Talk of the Towns 3/11/16

Host: Ron Beard, University of Maine Cooperative Extension
Studio Engineer: Amy Browne

Issue: Community concerns and opportunities

Program Topic: Preview of April 9 Penobscot Watershed Conference

Key Discussion Points:

1. What is the focus of this conference? Who is the audience / sponsors?
2. What led organizers to plan this conference, and why now? What is the connection to a number of conferences in the 1990s?
3. Any outcomes or results from those earlier conferences?
4. What changes in the watershed since the 1990s should we be aware of?
5. One of the outcomes you hope to come from the conference (and one of the hallmarks of the earlier conferences) is to identify some of the “unanswered questions” that could form a research agenda…
6. How do you hope the conference will help achieve some of the other goals you have established for the conference?
a. Improve communication and cooperation among Communities of Place and Communities of Interest in the Penobscot Watershed Region;
b. Provide support and inspiration for those working to conserve, protect and restore the health and integrity of the Penobscot Watershed;
c. Explore current, planned, and potential future efforts that advance a sustainable economy and a high quality of life for all people in the Penobscot Watershed

7. Share details of conference and registration—where can listeners learn more?

(Register at www.seagrant.umaine.edu/penobscot-watershed-conference

8. Reflecting on what makes the Penobscot Bay Watershed such a special place, what are your hopes for the future that make this conference a “not to miss” event?

Guests:
Steve Miller, Islesboro Islands Trust
Cloe Chunn Belfast Bay Watershed Council,
Robin Alden, Penobscot East Fisheries Research Center
Esperanza Stancioff, UM Cooperative Extension
Natalie Springuel, UM Sea Grant, Host Coastal Conversations

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RadioActive 3/10/16

Producer/Host: Meredith DeFrancesco

Issue: Environmental and Social Justice

Program Topic: LD 1649 An Act to Modernize Maine Solar Power Policy and Encourage Economic Development

Key Discussion Points:
1) LD 1649 An Act to Modernize Maine Solar Power Policy and Encourage Economic Development is the product of a long negotiation of stakeholders, including solar installers, electric power companies (Central Maine Power and Emera Maine), the State Office of the Public Advocate, and environmental organizations.
2) Maine lags far behind other states in the region in solar power, much of this attributed to the lack of supportive public policy and consequent financial support.
3) The proposed LD 1649 would restructure net metering and expand opportunities for community solar projects.

Guest:
Vaughn Woodruff, Insource Renewables

www.insourcerenewables.com/

legislature.maine.gov/bills/display_ps.asp?PID=1456&snum=127&paper=HP1120

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