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BOEM Finalizes Gulf of Maine Wind Energy Area – North American Windpower

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BOEM Finalizes Gulf of Maine Wind Energy Area – North American Windpower


The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has finalized its designation of a 2 million acre offshore Gulf of Maine Wind Energy Area (WEA), which the bureau says has a 32 GW capacity. 

BOEM will publish a notice in the Federal Register tomorrow (Mar. 18) announcing its intent to prepare an environmental assessment of potential impacts from offshore wind leasing activities in the WEA which will initiate a 30-day public comment period. Another public comment period would occur if BOEM decides to move forward with a lease sale in the WEA.

Based on the feedback received about natural and cultural resources and current ocean uses, the WEA represents an 80% reduction from the area the bureau initially identified for possible leasing and a 43% reduction from the Draft WEA.  

“BOEM is committed to maintaining strong collaboration with the states of Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire as we advance our efforts in the Gulf of Maine,” says Elizabeth Klein, BOEM director. “We remain dedicated to engaging with Tribal governments, federal and state agencies, ocean stakeholders, coastal communities, and all interested parties as we progress through our environmental review.”

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BOEM will seek to avoid or minimize remaining ocean use and resource conflicts in subsequent phases of the leasing process and says it will continue to consult with all Tribal Nations, the fishing industry and other stakeholders who have an interest in the region.  

In October, BOEM held a public comment period on the Draft WEA and three secondary areas for further analysis. After reviewing feedback from stakeholders and the public, the bureau worked with NCCOS on a refined model to further reduce the size of, and conflicts within, the Draft WEA before identifying a Final WEA.  



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Lawmakers advance bill to provide death benefits after two DOT workers killed on the job

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Lawmakers advance bill to provide death benefits after two DOT workers killed on the job


After a fatal car crash in Waterville killed two Maine Department of Transportation employees in January, state lawmakers are backing a bill to expand death benefits to the families of DOT workers killed on the job.  The Labor Committee unanimously voted Tuesday to advance LD 669, which will make DOT employees eligible for the same […]



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Maine man accused of lighting bed on fire after fight with girlfriend

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Maine man accused of lighting bed on fire after fight with girlfriend


WISCASSET, Maine (WMTW) – A Maine man has been arrested after police say he intentionally set a bed on fire after a dispute with his girlfriend, while they were still in it.

Police responded Monday, March 9, to a report of a fire that had been intentionally set inside a home on Beechnut Hill Road, according to the Wiscasset Police Department.

Investigators say the homeowner, Terry Couture, 41, set the bed on fire following an argument while both he and his girlfriend were in it. Authorities said the fire was extinguished and no serious injuries were reported.

Couture was arrested and charged with attempted murder, arson, aggravated criminal mischief, and domestic violence criminal threatening with a dangerous weapon.

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The investigation is ongoing.



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Celebrate Maine Maple Weekend at Williams Family Farm

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Celebrate Maine Maple Weekend at Williams Family Farm


CLIFTON, Maine (WABI) – Maine Maple Sunday is less than two weeks away, and the Williams Family Farm in Clifton is gearing up for one of the sweetest seasons yet.

A long stretch of frost and snow meant a late start this year, but the first boil of sap has finally run through the evaporator, and maple season is officially underway.

At Williams Family Farm, everything is done by hand:

  • Fresh maple syrup, bottled on-site
  • Maple sugar, carefully extracted in small batches
  • Baked candied pecans, cashews, and more

The Williams family has spent years working with whatever weather sends their way.

Long winters, surprise warmups, and everything in between—they’ve learned how to adapt so community members can enjoy their products.

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As co-owner John Williams explains, the key is in the temperature.

“You need to have it warm during the day and still freezing at night, so typically that’s the middle of February,” said Williams. “We have a lot of trees, so we have to start tapping them before the conditions are ideal, so we start tapping way before it’s time for it to run just so we can get them all tapped. If you have ten trees in your backyard, you want to wait until roughly now, the middle of February to now, and when it’s actually running and put them in then because you can put all your taps in, in one day.”

They’re excited to welcome the community during Maine Maple Weekend on March 21 and 22.

They will be boiling up sap, hosting demonstrations, and providing free samples.

Locals can also join them for their third annual pancake breakfast where all proceeds are donated to Holbrook Recreation.

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Follow the link to find out their hours for March and more.



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