Working Waterfront

Ocean acidification threatens blue economy

In a state renowned for its lobster and shellfish, Mainers understand the importance of a healthy ocean. But you don’t have to spend your mornings on a fishing boat hauling in the day’s catch or even live near the coast to be affected by our changing and warming seas. Ocean… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Untangling Acadia’s ‘bad air’ days

What happens when Acadia has a "bad air” day? The prevailing winds responsible for giving Downeast Maine its nickname have led some to grant the state a less than flattering moniker: “The tailpipe of the United States.” Like exhaust flowing through a tailpipe, clouds of emissions from industrial areas or… SEE MORE

A photo from about 1900 shows what was once Winnegance Tide Mills, near where a bridge today carries Route 209 over Winnegance Creek. PHOTO: MAINE MARITIME MUSEUM

Working Waterfront

Tidal power is not new to Maine

Prior to advances in transportation and energy production, industry and commerce across civilizations often relied on proximity to water. In the case of the lumber industry, one of Maine’s largest industries to date, the reliance was three-fold: inland timber harvests floated down-river to mills via log drives, saw mills used… SEE MORE

Working Waterfront

Kim Hamilton named Island Institute president

The Island Institute, publisher of The Working Waterfront, named Kim Hamilton as its president, effective April 1. Hamilton has served as the organization’s interim chief programs officer since September, overseeing the Institute’s climate, economic resilience, and leadership programs and serving on its senior leadership team. The Rockland-based nonprofit’s board of… SEE MORE

A summer afternoon on Swan's Island. FILE PHOTO: TOM GROENING

Working Waterfront

Institute implements resiliency program

The Island Institute, publisher of The Working Waterfront, will be working with Gouldsboro, Swan’s Island, and the Cranberry Isles to oversee implementation of the state’s Community Resilience Partnership (CRP). The CRP, a program of the Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future, is designed for communities considering energy transitions… SEE MORE

A photovoltaic panel in a yard on Islesboro. FILE PHOTO: TOM GROENING

Working Waterfront

Maine’s climate goals spur changes to grid

Until now, CMP and Versant have been able to plan expansion and investment strategies to realize purely corporate interests without any meaningful input from customers... SEE MORE

A rock cliff and sandy shore on the east side of Sears Island. FILE PHOTO: TOM GROENING

Working Waterfront

Offshore wind blows across Searsport

Have you heard there’s another plan to develop Sears Island in Searsport? The state is considering using 100 acres or so on the western shore as a site where enormous floating wind turbines will be built and then deployed to the Gulf of Maine as part of Maine’s renewable energy… SEE MORE