US seeks new lithium sources as demand for batteries grows
NEWRY, Maine (AP) — The United States will need far more lithium to achieve its clean energy goals, and the industry that mines the chemical element is poised to grow. The industry also faces a host of challenges from environmentalists, Indigenous groups and government regulators. Lithium is distributed widely throughout the Earth, but the U.S. is home to just one active lithium mine, in Nevada. The element is critical to the development of lithium-ion batteries, which are rechargeable batteries seen as critical to reducing the carbon emissions created by cars and other forms of transportation.
GOVERNOR CANDIDATE-CHILD PORN
Mills gives back donations from man arrested for child porn
ELLSWORTH, Maine (AP) — Maine Gov. Janet Mills is donating campaign contributions from a former political candidate charged with possessing child porn to the Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault. A spokesperson for Mills’ campaign said Monday that the donations from two-time gubernatorial candidate Eliot Cutler and his wife would be provided to the organization. They each gave the maximum contribution of $3,450 to the Mills campaign for her reelection bid. The Maine Republican Party called on Mills to return the money on Friday after Cutler was charged with possessing child pornography. Cutler, who’s 75, will make his first court appearance May 3.
HOMELESS ASSAULT
3 teens charged after recorded attack on homeless in Maine
AUBURN, Maine (AP) — Police say a video of a pair of homeless people being assaulted led to the arrest of three teenagers in Auburn, Maine. Two girls, ages 14 and 16, were charged Sunday with aggravated assault while a 15-year-old boy who reportedly recorded the attack was charged with conspiracy to commit aggravated assault. The attack happened in Moulton Park. The victims who were assaulted declined to cooperate with investigators.
GULF OF MAINE-WARMING
Fast-warming Gulf of Maine set new record in 2021
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The Gulf of Maine, one of the world’s fastest-warming ocean waters, soared to a new new record for surface temperature. The Gulf of Maine Research Institute announced Monday that the surface temperature in 2021 was more than 4 degrees Fahrenheit above the long-term average. Researchers said the 2021 average was 54.14 degrees Fahrenheit (12.3 degrees Celsius) compared to 53.63 degrees Fahrenheit (12 degrees Celsius) in 2012. The warming represents a continuation of a trend. Researchers say the rate of warming in the Gulf of Maine has been nearly triple that of the world’s oceans since the early 1980s.
DIGITAL PARK PASS
Senators want a digital “America the Beautiful” pass
BAR HARBOR, Maine (AP) — Senators from Maine and Montana want the National Park Service to create a digitized version of a pass that provides access to hundreds of protected sites. Independent Sen. Angus King of Maine and Republican Sen. Steve Daines of Montana said this month that a digital version of the “America the Beautiful” pass would be helpful for park visitors. The paper version of the pass provides access to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites. The senators have made their case to National Park Service Director Charles Sams.
SHIPYARD CAUCUS
Lawmakers form caucus to support four US shipyards
KITTERY, Maine (AP) — Maine’s congresswoman is a member of a new caucus that will focus on the country’s public shipyards. Democratic Rep. Chellie Pingree said Friday the caucus was created to provide support to the nation’s four public shipyards, including Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Maine. The others are Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Virginia, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility in Washington and Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility in Hawaii. The shipyards repair and retrofit aircraft carriers and submarines.