Portland seeks broker to jump-start business park

The sound of vehicles on the Maine Turnpike has yet to be supplanted by the hum of industry at the Portland Technology Park off Rand Road.Yet as the city seeks bids from real estate companies to broker sales for three vacant lots at the site, Economic Development Director Greg Mitchell said the purpose of the park remains unchanged.
“I still believe the original vision should be maintained,” Mitchell said April 20. “We are going to test the waters and see who would be interested and how they might approach marketing differently.
”Bids are scheduled to be opened May 3. City records show five companies have asked for information, including the Dunham Group, which markets the lots now.

Source: The Forecaster

By downeastlaw, ago

Fairfield solar project gets DEP approval 

The company building multiple massive solar arrays throughout the state has received environmental approval for its project in Fairfield.

NextEra Energy Resources received approval April 11 from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection to move forward with the Fairfield project and is awaiting approval for a similar project in Clinton, two towns just outside of Waterville. The permit, under the Site Location of Development law, requires review of developments that may have a substantial effect upon the environment.

Source: CentralMaine.com

By downeastlaw, ago

Judge says LePage exceeded authority by emptying prison

A judge has ordered the LePage administration to continue operating the now-empty Downeast Correctional Facility, handing at least a partial victory to Washington County officials upset with the prison’s sudden closure.

In a 12-page ruling, Superior Court Justice Michaela Murphy agreed with the county, union officials and Attorney General Janet Mills that LePage overstepped his constitutional authority when he emptied the Machiasport prison in a secret, pre-dawn operation on Feb. 9. Murphy ordered the Maine Department of Corrections “to operate DCF” in accordance with state law “until the Legislature acts to repeal (the law) or ceases to fund DCF.”

Source:Portland Press Herald

By downeastlaw, ago

Isle au Haut plans to build its own energy grid  

Isle au Haut residents plan to install a sophisticated microgrid this spring that could eventually end their reliance on expensive power and heating fuel from the mainland.As on many of the other 14 Maine islands inhabited year-round, Isle au Haut residents pay at least double the amount a Portland or Bangor resident would for their electricity, kerosene and oil. Compounding matters, an aging undersea electric cable between Stonington and the island could fail any day, according to Jim Wilson, president of Isle au Haut Electric Power Co.

Source:  BDN Maine

By downeastlaw, ago

Rumford board approves permit for large-scale water extraction 

RUMFORD — The Board of Selectmen voted 4-0 Thursday evening to approve an application for a permit for large-scale water extraction.The Rumford Water District will be allowed to draw up to 650,000 gallons per day, instead of up to 588,700 gallons per day, from two district wells.“The project will be owned and operated by the Rumford Water District, and it will be sold to Poland Spring (Water Co.) under a contract signed last August, district Superintendent Brian Gagnon said.

Source: Lewiston Sun Journal

By downeastlaw, ago

Maine’s Lobster Harvest Drops In 2017, Rattling The Industry

Maine’s lobster harvest dropped more than 15 percent last year, according to data just released by the state Department of Marine Resources. But even if the haul was down, it’s still the sixth highest on record.Lobstermen knew from early in 2017 that the catch would probably fall off from the previous year, when they brought in a record 131 million pounds of the valuable crustacean.”My July was pretty much nonexistent,” says Curt Brown, who fishes lobster out of Portland, and works as a biologist for Ready Seafood, one of the state’s largest lobster dealers. “And it was just a waiting game – slowly trickling out, and so the rest of the year… I mean the rest of the year was decent.  It certainly wasn’t a banner year.”

Source: Maine Public

By downeastlaw, ago

Belfast salmon farm not a done deal

A proposed $150 million salmon farm to be built by Nordic Aquafarms in Belfast will only happen if there is enough fresh water and the Norwegian developer behind the project can get the appropriate federal, state and local permits, company representatives said this week. Against the backdrop of that caveat, representatives held a public information meeting at the University of Maine Hutchinson Center to share plans for the facility and field questions from residents and community members, who were happy to

Source: Republican Journal

By downeastlaw, ago

Portland properties may be added to waterfront TIF

Waterfront development plans and the accompanying infrastructure could benefit if two properties are added to a tax increment financing district.On March 5, the City Council is expected to vote on adding the future WEX headquarters at Thames and Hancock streets, and three properties on Union Wharf, 230 Commercial St., to the Waterfront TIF district. The order had a first reading at the Feb. 21 council meeting.

“The added TIF districts would produce an estimated $495,000 annually, over and above the current estimated annual TIF proceeds at $540,000,” according to a Feb. 7 memo by City Economic Development Director Greg Mitchell.Mitchell said Feb. 21 the additions to the TIF zone, created in 2002, do not include credit enhancement agreements that would return any tax revenues to developers.

TIFs allow a municipality to set aside increases in tax revenues for specific uses. Funds captured in the TIF can be used for projects that include pier and wharf improvements, street work and dredging.

Source: The Forecaster

By downeastlaw, ago

Beech trees overtaking Maine forests, worrying loggers and scientists 

Beech trees are dominating the woodlands of the northeastern United States as the climate changes, and that could be bad news for the forests and people who work in them, according to a group of scientists. The scientists say the move toward beech-heavy forests is associated with higher temperatures and precipitation. They say their 30-year study, published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Applied Ecology, is one of the first to look at such broad changes over a long time period in the northeastern U.S. and

Source: BDN Maine

By downeastlaw, ago