Climate change

A settlement that followed decades of oil discharge from Chevron terminals in Hampden, first discovered in 2006, is aimed at environmental restoration in Penobscot and Hancock counties along the Penobscot River watershed.

Funding comes from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Climate Program Office, which announced $48.7 million in competitive awards to 79 new projects.

Unum, Hannaford, Sugarloaf and Jackson Lab have been stepping up carbon emission reduction strategies. Emissions produced by their suppliers are also increasingly on the docket.

Nestle Waters North America is pursuing certification that ensures its water is meeting certain standards both inside and outside of its bottling plants in Poland, Kingfield and Hollis. It also plans to add a 10kw solar array at its Hollis site.

Mitigation is cheaper than adaptation, says Charles Colgan, adding, “There’s not enough money to adapt our country and our infrastructure and our society to the level of threat that we face from climate change.”

A 300-page draft report suggests ways to transform energy use in Portland and South Portland, alter how buildings and neighborhoods are developed and more. But the plan has to be approved by the city councils before policies start to change.

It isn't clear what kind of projects would be affected by the ban, if enacted. Proponents have cited two recently approved plans for multifamily housing complexes in the city, and nearly 80 projects are in the planning pipeline.

Gardiner, Phippsburg, Waldoboro and the Southern Maine Planning and Development Commission will share $151,976 for projects that will help coastal towns and cities prepare for the effects of climate change.

The council, formed last year, is looking for ways for the state to mitigate and adapt to climate change in an equitable way that will also help boost the state's economy.