Maine Towns and Cities Vote to Pass Data Center Moratoriums
Data center moratorium initiatives were on the ballot in several Maine towns and cities this election season.
North Berwick was the only town with a measure to ban data centers completely, and it passed with 78% of voters in support. Seven other towns including Wells, Eliot, Peru, Wiscasset, Sabattus, Freedom and Brownfield passed temporary data center moratoriums, also with overwhelming support.
Source: The Maine Monitor
Maine Fines Solar Company for Environmental Violations
Maine regulators have given Bristol solar development a $94,000 fine for erosion control and water pollution violations. Regulators claim the company’s erosion control efforts failed in 2022, when runoff polluted wetlands, which the company claims they resolved.
This is the most recent example of Maine regulators fining solar companies. Just a few weeks ago, Fryeburg solar was also fined for sediment runoff. Last year, another solar company was fined over $200,000 for the same violation.
In total, there has been $660,000 in violations.
Source: Maine Public
Loon Populations Struggling, But Not in Maine
New studies show that loon populations are declining in Canada and other northern areas, while showing steady growth in Maine. In fact, Maine has had a stable loon population for the past 35 years.
Lead-based fishing lures are partly to blame for this overall population decrease, as well as greater levels of runoff and water pollution. This impacts water visibility and impedes loons’ ability to hunt fish in the water.
This year in Maine, Maine Audubon estimated the loon population to be around 2,800 adults and 276 chicks.
Source: Maine Public
