Blog Posts: Environmental and Energy Law Update

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The Environmental and Energy Law Update blog provides an analysis and discussion of the most critical and timely legal issues and announcements environmental, natural resource, and energy sectors.

Maine Voters Reject “Pine Tree Power” Proposal

Last Tuesday, by a margin of 70% to 30%, Maine voters rejected Question 3, the highest profile issue on the Maine ballot this year. Question 3 was placed on the ballot earlier this year, and under the terms of a fifteen page bill behind the question, it proposed the...
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Verrill Partner Jim Cohen Speaks to Groups Across Maine About Pine Tree Power

For nearly two years, Verrill partner Jim Cohen , who has been practicing energy and utilities law for more than three decades, has been traveling throughout the State of Maine to speak with numerous groups about Pine Tree Power, which is Question 3 on Maine’s statewide ballot this November...
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PFAS Regulatory Update: Dates You Need to Know

Public Comment on the Federal Proposed Drinking Water Standards for Six PFAS Compounds On March 29, 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”), published in the Federal Register its proposed national drinking water standards for six PFAS compounds. Official publication of the proposed regulation comes on the heels of...
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Carolyn Gilbert Nominated to Maine PUC

On March 28, Governor Janet Mills nominated Carolyn “Carrie” Gilbert to serve a six-year term on the Maine Public Utilities Commission. For the past 15 years, Gilbert has worked at Daymark Energy Advisors where she provides consulting services on renewable energy and economics, policy design, and competitive energy procurement...
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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Proposes National Drinking Water Standard for Six PFAS Compounds

On March 14, 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) announced a proposed National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) for six per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (“PFAS”). PFAS are a category of manufactured chemicals that have been widely used in a variety of industries and consumer products since the 1940s...
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Crisis emerges in Maine over safe disposal of biosolids from wastewater treatment plants

Maine wastewater treatment plants are currently facing intense challenges concerning disposal of their sewage sludge , also called “biosolids.” This is a fast-moving issue getting significant coverage in the media and substantial attention from state officials and legislators. The crisis recently emerged into the public eye when the state-owned...
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Maine PUC Asked to Fix “Leapfrogging” Problem Triggered by 2022 Changes to Maine’s Generator Interconnection Rule

The Maine Public Utilities Commission is currently considering whether to commence a formal emergency rulemaking process to amend Chapter 324 of its rules governing generator interconnections. The purpose of the rulemaking would be to correct a growing problem whereby smaller “Level 2” interconnection projects are able to “leapfrog” larger...
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Maine PUC to Kick Off Review of Grid Plan to Assist Clean Energy Transition

Last month, the Maine Public Utilities Commission initiated a proceeding to identify the priorities to be addressed in an electric grid plan that will assist Maine in the “cost-effective transition to a clean, affordable, and reliable electric grid.” A link to the order can be found here . This...
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Verrill Partner Mat Todaro selected to serve on the American Bar Association’s Section on Environment, Energy, and Resources 2022 Fall Conference Planning Committee

Earlier this year, Verrill Partner Mat Todaro was selected by American Bar Association leadership to serve on the 2022 Fall Conference Planning Committee for its Section on Environment, Energy, and Resources. In this role, Mat led the development of a high-profile national panel discussing the latest regulatory and litigation...
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Verrill Alum Bill Harwood Sworn in as Public Advocate for State of Maine

On January 26, 2022, Maine Governor Janet Mills swore in Bill Harwood as Public Advocate for the State of Maine. Bill was unanimously confirmed by the Maine State Senate and the Legislature’s Joint Standing Committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology. Prior to becoming Public Advocate, Bill Harwood worked as...
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Verrill Alumni Bill Harwood Nominated as Public Advocate for the State of Maine

On December 15, 2021, Maine Governor Janet Mills announced the nomination of former Verrill attorney Bill Harwood as Public Advocate for the State of Maine. Harwood has a four decades-long career in energy and utilities law, and he currently serves as Senior Advisor for Regulatory Affairs within the Governor’s...
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Maine PUC Releases Report on Evolution of Electrical Grid to Meet Climate Goals

On December 1, 2021, the Maine PUC released a Report on the first phase of its investigation into necessary design and operational changes to the electrical distribution grid to facilitate the State’s clean energy goals. In February of 2020, the PUC initiated this investigation in response to recent legislation...
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Environmental Protection Agency’s PFAS Roadmap

