Downeast: Kingfish Maine pushing for help to proceed with aquaculture project

banner that states by judith meyer, the editor of monitor local

There are two special meetings on Wednesday this week about major projects proposed in Jonesport and Eastport, both of which have garnered significant local opposition.

In Jonesport, voters will decide whether to amend a municipal ordinance that would give Kingfish Maine up to 30 months to substantially start construction on a 22-acre, land-based aquaculture project near Chandler Bay. The current ordinance allows only 24 months, which Kingfish said isn’t enough time.

Kingfish first proposed the $100-million project in 2019, but environmental concerns sparked immediate opposition, and the proposal has been delayed by years of legal challenges. Last year, the Maine Supreme Judicial Court upheld the Maine Department of Environmental Protection permit, clearing the project to proceed. But company officials said investors and contractors that were originally lined up for the project are no longer in place, and they need more time to show significant progress under the permit.

Our story this week explains where the project stands and what voters are being asked to consider.

In Eastport, voters will go to public hearings on two citizen-initiated ordinances.

One ordinance will prohibit large-scale data centers within city limits, including a proposed underwater artificial intelligence data center in the Bay of Fundy’s Western Passage. The second ordinance will require voter approval for commercial and industrial development of structures based on size.

The ordinances, drafted by Eastport Coalition for Healthy Oceans, target a proposal by DeepGreen to construct a 27-acre tidal‑powered underwater AI data-center that it says requires a “400-acre operational envelope.”

In February, DeepGreen applied for a 48‑month preliminary permit with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to conduct engineering and environmental studies, but on July 15 FERC sent a letter to DeepGreen saying it found the permit application deficit and has requested more information from the company.

We will cover those hearings and report what voters decide.

All of the stories published by Monitor Local are written by freelancers, some of whom are former professional journalists, and others who are motivated to cover local news that’s important to their communities.

In partnership with Journalism New England, we offer a training program for people who are interested in joining our work. For more information about the program and application process, click here. The deadline to apply for our next Career Lab is Aug. 21.

If you’re interested in freelance work but not interested in this training opportunity, please reach out to me at judy@themainemonitor.org. I’d love to hear from you.

Enjoy the weekend, and please share this newsletter with family members and friends. They can sign up on our website to have it delivered to their own inbox each Saturday.

Know of someone who is passionate about getting information into the hands of their fellow citizen? They might be perfect for the community reporting fellowship. Click the banner for more information and to apply.

After years of legal challenges, Kingfish Maine is pushing for help to proceed with 22-acre aquaculture project in Jonesport: Town to vote next week whether to carve out a broader construction timeline and allow easier permitting. Read this story by Jessica Brockington

Washington County manager lawsuit moved to federal court: A temporary restraining order that was scheduled for hearing in state court Thursday has been continued indefinitely, with the manager on paid leave. Read this story by Judith Meyer

Machiasport officials agree to consider noise ordinance: The decision follows a resident’s complaint about late-night parties on Pettegrow Point Road. Read this story by Melissa S. Razdrih

Machias Select Board approves liquor license for virtual sports business despite neighbors’ concerns: North Street residents object to a “bar” in their neighborhood, but town officials say a lack of zoning leaves them few grounds to deny it. Read this story by Evan W. Houk

Maine hospitals brace for Medicaid cuts: Thousands of people are expected to lose Medicaid, but no one knows exactly who will lose coverage or which parts of Maine will be hit hardest. Read this story by Rose Lundy

Maine moves to strengthen mobile home park oversight: The Maine Manufactured Housing Board has been dissolved and its responsibilities transferred to the Maine Office of Community Affairs, which is still working out exactly what the new regulatory structure will look like. Read this story by Caitlin Andrews

Former Maine congressional candidate admits mistake in GoFundMe appeal for donations: This week, after an inquiry from The Maine Monitor, Paige Loud changed the language on a fundraising page to make clear she was trying to cover personal expenses, not pay off campaign debt. Read this story by Matt Junker

Biddeford shooting renews questions about ICE tactics, training: As state and federal investigations into the Biddeford shooting get underway, a review of previous Maine cases show how investigations into use of force often lean heavily on officers’ perception of potential harm. Read this story by Caitlin Andrews and Sean Scott

How we reported on addiction treatment in Maine’s jails: A behind-the-scenes look at and key takeaways from a recent four-part series. Read this story by Emily Bader

The Monitor, MCPIR announce new board member, C-SPAN partnership: Mike Federle retired as Chief Executive Officer of Forbes Media after seven years of leading the global media brand. Read this story

banner that reads news we're monitoring.

The following stories are from other newsrooms. While The Maine Monitor does not place its content behind a paywall, some newsrooms we link to below may. Paywalled stories are followed by a ($). We encourage you to consider supporting local Maine newsrooms.

MaineDOT receives $136M boost from state budget surplus to save delayed projects, including Machias Dike | WABI

The Red Cross is warning that its supply of blood is at one of its lowest levels in history | Spectrum News Maine

Baileyville mill ordered to pay nearly $800,000 in fines after deaths of two employees | WABI

The CDC is tracking an unusually high number of salmonella cases tied to backyard poultry | Maine Public

Maine EMS agencies navigate DEA controlled substance rule change | WABI

Online scams and other crimes are on the rise in Maine, with residents losing an average of $280 per person | Public News Service

Many employers in Maine are now required to include salary ranges for job listings | WMTW

NOAA report finds Gulf of Maine warming slowed for now, but ecosystem remains unstable | WABI

Know of a story The Maine Monitor should look into? Click the banner to contact the newsroom.

Have feedback, a correction or know of something we should look into? Send it to our newsroom. You can reach Monitor Local editor Judith Meyer directly via email: judy@themainemonitor.org.

The Maine Monitor is a publication of the Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting, an independent and nonpartisan nonprofit news organization that produces investigative journalism. We believe news is a public good and keep our news free to access. We have no paywall and do not charge for our newsletters. If you value the reporting we do for Maine, please consider making a donation! We cannot do this reporting without your support.

DONATE NOW

banner that states the maine monitor is part of the trust project, an international consortium of news organizations implementing transparency standards. tap to learn about the monitor's editorial standards.

Manage preferences | Update email address