#JuniperRidge Landfill can expand, state says again after judge orders reconsideration

by Marie Weidmayer, March 23, 2026

Excerpt: "The Juniper Ridge Landfill can expand, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection decided for a second time — but a judge must sign off first.

"A new public benefit determination allows the #OldTown landfill to expand, the #ConservationLawFoundation said Monday. The foundation and #PenobscotNation sued the #MaineDEP in November 2024 over the proposed expansion.

"The department had to reconsider allowing the expansion after a judge ruled in January that the Maine DEP did not complete 'critical' fact finding during the public benefit determination. The Maine DEP decided Oct. 2, 2024, there is a public benefit to the expansion and expanding the landfill is not inconsistent with #EnvironmentalJustice.

"Penobscot County Superior Court Judge Bruce Mallonee will reconsider the application because the case is still pending, Maine DEP spokesperson David Madore said. The department can resume processing the expansion application and will have a public hearing, he said.

" 'This decision does not reflect the lived reality of our people,' Penobscot Nation Chief #KirkFrancis said. “Our voices and our knowledge of this place must be meaningfully considered when those in power make decisions that will impact our land and community.'

"The lawsuit is still pending in Penobscot County Superior Court. The foundation and Penobscot Nation are determining next steps."

Read more:
https://www.bangordailynews.com/2026/03/23/penobscot/penobscot-police-courts/landfill-expansion-juniper-ridge/

Archived version:
https://archive.ph/8dI8S

#MainePol #CasellaWasteSystems #WaterIsLife #SoilIsLife #PFAS #MaineFirstNations #Pollution #ForeverChemicals

RE: https://climatejustice.global/@degrowthmalmo/116137429077221525

Tuesday's screening had an example of grass roots struggle for economic democracy from Italy:

A profitable factory creating bar shafts for Maseratis is shut down by investors, organized workers campaign to socialize and retool the plant. Rather than luxury goods they aim to create photovoltaics and cargo bikes.There is large popular support, but local power brokers are thwarting the model. Economic democracy is anathema to capitalism. Europe seeks to reindustralize by re-armament, the ex-GKN workers propose a different model.

Now the ex-GKN collective are running a fundraising and awareness campaign. Read more about the initiative here:

https://notesfrombelow.org/article/ex-gkn-florence-the-factory-collective-relaunches

https://insorgiamo.org/crowdfunding-2025/

#degrowth #CollettivoFabbricaGKN #Labour #environmentalJustice

Excellent news from #NYC:
Winning on health, energy, and climate with modern cooking technology.

#CleanCooking #ClimateChange #EnvironmentalJustice

https://insideclimatenews.org/news/16032026/new-york-city-induction-stoves-energy-efficiency/