Maine Climate News, October 15

Maine Sues Paper Mills for PFAS Remediation Costs

The Greater Augusta Utility District is suing four Maine paper mills for costs paid by the city to clean up PFAS pollution in drinking water. PFAS are known to cause long-term health issues including cancers, organ damage, and hormone disruptions.

When the water was tested, PFAS levels were 23.3 parts per million, 3.3 parts per million over the state’s limit.

Around $2 million was spent to clean up the contamination. The Utility states that they do not want taxpayers to pay for remediation costs, arguing that the responsibility falls on the polluters.

Source: Portland Press Herald

Court Dismisses Maine Lobstermen’s Defamation Case

On Friday, a lawsuit filed by Maine lobstermen against the Monterey Bay Aquarium was dismissed. In the aquarium’s guide to sustainable seafood, a resource to help consumers make responsible food choices, they urged consumers to avoid American lobster due to its harmful impacts on the endangered Atlantic Right Whale.

In response, Maine lobstermen sued the aquarium, claiming that there is no evidence of lobstering gear harming right whales. They also claimed that the listing hurt their business.

Source: Maine Morning Star

Thousands of Fish Killed at Brookfield Dam in Brunswick

Over the weekend, thousands of alewives were found dead in Brunswick after swimming through a turbine at the Brookfield dam in the Androscoggin River. Dams are highly criticized and opposed by conservationists for blocking fish passages and hindering safe migration.

Brookfield stated that they had conducted their routine nighttime shut down to allow for safe fish passage. However, one turbine ended up turning on for four hours on Saturday night. Brookfield has yet to provide an explanation why.

Source: WGME