This year’s legislative session resulted in both good news and bad news for Maine’s clean waters, natural areas and wildlife.
From the bottle bill to the billboard law, to the fate of Maine’s Land Use Regulation Commission, Maine’s environment was at the center of many legislative debates, right from the very start of the year. As the session continued, Maine citizens from across the state and many walks of life spoke out to encourage lawmakers to maintain important environmental protections as a means of creating jobs and supporting Maine’s economy.
We kicked off the legislative session by outlining our shared vision for the path forward – our “Maine’s Trail Map to Prosperity” that leads to new jobs, good health, clean energy, and the protection of Maine’s clean waters, natural areas, and wildlife. Of the four priorities we wished to see passed by lawmakers, three were successful – the rule that requires safer alternatives to BPA, the plan to dramatically cut Maine’s oil consumption by 2030, and the law that will help turn today’s trash into tomorrow’s products. Their fourth priority was passage of a Land for Maine’s Future bond, which lawmakers took no action on this year.
Of the thirteen bills seen as top priorities to prevent from passage, seven were defeated and six passed in spite of our efforts. We lost our common-sense pesticide notification registry, our uniform building and energy efficiency code was significantly weakened, there is a serious threat to the Land Use Regulation Commission, protection for aquatic life in rivers and streams was undermined, and there is now increased risk of exposure to mercury in the workplace. These are all serious threats that we are committed to turning around in the years to come.
We worked together to find innovative common-sense solutions to keep us moving in the right direction. We were able to fix what was wrong without destroying what was dear to us. And we defended against many serious threats to our clean waters, natural areas and wildlife. Some significant threats remain, but we are confident that the power of Maine people and the leadership of Maine legislators will protect and defend the good health, good jobs, and quality of life that Maine’s environment provides to all of us.
2011 EPC End of Session Summary Press Packet:
View photos of the press event
Summary of the 2011 EPC Proactive Priorities
Summary of the 2011 EPC Defensive Priorities
Press Release:
"Coalition Highlights Legislative Advances and Setbacks for Maine’s Environment," June 20, 2011
EPC Partner Press statements:
"Sierra Club Maine: Environmental Priorities Coaltion Press Statement," Sierra Club, June 20, 2011