Category: WERU News Report

WERU News Report 4/23/13

Producer/Host: Amy Browne

A public hearing is underway in Augusta this afternoon on legislation that would require labeling of genetically modified food in Maine. LD 718, “An Act To Protect Maine Food Consumers’ Right To Know about Genetically Engineered Food and Seed Stock”, is being considered by the Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee of the state legislature – and drawing a large number of people to the hearing. Today on the News Report, we listen in as the legislation is presented.

WERU News Report 4/17/13

Producer/Host: Amy Browne
Audio recorded by John Greenman

Opponents of the proposed East-West Highway/Corridor, spoke at the University of Maine last week, outlining their concerns about the project- and the lack of information that is being provided to the public.

Yesterday we heard from 2 of the speakers: John Banks of the Penobscot Nation, and Chris Buchanan of the “Stop the East-West Corridor” coalition. Today we’re going to hear Gene Ripley, an organic farmer from Dover-Foxcroft, as well as some excerpts from the question and answer session that followed — as the community tries to share what information they have been able to piece together. Maria Girouard of the Wabanaki Center at UMO, facilitated

WERU News Report 4/16/13

Producer/Host: Amy Browne
Audio recorded by John Greenman

Opponents of the proposed East-West Highway/Corridor, spoke at the University of Maine last week, outlining their concerns about the project- and the lack of information that is being provided to the public. Today we’re going to hear from 2 of the speakers: John Banks of the Penobscot Nation, and Chris Buchanan of the “Stop the East-West Corridor” coalition. Maria Girouard of the Wabanaki Center at UMO, facilitated

WERU News Report 4/10/13

Producer/Host: Amy Browne

In Augusta today, the Environment and Natural Resources Committee held public hearings this afternoon on 3 separate bills designed to increase regulatation of the chemical Bisphenol A, also known as BPA. BPA is a chemical that is used in plastic toys and in food packaging, including can linings. It has been linked with a wide range of health problems in children and adults. As we went to air this afternoon, the committee was discussing LD 844 : a Resolve, To Require a Study of the Availability of Food Packaging without Bisphenol A, introduced by Rep. Sara Gideon of Freeport

WERU News Report 4/9/13

Producer/Host: Amy Browne

Segment 1: With North Korea so much in the news these days, we bring you this report on an under-reported story from South Korea: Gangjeong village’s struggle against a navy base – produced by WERU volunteer Carolyn Coe earlier this year, after she returned from a trip to the area. Features interviews with Sung-Ku Choi, Dr. Song Kang-Ho, Kang Dong-Kyun
and Sung-Hee Choi

Segment 2: The Peace & Justice Center of Eastern Maine’s 19th Annual HOPE Festival is coming up on April 27th, and they have a new theme and format this year. Joining us on our Peacetime segment today is Mat Dubel, the Executive Director of Fields Pond Audubon Center, and one of organizers of the event, to tell us about the “Do One Thing” theme FMI: www.peacectr.org

WERU News Report 4/3/13

Producer/Host: Amy Browne

Part 2: E/W Hwy/Corridor: Promoters Peter Vigue and Darryl Brown, gave a presentation about the project for the Penobscot County Commissioners today. During the question and answer period that followed, one person after another tried to get details about the project, which have been closely guarded secrets. Audio recorded by Jane Crosen

(Part 1 aired 4/2/13)

WERU News Report 4/2/13

Producer/Host: Amy Browne

*Breaking news: DCP Midstream, the Colorado-based mega-corporation, has WITHDRAWN their application to build a massive LPG tank in Searsport.

*Moving on to the E/W Hwy/Corridor: Promoters Peter Vigue and Darryl Brown, gave a presentation about the project for the Penobscot County Commissioners today. During the question and answer period that followed, one person after another tried to get details about the project, which have been closely guarded secrets. Audio recorded by Jane Crosen

WERU News- Special Report 3/29/13

Producer/Host: Amy Browne

An out-of-state corporation’s highly controversial proposal to build a 22.7 million gallon, 14 story tall, liquid propane tank, an associated 90,000 gallon tank, and other structures on a small plot of land in Searsport, is in the hands of the town’s planning board. This week they began deliberations, and for the first time the public had a chance to hear what they think about the plan, after sitting through several months of meetings and public hearings – and reviewing a mountain of documents. And what they had to say was NOT good news for DCP Midstream, the company that wants to build the facility. In the first 2 nights of deliberations this week, the planning board has identified not 1, but FOUR ways in which the proposal does not meeting the town’s criteria for new development.