Producer/Host: Amy Browne with special guest co-host, Ingrid Peterson
Segment 1: Last week we reported on proposed legislation calling for an investigation into the condition of the PanAm rail tracks between Bucksport and Brewer, where many derailments have occurred. Legislators at a public hearing in March expressed shock at the deterioration of the tracks, and disbelief that they were still in daily use.
Investigative reporter Lance Tapley has learned that fracked crude oil is being transported by PanAm rail, as well as MMA, the rail line involved in the catastrophe in Quebec. And PanAm has not been filing required reports with the state. Interview with Lance Tapley FMI: http://blog.thephoenix.com/BLOGS/abouttown/archive/2013/07/10/state-to-probe-missing-crude-oil-reports-panam-mepolitics-crudeoil.aspx
Segment 2: A local group is forming to explore ways people in this part of the state might work together on gun control issues. They are having a meeting this week. On our Peacetime segment today, organizer Mary Ann Royal joins us to tell us more FMI: northernme@mcahv.org
Segment 3: The Penobscot River will get one step closer to its wild state on Monday, when the Veazie Dam is removed. Nick Bennett is a Staff Scientist with the Natural Resources Council of Maine, and has worked with the coalition of groups that comprise the Penobscot River Restoration Trust, which has been working for years to bring this to fruition:
FMI: www.nrcm.org