The Department of the Interior also moved to speed up permitting for a range of energy sources, primarily fossil fuels.
environment
Maine announces record $8M in state climate resilience grants
More than 150 communities across the state are included in the latest round of state climate resilience grants announced by Gov. Janet Mills in Kennebunkport, which was heavily damaged by back-to-back storms in January 2024.
Trump administration cut key FEMA grant. What does that mean for Maine projects?
Eighteen resilience projects around the state had their Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities applications terminated with the cancellation of the program and are now seeking alternate funding.
Farmers angry over federal funding cuts rally at Maine State House
They showed up, on their tractors, to protest millions in cuts to federal grants, canceled support for school lunches and the termination of 20% of USDA workers who support Maine’s farmers.
Lawmakers consider $10M bailout for Fairfield water crisis
A bill would expand the public water system to Fairfield residents whose private wells have been contaminated by toxic forever chemicals from the state’s former agricultural sludge-spreading program.
More than $100M sought to help Maine prepare for winter storms, climate change
A $34.5 million bill would fund home resiliency grants statewide, and a $75 million bond would invest in coastal resilience projects.
Athletes, environmentalists debate proposed statewide ban on artificial turf fields in Maine
The potential 3-year ban would allow for a state study of the environmental and health effects of synthetic turf fields.
White sharks make frequent visits to Maine’s coastal waters, new data reveals
But most white sharks tracked during a new study only hung out for about 15 minutes at Maine’s most popular sandy beaches before moving on, and the number of shark visits is still low compared to hotspots like Cape Cod.
Seasonal allergies getting worse? Blame climate change.
As temperatures rise, plants produce more pollen over a longer period of time. But locally collected pollen counts are on the way to help Mainers with seasonal allergies navigate the worst of the sneeze season.
Maine moving forward with budworm control, but funding delay will limit spray area
After the Legislature failed to pass $2 million in emergency funding, spraying this spring will cover only about 85% of the area threatened by the forest pest.