WASHINGTON, Dec. 4 -- The U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Ocean Energy Management issued the following news release on Dec. 3, 2024: The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) today announced its approval of the Construction and Operations Plan for the Maryland Offshore Wind project. This is the final approval needed for the project from BOEM following the Department of the Interior's September 2024 Record of Decision (https://www.boem.gov/newsroom/press-releases/biden-harris-admi  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 3 -- The U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Ocean Energy Management issued the following news release: In support of the Biden-Harris administration's goal of deploying 30 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind energy capacity by 2030, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) today issued a Record of Decision identifying environmental measures expected to be applied to future wind energy development of the six lease areas offshore New York and New Jersey in an area known   more

AUGUSTA, Maine, Dec. 4 -- Gov. Janet Mills, D-Maine, issued the following news on Dec. 3, 2024: Governor Janet Mills announced today that a second round of applications is now open for Maine small businesses to help them rebuild and recover from last winter's devastating storms. The Department of Economic and Community Development today opened applications for approximately $2 million in remaining funding for Maine small businesses and nonprofit organizations through its Business Recovery and   more

AUGUSTA, Maine, Dec. 4 -- Gov. Janet Mills, D-Maine, issued the following news on Dec. 3, 2024: * * * Dismissal by Maine Superior Court of Consent Decree follows finding that State of Maine has achieved substantial compliance to improve mental health services * * * Governor Janet Mills announced today that the Maine Superior Court has dismissed the Augusta Mental Health Institute (AMHI) Consent Decree, marking a significant and successful resolution to the judicial system's longstanding lega  more

AUGUSTA, Maine, Dec. 4 -- Gov. Janet Mills, D-Maine, issued the following news on Dec. 3, 2024: Governor Janet Mills tonight welcomed the members-elect of the 132nd Maine Legislature to Maine's state capital during a banquet and reception for incoming legislators at the Augusta Civic Center. The banquet was held as part of the Pre-Legislative Conference, a gathering hosted by the Legislative Council to prepare new and returning lawmakers for the next session of the Maine Legislature. Governor M  more

AUGUSTA, Maine, Dec. 4 -- The Maine Public Utilities Commission issued the following order (No. 2024-00236) on Dec. 3, 2024: * * * PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION, Amendments to Chapter 320 of the Commission's Rules--Electric Transmission and Distribution Utility Service standards ORDER ADOPTING RULE AND STATEMENT OF FACTUAL AND POLICY BASIS BARTLETT, Chair; SCULLY and GILBERT, Commissioners I. SUMMARY Through this Order, the Commission adopts amendments to Rule 320--Electric Transmission and   more

PORTLAND, Maine, Dec. 3 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Maine issued the following news release: The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Maine has reached a settlement agreement with Lowe's Companies, Inc. to resolve allegations that the retailer did not provide compliant access for customers with disabilities at many of its Maine locations. The settlement agreement resolves an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) complaint filed by a Lowe's customer with a mobil  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 3 -- Sen. Susan M. Collins, R-Maine, issued the following news release: Today, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) announced that U.S. Senator Susan Collins has been selected for their 12th annual 100 Women list. In announcing her selection, the BBC highlighted two legislative efforts that Senator Collins has led in the U.S. Senate: her authoring and leading the passage of the National Alzheimer's Project Act (NAPA), and her joint introduction of the Advancing Menopause   more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 3 -- Sen. Susan M. Collins, R-Maine, issued the following news release: Senators Susan Collins and Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.), members of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, applauded Senate passage of their bipartisan Autism CARES Act of 2024. The bill would renew and expand federal support for research, services, and training related to autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities. Autism CARES is the main source of federal funding for  more

WASHINGTON, Dec. 4 -- The U.S. Department of Transportation's Surface Transportation Board issued the following decision (Docket No. AB 1341X) entitled "Midcoast Railservice, Inc. - Discontinuance Of Service Exemption - In Cumberland, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc Counties, Maine": * * * Digest:/1 This decision allows Midcoast Railservice, Inc., to discontinue service over approximately 58.68 miles of rail line in Cumberland, Knox, Lincoln, and Sagadahoc Counties, Me. On August 16, 2024, Midcoast   more