Working Waterfront

Powering work boats with electric engines

The last time I drove Island Institute’s boat, a 25-footer with an outboard motor, I used about 16 gallons of gas per hour. That’s the standard measure of a boat’s fuel consumption, and being out on the water for much of the day, it added up to 74 gallons—enough gas… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

A threat to NOAA’s funding for states

The White House recently released its 2027 budget proposal, a document that clearly signals the president’s priorities, though it could face substantial changes as it makes its way through appropriations subcommittees in Congress this spring and summer. While the latest proposal would bolster some maritime programs, it would, unfortunately, eliminate… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

A path to electrifying Maine’s working waterfronts

Maine's coast is beautiful, with mountains to mudflats, pine trees to pebbles. It is more than a scenic backdrop; it is an economic hub for the marine economy. The working waterfronts of Maine are home to one of the most productive lobster fisheries in the world, a growing aquaculture industry,… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Maine’s housing crossroads

Maine entered the 2025 legislative session with housing at the top of its policy agenda. For years, Mainers have grappled with unaffordable rents, scarce housing availability for working families, and regulatory barriers that help keep supply low—all of which has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, growing numbers of seasonal homes, and development challenges. This past year, the… SEE MORE

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