Category: WERU News Report

WERU News Report 3/26/13

Producer/Host: Amy Browne

Topics: regulating tar sands, smart meters fees

Segment 1: There is news today on the issue of a possible tar sands pipeline in Maine. A diverse coalition of groups and individuals announced this morning that they are filing a petition with the federal government, calling for new safety standards– and a moratorium on further construction until the safety measures are in place. Jim Murphy, Lead Counsel for the National Wildlife Federation, was the moderator on a conference call earlier today, where the coalition provided background:
(FMI: NWF.org/TarSands and NRCM.org/tarsands.asp )

Segment 2: In Augusta this afternoon, the Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee held a public hearing on a bill [LD 826 “An Act To Eliminate the Opt-out Charges for Smart Meters”] that would eliminate the fees consumers currently have to pay if they don’t want one of the electric company’s so-called “smart meters” on their house. The meters have raised concerns about health and privacy issues. Representative Andrea Boland spoke in favor of the bill:

WERU News Report 3/13/13

Producer/Host: Amy Browne

The transportation Committee held a public hearing this afternoon on LD 566 a “Resolve, To Enhance and Encourage Economic Development of the Lower Penobscot River Basin by Improving Rail Transportation”, sponsored by Representative Richard Campbell of Orrington. The testimony raised serious concerns about the safety of people and the environment along that section of rail

Note: The photos referenced in the testimony can be viewed on WERU’s facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151366755512987.1073741826.19241887986&type=1

WERU News Report 3/12/13

Producer/Host: Amy Browne

Legislation that would permanently ban disclosure of information about concealed weapons permit holders drew a large crowd to a public hearing before the Judiciary Committee today. LD 345 “An Act To Ensure the Confidentiality of Concealed Weapons Permit Holder Information” follows legislation that Governor LePage passed as “emergency legislation” last month, after a reporter for the Bangor Daily News requested records under a Freedom of Information request. The so-called emergency legislation expires in April. The bill heard today aims to make those changes permanent.

WERU News Report 3/6/13

Producer/Host: Amy Browne

In Augusta yesterday, the Judiciary Committee held a public hearing on LD311 “An Act To Protect Landowners from the Exercise of Eminent Domain in Energy Infrastructure Corridors”. LD311 is one of at least 3 bills that are being considered this session to address concerns about eminent domain that have been raised in light of the secrecy surrounding the proposed East-West Highway / Corridor. Ron Huber of WRFR in Rockland provided the News Report with audio from the hearing

WERU News Report 3/5/13

Producer/Host: Amy Browne

Continuing our coverage of the proposed East-West Highway/Corridor, we’re going to start with an interview with Chris Buchanan, a statewide coordinator for “Stop the East West Corridor”, and Maine coordinator with “Defending Water for Life in Maine”. Chris will give us an update on the project, and the many unanswered questions that concern opponents. Later on today’s News Report, we’ll hear how Darryl Brown, the East-West highway project manager for Cianbro corporation, responded to questions at presentations in Calais and Eastport in January. Cianbro has been the most vocal proponent of the project, while refusing to disclose exactly what their role would be and how they stand to gain financially. Our thanks to Jane Crosen for recording the presentations for WERU.

FMI: www.stopthecorridor.org

WERU News Report 2/27/13

Producer/Host: Amy Browne

“An Act To Protect the Privacy of Citizens from Domestic Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Use,” (LD236) sponsored by Senator John Patrick, was discussed yesterday at a public hearing before the judiciary committee in Augusta. And before you think domestic drones a thing of the future, you should know that Shenna Bellows of the Maine ACLU was able to bring a few of them with her for “show and tell”

Today we hear testimony from Shenna Bellows, Executive Director of the ACLU of Maine, and Bruce Gagnon of Maine Veteran’s for Peace, as well as questions from the committee members.

FMI:
www.aclumaine.org/privacy
http://www.mainelegislature.org/LawMakerWeb/summary.asp?ID=280046602
Viking Unmanned Aerial Systems, based in Maine: vikinguas.com

WERU News Report 2/26/13

Producer/Host: Amy Browne

The town of Searsport held the final in the series of public hearings on the proposed LPG tank there last night. People have been waiting to have a chance to comment– some since last year when the planning board stopped allowing comments during their regular meetings when DCP, the company that wants to build the tank, complained. So when the planning board voted to close the hearings last night while some of them were still in line waiting to speak, there was an uproar. Here today, is some of the testimony from last night.

WERU News Report 2/20/13

Producer/Host: Amy Browne

Meetings have been taking place across the state, as supporters of the proposed East-West Highway try to sell the project to the public, and opponents try to caution communities to look beyond the sales pitch. Opponents say the project is actually an East/West utilities corridor, and that despite denials, there are still unresolved questions about private property being taken by eminent domain. Last week some of them shared their concerns with Penobscot County Commissioners, and the commissioners responded. Here are some excerpts from that meeting, recorded for WERU by Jane Crosen