Published: October 6, 2025
Climate Lawsuit to Remain in Maine Court – In Nov. 2024, Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey filed a lawsuit against oil companies alleging that they deceived Mainers and caused harm to people, the environment and the economy. On Sep. 29, U.S. District Court Judge Nancy Torresen declined the defendant’s request to move the case to a more favorable federal court.
The Maine lawsuit names companies such as Exxon, British Petroleum, Chevron, Shell and Sunoco, alleging that they knowingly and deliberately hid science that proved the dangers of fossil fuels as a way to boost sales. In an interview, Frey stated that the companies “knew for years that the increased use of their product would result in catastrophic impacts on states, just like Maine.” The lawsuit seeks payment for damages caused.
This action comes as part of a movement by states to sue fossil fuel companies for misleading the public and causing damage to the environment, economy and population. California, Vermont and Massachusetts have filed similar lawsuits. Similarly, a youth climate group successfully sued their home state of Montana, alleging that failure to protect the environment violated the state constitution. Maine is less reliant on the oil industry compared to Montana. The lawsuit filed by Frey seeks past and future damages, seeks to get companies to give up profits gained from the alleged deception, and seeks court orders to force oil companies to cease their alleged campaign of misinformation about climate change.
Fossil fuel companies prefer federal courts to state courts, and often attempt to have their cases moved. The Supreme Court has blocked attempts to move cases to federal court. Judge Torressen’s ruling is unique to others, because it says the oil companies should pay costs to Maine for the “improper” attempt to move the case to a different jurisdiction.
Spokespeople for oil companies typically argue that climate change is an issue that needs to be solved by the federal government and congress, not state courts. They often cite the fossil fuel industries’ important role in supplying energy. Supporters of the lawsuits say that damages caused by fossil fuel companies affect local communities, so the decision to sue them in state court makes sense.
Acadia National Park Removes Signs About Climate Change, Indigenous History – National Park Service (NPS) recently removed 10 signs from Acadia National Park – six from Cadillac Mountain and four from Great Meadow. The signs all referenced climate change or Wabanaki history to some degree, but varied in the type of information they contained. Some signs spoke directly about the effects of sea level rise and increasingly intense storms, while others referenced climate change while informing visitors of important park information. One of the signs explained the significance of Cadillac Mountain to the Wabanaki.
Since Trump signed Executive Order 14253, titled “restoring truth and sanity to american history,” in March of this year, the NPS has removed signage and scrapped webpages discussing topics such as climate change, slavery, the genocide of Indigenous Peoples, and the internment of Japanese civilians during World War II.
But the removed signs in Acadia National Park did not just contain messaging about climate change or politics. One of the signs urged visitors to keep on marked trails and avoid picking berries to protect fragile plants and ecosystems, while another sign asked visitors to take the shuttle bus to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Protecting plants and removing congestion from park roads could help to protect the park and improve the experience for visitors.
One of the signs referencing Wabanaki history seemingly contained no information that could be read as negatively representing U.S. history. The sign was titled “this is special ground,” and it read, “Wabanaki people have long held this mountain, Wapuwoc, White Mountain of the First Light, as a significant place. Today, visitors from everywhere find meaning on the mountain. Over the last few centuries, generations of people have made the journey, and many more will follow.”
The removal of the 10 signs has sparked criticism, notably from Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), who called it an attempt to “whitewash history.”
Kennebec River Dam Purchase Will Allow Salmon to Return – The Nature Conservancy will purchase four dams on the Kennebec River, planning to eventually remove them. As part of the agreement, the dams will continue to be operated while they develop a long-term plan that will create a “free-flowing lower Kennebec that restores the ecology and strengthens the economy,” according to Alex Mas, the deputy state director for The Nature Conservancy in Maine, in an interview with The Maine Monitor.
Endangered Atlantic salmon and other seagoing fish have historic spawning grounds on the Sandy River, which they used to access from the ocean through the Kennebec River. The dam has blocked their path for almost a century.
The process of removing the dams will likely take 5-10 years, and during that time, they will continue to produce power. The Nature Conservancy will work with residents on the Kennebec to develop a plan for removal that preserves the local economy and energy needs, while supporting a healthier local ecosystem and maintaining and strengthening the Atlantic Salmon population.
One of the challenges with removing the dam is ensuring that access to electricity and water is not impacted. Sappi North America owns a paper mill in Skowhegan that is reliant on water diverted from one of the dams. The Nature Conservancy plans on working to develop a solution that will not harm the mill, the declining paper industry, or the local economy.
One of the main criticisms of the purchase of hydroelectric dams is that removing them limits Maine’s renewable energy capacity. The dam accounts for a small percentage of Maine’s renewable capacity, and to offset the impact of its removal, the Nature Conservancy plans on developing renewable energy sources and storage facilities to make up for the loss.
Awareness of the way that dams harm Atlantic salmon has increased in recent years, as movements to remove dams have gained more momentum. Near my home town, the Edes Falls Dam in Naples, Maine was removed by a coalition of groups to give landlocked salmon in Sebago access to spawning grounds last summer. Salmon populations have struggled for years, and supporters of dam removal projects say that it gives them a chance to recover.
Umaine Cancels Annual Floating Offshore Wind Summit – The University of Maine American Floating Offshore Wind Technical Summit was cancelled this year, after having annual events since 2020. The conference was cancelled “in recognition of changing federal policies and priorities,” according to university spokesperson Samantha Warren. Warren said that Umaine has no plans of having the conference in the future, but that they will continue to meet privately with partners in industry, research and government.
The summit was held online for the first few years, but in 2024 it took place in-person Portland, drawing 500 people. The university’s Advanced Structures and Composites Center has hosted it since 2020.
Researchers at Umaine have been working on developing technology related to floating offshore wind turbines that anchor deep in the Gulf Maine. Umaine has been a leader in this field, but research and development relies on funding sources like federal grants. The Trump administration is opposed to alternative energy, and has pulled grants to put pressure on state and local governments. A $12.5 million
Maine established the Department of Energy last month. The department allows them to plan and purchase energy in a way that would make it easier to meet ambitious climate goals. Umaine has an opportunity to play a role in this process, but the Trump Administration has been hostile to renewable energy, complicating the matter.
Severe Maine Drought May Continue – Maine and much of New England have had dry conditions throughout the summer. To prevent entering the winter in a drought, we would rain that is well-above average for this time of year. When the ground freezes in the winter, water is no longer able to absorb, which would trap the state in drought conditions until the Spring. The southern part of the state is experiencing extreme and severe drought in particular.
Drought conditions can cause wells to run dry, restricting people’s water access. In Vermont this has been particularly widespread this season. Droughts also can destroy crops, and contribute to wildfires, both of which have been issues in Maine this year.
The increased heat and dry air pull moisture out of vegetation, which increase the risk of wildfires that are difficult to put out. Even when there is some rainfall, hot air is able to dry out vegetation. As Maine continues to get warmer, wildfire risks increase, and a new pattern of droughts will exacerbate the issue even further. Scientists are watching rainfall closely, fearing that the weather conditions may be the new normal.
