Maine DEP update

Maine Department of Environmental Protection has reversed itself and will schedule a public hearing on proposed changes to the state's clean air standards. No date has been set.

Environmental groups, legislators, and the general public were outraged when the Portland Press Herald reported yesterday that the state agency had tried to sneak through the changes with no public input. The agency has already been criticized for its lack of transparency, and there have been calls for an investigation into possible ethics violations on the part of its commissioner, a former industry lobbyist.

At Maine’s DEP, it’s the fox guarding the henhouse

What happens when you put an industry lobbyist in charge of environmental protection? Just take a look at what’s going on in Maine. According to an article in today’s Portland Press-Herald, the state’s Department of Environmental Protection wants to weaken the state’s clean-air regulations, and they don’t want anyone to know about it.

No public hearings have been scheduled, and a notice of a public comment period was buried in an obscure part of the agency’s website.

At first glance it might seem surprising that an agency charged with protecting the environment would actually work against it. It only makes sense when you see the cast of characters involved.

First, there’s Gov. Paul LePage, perhaps not the brightest bulb on the tree. Elected in 2010, he immediately released a list of environmental regulations he wanted to eliminate or weaken. Much like former Pres. G.W. Bush, he wanted to turn back the environmental clock back a decade or more. LePage also supported opening up 10 million acres of Maine wilderness for development.

To help him in his quest, he appointed Deborah Aho, an industry lobbyist, as his DEP commissioner. She had previously represented chemical, drug, oil, and automobile companies. Apparently she continued working on their behalf as commissioner, failing to enforce existing regulations and making decisions that would  benefit her former clients.

So much so, that a petition was sent to the legislature calling for an investigation into her apparently unethical activities. A bill was filed to look into the allegations, but within days the legislator who had filed it, withdrew it, saying it needed revisions. It hasn’t been refiled since.

Northern Pass Rears Its Ugly Head (Again)

Despite massive public opposition, significantly over-budget, and three years behind schedule,  the CEO of the Northern Pass Project vows the controversial high voltage transmission line will be built.

The project is a 180-mile power line that would bring power from Canada to New England. It first came to the attention of environmentalists and others when the proposed route was unveiled. The developers wanted to cut a 100-foot wide swath through the White Mountain National Forest, with steel pylons towering above the surrounding forest.

Soon, it wasn’t just a few environmental and conservation interests that opposed it. They were joined by residents and business interests who were concerned about the impact the project would have on the region’s tourist industry. They rallied to buy up land and conservation easements along the route.

And while it was originally described as bringing power to New Hampshire, it turned out that New Hampshire doesn’t need it. The developers were planning to sell it on the New England power grid – but they don’t want it either. ISO-New England, which manages the New England power grid opposes the project.

Yet another route was unveiled two weeks ago. It moves the route a few miles to the east, still through pristine wilderness areas. None of the opponents have changed their mind. The project is a joint venture by Northeast Utilities, Hydro-Quebec, and PSNH. All three are privately held corporations – not public utilities.

“We are ready to move forward,” said CEO Gary Long when the plan was unveiled.

The project won’t be starting anytime soon, though Long predicted it would be operational by 2017. There’s still a host of impact statements and permit – including a Presidential permit – that will be required.