Status: Resolution: Success – Under pressure from his caucus, the Governor released the 2010 Bond.
The Land for Maine's Future program (LMF) partners with landowners, municipalities, and state agencies to support local economies through conservation projects. LD 1454 will provide funding to protect working farms, forests, and waterfronts and provide essential infrastructure to help preserve Maine's unique character, support ecotourism, and grow businesses.
Factsheets: Epc 2016 Factsheet Lmf
Status: Resolution: Amended bill was passed in the House 91-56 and in the Senate unanimously. The Governor vetoed the bill and the House failed to override by two votes.
Maine is the only state in New England without a comprehensive solar policy, and we lag behind in solar installations and jobs being created. LD 1649 would ramp-up solar installations, increasing the amount of energy produced by ten-fold over five years, creating 800 new jobs, and reducing electricity rates for all Mainers.
Factsheets: Epc Solar Factsheet 2016
Status: Resolution: The Culvert Bond was tabled and died. The only bonds that were voted on and passed by agreement were regarding transportation and research and development.
Many Maine culverts are old, ineffective, and risky. LD 1069 will prepare communities for extreme weather events, strengthen Maine's long-term economic base and competitive advantage, create and preserve jobs, and reduce future costs by avoiding emergency replacements during large storms or water main breaks during spring thaw.
Factsheets: Epc 2016 Factsheet Stream Crossings
Status: Resolution: Success – The bill was amended to neutralize the negative impact, maintaining energy efficiency funding. Then, the Governor vetoed the bill, but the veto was overridden.
The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) is an effective 9-state program that reduces climate pollution while lowering energy costs and improving Maine's economy. LD 1398 would slash RGGI funding for energy efficiency programs. Cutting energy efficiency support for businesses means less capital investment in Maine, fewer jobs, and a less competitive economy. Governor’s Bill
Factsheets: Epc 2016 Factsheet Rggi
Status: Resolution: Success – The bill received an 11-2 Ought Not to Pass vote in committee and died.
Maine has an excellent oil spill reporting incentive in place that encourages people to call DEP to report spills before it’s too late to prevent environmental damage. LD 1494 would get rid of Maine’s simple and effective spill reporting incentive and replace it with a complex set of exemptions favored by the oil industry.
Status: Resolution: Success – The bill was tabled early in the session; it never received a hearing and died.
Maine communities should be able to decide whether to limit the use of harmful pesticides to protect the public's health. LD 1543 attacks "home rule," and prevents towns from taking steps to reduce citizen exposure to harmful pesticides, invalidates current local ordinances, and requires the creation of costly new boards to oversee local ordinances.
Factsheets: Epc 2016 Factsheet Pesticides 2