The organizations that comprise the Environmental Priorities Coalition worked on more than 100 different pieces of legislation this year that affect the quality of our environment and the health of Maine people. At the beginning of the session, the EPC selected a common agenda of high priority issues that we worked on together throughout the year. Listed below is the outcome on those priority issues.
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LD 412, Resolve, Regarding Legislative Review of Portions of Chapter 882: Designation of Bisphenol A as a Priority Chemical and Regulation of Bisphenol A in Children's Products, a Major Substantive Rule of the Department of Environmental ProtectionStatus: Passed We all have a stake in helping kids and families stay healthy. BPA is linked to a staggering number of health problems, and it is in a broad range of products. But safer alternatives to BPA already exist. This resolve requires safer alternatives to BPA in reusable food and beverage containers (including baby bottles and sippy cups). |
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LD 553, An Act to Improve Maine’s Energy SecuritySponsored by Rep. Stacey Fitts Status: Passed Breaking Maine's oil habit will reduce pollution and could help jump-start our economy. This law requires the State to develop a plan to cut Maine’s consumption of oil by 30 percent by 2030 and by 50 percent by 2050 – ambitious but achievable goals, using technology largely available today. The plan is due to the Legislature in December 2012. |
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LD 852, An Act To Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue To Support Maine's Natural Resource-based EconomySponsored by Senator David Trahan Status: Postponed until next legislative session Protecting Maine’s natural resource based infrastructure preserves our way of life and secures an economic future for our children. The bill would have funded the Land for Maine’s Future program (LMF), which has an outstanding record of success at protecting Maine’s natural legacy and a history of bipartisan support. Unfortunately, the LMF bond was not issued this session despite immense support from the public. |
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LD 981, An Act To Increase Recycling Jobs in Maine and Lower Costs for Maine Businesses Concerning Recycled ElectronicsSponsored by Representative Melissa Walsh-Innes Status: Passed Turning today’s trash into tomorrow’s products creates new opportunities for Maine people and businesses to prosper. Solid waste costs account for more than 10% of municipal budgets and are growing every year. This law reduces pollution, cuts costs, and creates jobs by expanding opportunities for the responsible recycling of electronic waste from computers, TVs and printers.Stay on the Trail: Defend Against Rollbacks that Take Maine in the Wrong Direction |
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Stay on the Trail: Defend Against Rollbacks that Take Maine in the Wrong DirectionLawmakers introduced more than 50 rollback bills this session that would have weakened Maine’s environmental laws, increased air and water pollution, and jeopardized public health. The EPC and its allies worked with the Legislature to defeat many of the most egregious of these measures, which would have undermined the good health, good jobs and quality of life that Maine’s environment provides to all of us. |
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