#Maine - New testing identifies elevated #benzene emissions near #SouthPortland tank farms

“You might have been able to do this in the past, but we’re not going to let you do this in the future.”

by Norah Hogan, 4/14/2026

Excerpt: "Long-term exposure to benzene has been linked to dizziness, headaches, blood disorders and cancer.

"Reiner, who has lived near three of the sites for years, was diagnosed with bladder cancer last Thanksgiving. He underwent surgery in December and is now receiving treatment.

" 'The big question is, was it this exposure? You can’t say. But this exposure may have contributed,' he said. 'The more toxins and environmental hazards you encounter in your life, it all adds up. It’s the cumulative effect.'

"Concerns about emissions have persisted for years. Previously, oil companies were allowed to self-monitor their emissions and were subject to stricter regulations only if they reported elevated toxin levels.

"In 2019, #GlobalCompanies LLC entered into a legal settlement that required the installation of new technology to reduce emissions. The company’s benzene levels are now well below state thresholds.

" 'They don’t want to be forced to do something that would be the right thing for everybody,' Reiner said. 'Everybody in America could benefit if oil companies started cleaning their emissions before they leave the tank farms and facilities.' "

Read more:
https://www.wmtw.com/article/elevated-benzene-near-south-portland-tank-farms/71016200

#MainePol #MaineNews #BenzeneEmissions #AirIsLife #BigOilAndGas #AirPollution #Carcinogenic

Community members buying in to new #FarmingtonME #FoodCoOp

by Jamie Azulay, April 14, 2026

"The Farmington Food Co-op is now open on Front Street. For $150, community members can purchase a lifetime membership and become a co-owner of the local market.

"That membership comes with monthly discounts and a say in how the business is run.

[...]

The co-op's board of directors is also focused on sourcing local products. Paige Hemond, bulk packager and manager, said, 'You put back into your local economy. You help the local farmers, and you help your neighbors, the people who work here, and all the producers.'

"The co-op is open to the public, but employees say the members will benefit the most. Skistimas explained, 'We track spending, so however much you spend, you get a percentage back at the end of the year.'

"That percentage will be determined by the members themselves when they look at the yearly revenue and vote on how that money should be spent. They already have around 250 members after opening on April 8.

"Cox said, 'I'm thrilled that the co-op’s coming in to do it. I've been members of co-ops in other places, and it works well.' The Neighboring Food Co-op Association reports that in the 2025 fiscal year, Maine's nine other food co-ops made $50.7 million in revenue.

" 'It's really about just keeping access alive and creating a strong, healthy community,' Skistimas said.

"If you are interested in getting involved, but you are not ready to buy in, the food co-op is hiring for customer service help. It is open seven days a week."

Source:
https://www.wmtw.com/article/community-members-buying-new-farmington-food-co-op/71018371

#SolarPunkSunday #BuildingCommunity #FoodSecurity #FoodCooperatives #BuyLocal #LocalFood #MaineNews

#PlugInSolar bill gets green light from #Maine Legislature

By Tina Fischer, April 6, 2026

"Mainers are one step closer to being able to utilize compact, plug‑in solar kits to reduce their household’s energy bill, with the Legislature’s passage last week of #LD1730.

"The units require no rooftop construction and can be installed almost anywhere: on the ground, balcony, deck, or on the side of a building.

"No approvals will be needed through the utility interconnection process required for larger rooftop systems, though the assistance of a licensed electrician is required.

"The legislation received bipartisan support in both the House and Senate and now moves to Gov. #JanetMills, who has final say on the measure.

"Plug-in solar has been widely adopted in Europe. The systems have been modified to meet U.S. electrical standards and can be plugged into an outdoor outlet to generate energy on-site.

"For the average Maine household, a 1,200-watt plug-in solar system could cut electricity bills by nearly 20% or $388 a year, according to the Office of the Public Advocate."

Source:
https://mainebiz.biz/article/plug-in-solar-bill-gets-green-light-from-maine-legislature/

#SolarPunkSunday #MaineNews #Renewables #Solar

#Maine will require battery makers to provide #recycling options

By Tina Fischer, April 9, 2026

"Gov. #JanetMills signed into law a measure that will offer more options to recycle both single-use #alkaline and #LithiumIon batteries in Maine.

