State and municipal leaders are calling for changes after learning that Executive Director Kristine Logan failed to disclose a 2023 inspection report showing deficiencies in the fire suppression system that malfunctioned Aug. 19, spewing 50,000 gallons of toxic foam.
Penelope Overton
Staff Writer
Penny is excited to be the Portland Press Herald’s first climate reporter. Since joining the paper in 2016, she has written about Maine’s lobster and cannabis industries, covered state politics and spent a fellowship year exploring the impact of climate change on the lobster fishery with the Boston Globe’s Spotlight team. Before moving to Maine, she covered politics, environment, casino gambling and tribal issues in Florida, Connecticut and Arizona. Her favorite assignments allow her to introduce readers to unusual people, cultures, or subjects. When off the clock, Penny is usually getting lost in a new book at a local coffeehouse, watching foreign crime shows or planning her family’s next adventure.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Inspectors warned of ‘tremendous’ potential for accidental foam discharge at Brunswick airport
But repairs weren’t made to the site’s aging system, which went on to malfunction and discharge 51,000 gallons of toxic chemical foam in August.
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Posted inElection 2024, Local & State, Outdoors, Politics
Outdoors groups push for passage of Maine’s first trail bond
The $30 million bond, which goes to voters in November, would pay for engineers, heavy equipment and laborers needed to build trails that will withstand climate change and make Maine a world-class outdoor recreation leader, advocates say.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Activists push for more aggressive action as Maine pitches climate strategy to public
Some environmental groups say the first draft of Maine’s next climate action plan doesn’t go far enough, especially when it comes to curbing transportation emissions.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
Maine cracks down on multiple businesses for contaminating the environment
A Windham car wash is facing thousands of dollars in fines for dumping contaminated wastewater, and the state is considering consent agreements with other businesses, including a garage that caused an oil spill that closed Willard Beach for 4 days.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Scientists express concern about scale of foam spill, the latest in a long, dirty history at former base
The high concentration and range of toxic forever chemicals in last week’s spill raises health and environmental concerns, and is putting pressure on the state to expand testing and protect public health.
Posted inLocal & State
First tests reveal high PFAS levels in spilled foam, ponds at Brunswick Landing
Test results and cleanup and remediation updates will be shared with the public at a meeting Thursday night.
Posted inHealth, Local & State, News
Brunswick Landing is Maine’s biggest firefighting foam spill in 30 years
Maine has tried before to find out how much of this toxic substance is out there, or if it’s safely stored, but efforts have been largely ignored. Officials say they need lawmakers’ approval before they can make changes.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Man killed in Berwick crash
The man was ejected from the vehicle on Portland Street near the intersection with Old Route 4, according to Berwick police.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Arrowsic man killed in crash
The vehicle went off the right side of the road into a ditch and struck a tree, police said.