Last week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) announced its PFAS Strategic Roadmap. PFAS are a class of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances that have been used in a wide variety of industries since the 1940s and are still in use today. PFAS have been detected in surface water, groundwater...
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Geoff Why to Moderate "The Future is Now: 5G Wireless Networks"

On October 26, Verrill telecommunications attorney Geoffrey Why will be moderating the virtual event, “The Future is Now: 5G Wireless Networks,” hosted by The Maine State Chamber of Commerce. The Wireless Summit will explore how wireless technology will be integral to providing high speed broadband access in rural, suburban...
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New Maine Law Regarding Decommissioning for Solar Projects

Solar Panels
Maine’s new solar decommissioning law takes effect October 18 and applies to projects that have not commenced construction by October 1, 2021. The law requires solar projects that occupy an area of three or more acres to have a DEP (or LUPC if LUPC is the permitting entity) approved...
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Jim Cohen Appointed to Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority

On April 22, the Maine State Senate unanimously confirmed the nomination of Jim Cohen to the board of the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority (NNEPRA). NNEPRA oversees the day-to-day operations of the Amtrak Downeaster and works to improve transportation, safety, and the economy of Maine. Prior to joining...
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Jim Cohen Interviews Maine Governor Janet Mills on “Eggs & Issues”

After two years as host of “Eggs & Issues,” the monthly business breakfast of the Portland Community Chamber of Commerce, Jim Cohen concluded his twentieth appearance with an hour-long interview of Maine Governor Janet T. Mills. During the virtual interview, Governor Mills touched on topics ranging from broadband connectivity...
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Maine Legislature Adopts Major Revision to Its Net Energy Billing Program

On July 1, 2021, LD 936, An Act To Amend State Laws Relating to Net Energy Billing and the Procurement of Distributed Generation became law after Maine Governor Janet Mills allowed the legislatively enacted bill to go into effect without her signature. Because the bill was not adopted on...
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Verrill's Jim Cohen To Speak on Past and Future of Maine’s Electric Grid at 2023 Winter Bar Conference

Verrill partner Jim Cohen will be presenting at the Maine State Bar Association’s Winter Bar Conference 2023, on Friday, January 27, in Portland. Cohen’s presentation, The Past and Future of Maine’s Electric Grid...

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Carolyn Gilbert Nominated to Maine PUC

On March 28, Governor Janet Mills nominated Carolyn “Carrie” Gilbert to serve a six-year term on the Maine Public Utilities Commission. For the past 15 years, Gilbert has worked at Daymark Energy Advisors where...

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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Proposes National Drinking Water Standard for Six PFAS Compounds

On March 14, 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) announced a proposed National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) for six per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (“PFAS”). PFAS are a category of manufactured chemicals that...

Blog

Maine PUC to Kick Off Review of Grid Plan to Assist Clean Energy Transition

Last month, the Maine Public Utilities Commission initiated a proceeding to identify the priorities to be addressed in an electric grid plan that will assist Maine in the “cost-effective transition to a clean, affordable...

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Georgetown Broadband LLC Secures Utility Pole Attachment Authorization for Community Broadband Project

On February 17, 2023, Georgetown Broadband LLC (GBLLC) became the latest community broadband entity to receive pole attachment authorization from the Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to deploy a fiber broadband network. GBLLC began...

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Verrill Partner Jim Cohen Speaks to Groups Across Maine About Pine Tree Power

For nearly two years, Verrill partner Jim Cohen , who has been practicing energy and utilities law for more than three decades, has been traveling throughout the State of Maine to speak with numerous...

Blog

PFAS Regulatory Update: Dates You Need to Know

Public Comment on the Federal Proposed Drinking Water Standards for Six PFAS Compounds On March 29, 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”), published in the Federal Register its proposed national drinking water standards...

Blog

Maine Voters Reject “Pine Tree Power” Proposal

Last Tuesday, by a margin of 70% to 30%, Maine voters rejected Question 3, the highest profile issue on the Maine ballot this year. Question 3 was placed on the ballot earlier this year...

Blog

Maine PUC Asked to Fix “Leapfrogging” Problem Triggered by 2022 Changes to Maine’s Generator Interconnection Rule

The Maine Public Utilities Commission is currently considering whether to commence a formal emergency rulemaking process to amend Chapter 324 of its rules governing generator interconnections. The purpose of the rulemaking would be to...

Blog

Crisis emerges in Maine over safe disposal of biosolids from wastewater treatment plants

Maine wastewater treatment plants are currently facing intense challenges concerning disposal of their sewage sludge , also called “biosolids.” This is a fast-moving issue getting significant coverage in the media and substantial attention from...

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