Maine DEP - Press Releases

Medway chemical spill cleanup continues

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:12:56 EST

(AUGUSTA)� Maine Department of Environmental Protection hazardous materials emergency response staff remain on scene in Medway to clean up chemicals released in the Sunday night crash of a tractor-trailer truck off Interstate 95. The truck was transporting a variety of hazardous materials used in the paper making process including corrosives, flammables and industrial biocides. The chemicals ...

Invasive Plant Discovered in Damariscotta Lake

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 11:44:44 EDT

(AUGUSTA) State biologists with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection confirmed Wednesday that Hydrilla is present in Damariscotta Lake. Hydrilla (hydrilla verticilatta) is considered the most aggressive invasive aquatic plant in North America. The plant was first spotted in a 0.3-acre cove on the lake�s west shore by Dick Butterfield of Jefferson on September 21st. Butterfield i...

DEP's Repower Program Helps Maine's Fishing Industry

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 11:18:32 EDT

(STONINGTON) The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (MDEP) announces the implementation of stimulus money to help fishermen replace their boats� old diesel engines.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency awarded Maine with $1.73 million through the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) for clean energy projects under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. O...

State Takes First Step in Protecting Children from Toxic Chemicals
Identifies Dangerous Chemicals

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 10:51:20 EDT

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announce the publication of Maine�s List of Chemicals of High Concern. Publishing the list of about 1700 chemicals is the first step toward implementing Maine�s new Toxic Chemicals in Children�s Products law.

The law aims to make children�s products safer and less t...

DEP holds Public Meeting on Long Creek Restoration

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 10:29:30 EDT

Maine�s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is holding a public meeting regarding restoration and protection of Long Creek. The meeting is July 15th, from 1-4 p.m. at the South Portland Community Center, 21 Nelson Road, South Portland.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is utilizing it�s authority under the Clean Water Act to specify permits for stormwater discharges...

New Home Heating Oil Tank Regulations Protect Drinking Water

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 14:18:06 EDT

(AUGUSTA)� As of July 1, 2009 all new and replacement home heating oil tanks within the wellhead protection zone of community drinking water wells must be double-walled or have additional spill containment. The wellhead protection zone is the area around a well where it is most susceptible to contamination.

�Protecting this area helps to keep Maine�s drinking water safe,� says Dep...

Maine earns 2.7 Million from Greenhouse Gas Initiative
Money to be used to reduce energy costs

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 15:08:34 EDT

Today, state officials learned that Maine will receive more than $2.7 million from 4th RGGI Auction, part of a regional cap and trade program used to regulate greenhouse gases. In all, Maine has earned a total of more than $11.6 million since the first auction in September of 2008. The money will benefit consumers in Maine through investments in energy efficiency and programs that reduce ener...

Air Quality Alert for Ozone

Thu, 21 May 2009 13:15:24 EDT

(AUGUSTA)-- Ground-level ozone concentrations are expected to reach the unhealthy for sensitive groups level today for the Southwest Coast, Mid-Coast and Western Interior according to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently revised the national ozone standard from 84 parts per billion (ppb) to 75 ppb. At the sa...

Fertilizers and Lakes Don�t Mix

Fri, 15 May 2009 10:27:26 EDT

(AUGUSTA)� Maine�s new law is both effective and efficient at protecting clean water. The law passed last year, prompted by the problems phosphorus causes in lakes and streams, requires all retailers who sell lawn fertilizers to post a sign discouraging the use of phosphorus lawn products unless reseeding or starting a new lawn. The law has reduced the amount of phosphorus fertilizers used in...

States Release Results of Third Auction for RGGI CO2 Allowances

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 10:05:16 EDT

(AUGUSTA) � The states participating in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) today announced the results of the third auction for RGGI carbon dioxide (CO2) allowances. The March 18th auction was the first since compliance obligations under RGGI's first three-year control period began January 1, 2009.

RGGI was entered into in 2005 by Maine Governor John Baldacci and implemen...

Public invited to comment on proposed Plymouth superfund site plan

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 08:08:05 EDT

(AUGUSTA)� The Hows Corner Group has provided the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) with an offer to settle the State�s asserted claim for Natural Resource Damages (NRD) stemming from the Hows Corner Superfund Site in Plymouth, Maine. This site was formerly operated by George West Jr., doing business as Portland-Bangor Waste Oil. Resulting groundwater contamination led to con...

DEP Commissioner to testify on US EPA�s Reconsideration of the Request for Waiver of Federal Preemption for California State Motor Vehicle Pollution Control Standards

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 09:41:53 EST

Hearing begins at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, March 5th Room S-1204 EPA Potomac Yard Conference Center 2777 Crystal Drive, Arlington Virginia

(AUGUSTA)�Maine Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner David Littell will speak on behalf of the Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management (NESCAUM) in support of California�s 2005 request for a waiver of fede...

Snow + Ice = Heating Oil Spills

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 16:04:29 EST

(AUGUSTA)� The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is cautioning home owners to check the condition of their outside heating oil tanks following a number of spills statewide. Faced with an 80% chance of another batch of mixed precipitation Monday night, the DEP is encouraging home owners to carefully clear the snow away from their outdoor tanks this weekend. Falling ice from roof...