LD 1662: An Act to Improve Maine’s Air Quality and Reduce Regional Haze at Acadia National Park and Other Class 1 Areas
End of session update:
Maine’s air continues to be polluted by the burning of fossil fuel, from both in-state and out-of-state sources. Sulfur and small particles released from burning oil and other fuels increase emergency room visits, respiratory illnesses, and premature death. Maine has one of the highest asthma rates in the country, and oil burning is the state’s leading contributor to sulfur pollution.
The Maine Legislature took an important step to reduce air pollution by passing a bill that requires cleaner fuels for home heating and industrial uses. The bill was introduced by Sen. Seth Goodall (D-Richmond) at a press event last fall in Acadia National Park, where summer air pollution can greatly reduce visibility. An Act to Improve Maine’s Air Quality and Reduce Regional Haze (LD 1662) was supported by the association representing Maine’s oil dealers, yet faced significant opposition from lobbyists representing paper mills that were concerned about the availability of low sulfur industrial fuels, despite assurances that supplies would be ample. Most other northeastern states are taking similar actions to clean up these fuels.
"The DEP worked hard to show that a six-year timeline for shifting to low-sulfur fuels was achievable and would provide significant public health and air quality benefits,” said NRCM Energy Project Director Dylan Voorhees. “This new law will literally save lives by reducing some of the air pollution that threatens the health of Maine families and our environment.”
Read NRCM's testimony on this bill.
Sulfur pollution from burning fossil fuels harms air quality for Maine people—especially for kids and the elderly.
- Air quality is a significant problem in Maine. Maine has one of the highest rates of lung disease, affecting more than 120,000 citizens including children with asthma.
- At least $150 million in health costs are incurred every year in Maine as a result of lung disease.
- Pollution from fossil fuel burning, including sulfur and particulate matter has been linked with cardiovascular disease, respiratory illness, emergency room visits, and premature death.
- Less pollution is good news for everyone who breathes.
Sulfur pollution is a major contributor to “regional haze” which significantly reduces visibility and visitor enjoyment at some of Maine’s key tourism destinations.
- Tourism is Maine’s largest employer, and it relies on visitors to places such as Acadia National Park, one of the most visited national parks in the country with 2 million visitors.
- High sulfur levels in heating fuel reduce the visibility of Maine's celebrated vistas. Ammonium sulfate causes more than 50 percent of regional visibility impairment in this part of the country.
- Visitors to national parks and wilderness areas consistently rank visibility and clear scenic vistas as one of the most important aspects of their experience. Yet the average visual range is less than one-fifth of the range that would exist under natural conditions.
Reducing sulfur content in heating oil and other fossil fuels will help improve air quality… and could save us money.
- Reducing sulfur content in heating oil will allow Maine homeowners to use more efficient furnaces and boilers, which can reduce heating costs in the long-run.
- Maine has already made the switch to ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel for our cars and trucks.
Switching to ultra-low sulfur heating oil will take time but we must start now.
- This bill requires lower sulfur limits in heating oil and similar fossil fuels to be phased in from 2014-2018. This gives producers and distributers the time they need to make the transition.
- Maine is working with the Northeast and mid-Atlantic states to pursue a coordinated course of action as part of our strategy to comply with the Federal Clean Air Act.
- Every year we delay, costs Maine people in greater respiratory illness and fewer clean air days.
For information, please contact Dylan Voorhees at dylan@nrcm.org or 207-430-0112
