Policy
Maine Policy News
Slew of new bills revives debate over popular property tax relief program for older Mainers
Municipalities say the new program, which became law last year, is difficult to implement and too expensive for the state to sustain, prompting a debate over how best to keep older Mainers in their homes.…
MAINE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION SETS DATES FOR PUBLIC WITNESS HEARINGS IN CENTRAL MAINE POWER DISTRIBUTION RATE CASE
CMP filed a three-year rate plan structure, citing grid reliability improvements, clean energy investments, improved storm response, and enhanced electricity usage monitoring and management tools as the drivers of a proposed increase.…
Couple who want to mine lithium deposit urge Maine lawmakers to ‘clarify’ mining laws
The couple that owns a lithium deposit in Newry potentially worth more than a billion dollars is urging the Legislature to act quickly to “clarify” state mining laws so they can mine the find as soon as possible.…
Maine Schools Could Lose Fed Funding Over Assessment Changes
The federal DOE is threatening to withhold money from Maine’s Dept. of Education (MDE) due to the state’s failure meeting student testing and data reporting requirements for reading, language arts, and mathematics.…
Legislature may ban foreign influence in Maine referendums
Supporters of a ballot initiative barring foreign governments from influencing Maine referendums are pushing the Legislature to enact the measure instead of sending it to voters in November.…
Maine prepares for end of pandemic-era Medicaid eligibility safety net
At the end of this month, a federal requirement that prevented people enrolled in Medicaid during the pandemic from losing coverage will expire.…
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.…