemental, which passed the Senate unanimously and the House by a vote of 139-1, provides State income tax relief to all Maine businesses that received Paycheck Protection Program funds and exempts unemployment benefits from State income taxes for approximately 160,000 Mainers. “This supplemental budget is the result of a long and, at times, arduous debate. But ultimately it was sensible compromise on all sides that got it across the finish line,” said Governor Janet Mills. “Because of that, approximately 160,000 Maine […]

March 18, 2021 Justice Michaela Murphy ruled on March 17, 2021 that the Maine Bureau of Public Lands didn’t have the authority to lease a 1-mile section to the New England Clean Energy Connect without first determining whether the lease would substantially alter the land. The rest of the corridor is owned by Central Maine Power. Murphy’s ruling triggers a review of the state’s lease of a small section of land that’s part of a proposed 145-mile power line aimed at bringing Canadian hydropower to Massachusetts. A formal assessment of the project’s impact on the land, as required by the Maine Constitution now must take place. A finding of significant alterations would trigger a legislative review and a two-thirds majority […]

March 17, 2021 Groups will continue to engage their millions of members and supporters to pass this historic act (Washington, DC) —Thanks to Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senators Amy Klobuchar and Jeff Merkley’s leadership, the For the People Act (S1) is being formally introduced in the Senate today. This bill is arguably the most consequential people-empowering legislation since the Civil Rights Act of 1965. Many groups in the environmental community actively supported the passing of this act in the U.S. House of Representatives. These groups remain engaged in ensuring the Senate swiftly passes this historic legislation.   In support of this historic act, this community of environmental groups issued the following statement:   “On behalf of our millions of members and […]

Effort proposes upgrading CTE infrastructure to help Maine’s workforce March 17, 2021 By Ramona du Houx On March 17, 2021 the Speaker of the House Ryan Fecteau of Biddeford introduced legislation to invest in Maine’s Career and Technical Education Center infrastructure.  LD 144, “An Act To Fund Capital Improvements to Career and Technical Education Centers and Regions To Bolster Maine’s Future Workforce” had a public hearing before the Legislature’s Education and Cultural Affairs Committee in the afternoon. Maine’s public education system has 28 CTE schools that provide Maine students with training for careers in welding, nursing, computer programming, heating and cooling systems, building trades, early childhood education, automotive technology, and culinary arts.  America lacks behind in training for particle high-paying skills. The need for […]