"LD 474 updates the state’s current product stewardship laws to require national battery manufacturing companies to set up drop-off locations and fund a statewide take-back program so that all batteries can be safely disposed of and rare earth metals can be extracted for reuse.

"Eight other states have enacted similar laws.

"The state’s existing battery recovery program, enacted in 1991, covers only nickel-cadmium batteries. Many hardware stores, town offices and Staples stores in Maine accept some types of batteries for recycling. The nationwide Battery Network lists on its website drop-off locations in Maine.

"Improper disposal of lithium-ion batteries — commonly found in power tools, cell phone chargers and #vaping devices — has led to at least 24 fires at recycling facilities in Maine. Disposal concerns have driven up insurance rates for towns, according to the #MaineDEP.

"More than 820,000 pounds of batteries are thrown away in Maine every year, according to the Natural Resources Council of Maine [#NRCM].

" 'Holding corporate battery makers accountable for cleaning up waste will lower costs for Mainers and help curb demand for mining rare earth metals,' said Vanessa Berry, sustainable Maine program manager at the nonprofit.

"It is technically illegal in Maine to dispose of rechargeable, button cell, or lead-acid batteries in the regular trash."

Source:
https://mainebiz.biz/article/maine-will-require-battery-makers-to-provide-recycling-options/

#SolarPunkSunday #MaineNews #BatteryRecycling #LionBatteries #Recycle #VapePens #Batteries #CellPhones #RechargeableBatteries

I knew incidents like this would happen when they moved the shelter and services from downtown to way out of the way!

#Unhoused Man injured in #PortlandME hit-and-run

by Christopher Burns, December 29, 2025

"A man was injured in a Sunday evening hit-and-run crash in Portland.

"The 25-year-old was crossing #RiversideStreet in a marked crosswalk, near the #HomelessServiceCenter, where he was staying, about 6:48 p.m. when he was hit by a silver SUV, according to Brad Nadeau, a spokesperson for the Portland Police Department.

"The SUV’s driver stopped briefly before allegedly fleeing.

"Nadeau said Monday morning that the victim was taken to Maine Medical Center for treatment of injuries not considered life-threatening.

"The SUV is believed to be an older-model Honda CR-V.

"Anyone with information about the hit-and-run crash can call the Portland Police Department at 207-874-8575."

Source:
https://www.bangordailynews.com/2025/12/29/portland/portland-police-courts/portland-maine-riverside-street-hit-and-run-crash-investigation/

Archived version:
https://archive.ph/vljqE

@newsbot

#Maine #MaineNews #Homeless #HitAndRun

NOT ACCEPTABLE!!! Get the mayor and city councilors to staff it, then!

#PortlandME #WarmingShelter closed last night, tonight due to staffing issue

Maine's Total Coverage reached out to the city Sunday, but got no answer

Updated: 8:28 PM EST Dec 28, 2025

PORTLAND, Maine — "A warming shelter in Portland is closed for a second night Sunday after someone from the shelter said staffing shortages caused a closure last night.

"According to the 2025 winter warming plan, the city opens the warming shelter when the low temperature drops below 15 degrees, or there is more than 10 inches of snow accumulation. Last night, low temperatures in Portland dipped into the single digits.

" 'I know a few good people who are out there and they don't have anywhere to go because they lost their housing,' said Julie Geistert, a resident.

"The warming shelter on Riverside Street has a 60-person capacity and is often activated during the winter season. Maine's Total Coverage reached out to the city Sunday, but got no answer. When a call was placed to the shelter, a person told us a 'staffing issue' led to the closure last night. When we stopped by the shelter, we were told it would also be closed Sunday night, but were told to contact the director. We did not hear back.

" 'I think there's just too many people trying to get into those places, there's just such a problem right now, and so much of the problems they're facing are just freezing,' Geistert said."

Source:
https://www.wmtw.com/article/portland-warming-shelter-closed-last-night-tonight-due-to-staffing-issue/69875054

@newsbot

#Maine #MaineNews #Unhoused #Homeless #HomelessShelter #MainePol #HousingForAll #MaineMall #EmptyOfficeBuildings

Portland, Maine band Warclouds have joined our network! Find out more and read their statement on our website:

https://punksagainstapartheid.noblogs.org/post/2025/10/05/warclouds-joins-paa/

#PunksAgainstApartheid #MaineNews