What has the Inflation Reduction Act done for Maine’s climate so far?

Maine environment

Published
August 16, 2023

What has the Inflation Reduction Act done for Maine’s climate so far?

The biggest benefits provided to Mainers by the landmark law so far are the federal electric vehicle and heat pump tax credits that became available in January.
Published
August 13, 2023

Maine’s salt marshes play key role in fight against climate change, new report says

The state has at least 84 square miles of blue carbon reservoirs, which store at least 1.7 million tons of carbon in the soil and vegetation. That much carbon is equal to the annual emissions of 1.25 million passenger cars.
Published
July 21, 2023

Maine pledges to install 175,000 more heat pumps by 2027

Maine met its goal to install 100,000 heat pumps two years ahead of schedule. So Gov. Janet Mills is raising the bar, hoping that general state and federal incentives will help Maine lower heating bills and meet its climate goals.
Published
July 14, 2023

Fluorescent lightbulbs, which contain mercury, are on their way out in Maine

Starting in 2026, sales of new fluorescent bulbs will be banned – though many stores already have removed the ones that used to be in wide household use. The replacements are LEDs, which are more efficient and don't contain mercury.
Published
July 12, 2023

State adopts $70 million plan to help farmers deal with PFAS contamination

The fund will dedicate $30.3 million in grants to get farmers back on their feet, $21.5 million in compensation for contaminated land, $7.3 million for medical needs and $11.2 million for scientific research.

Published
May 15, 2023

Cost of helping farmers manage PFAS is rising, now at $81 million

A five-year plan to help farmers includes $37 million for direct financial support, $25 million to buy contaminated farms, $11 million for agricultural research, and $7 million on medical testing and monitoring.
Published
May 8, 2023

Lawmakers clash over bill to delay out-of-state trash ban

Supporters say Maine needs the trash to solve its sludge disposal crisis, but critics say the state-owned landfill should be reserved for in-state waste and accused the operator of prioritizing profits over solving the problem.
Published
April 26, 2023

Businesses ask lawmakers to relax state PFAS ban

They say the new law is well-intentioned but too broad, too aggressive and too costly for them to follow. Environmental groups are calling on state legislators to defend the PFAS law as it stands.
Published
April 24, 2023

Bill would have state environmental officials give priority to marginalized communities when deciding policy

But environmental advocates say the measure needs to go further, and business groups fear it could slow down project permitting.
Published
March 23, 2023

Commentary: Managing municipal biosolids is a complex issue that requires collaboration

A 24- to 36-month pause in the enactment of a new law barring out-of-state waste from Maine landfills is crucial to averting a deeper crisis.