The Power Plant Global Warming Bill: An Exceptional Opportunity for Maine
Coastal flooding from sea-level rise, a faltering winter recreation economy, and more asthma and Lyme disease are some of the warning signs that Maine is already experiencing as a result of global warming. The power plant global warming bill introduced this session, known as RGGI (Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative), will help to reduce global warming pollution while improving our economy and health and saving Mainers money on energy.
Maine’s Department of Environmental Protection identified RGGI as the most important next step for Maine to cut global warming pollution. Eight northeast states are working toward this bi-partisan, regional approach to reducing global warming pollution from power plants. Together these states add up to the seventh largest source of global warming pollution in the world.
Replenish the Land for Maine's Future Program: Conserve Special Places Before It’s Too Late
Land for Maine’s Future (LMF) is Maine’s most popular outdoor program—but now it is out of funds. This is because last session, partisan politics prevented any bond issues from coming before the voters, including for LMF. Voters overwhelmingly supported LMF bonds in 1987, 1999, and 2005, and citizens, towns and landowners from across Maine continue to approach LMF with critical conservation projects.
LMF cannot help until funds are renewed. Until then, we are faced with the subdivision and sale of working forests, loss of family farms, and sprawl that all threaten Maine people’s livelihood, way of life, and recreational opportunities. Without $20-25 million per year for LMF, Maine will continue to lose farms, forests, snowmobile trails, shoreline, and hunting grounds.
Protect Maine Children from “Deca”: We Can Have Fire Protection Without Poisons
Flame retardants used in fabrics, foams, and various other plastics have helped to stop fires and save lives. However, the brominated ones are toxic. They can permanently damage brain and reproductive systems and cause learning disabilities in children.
Fortunately, there are effective flame retardants already in widespread use that are far safer and do not build up in people and animals or persist in the environment. The levels of brominated chemicals in people’s bodies are doubling every two to five years and are 40 times higher in North America than on other continents.
Support the Riverfront Community Development Bond: Promote Sustainable Development Along Maine’s Rivers
Communities across the state have rediscovered clean and healthy rivers as a key to increasing economic opportunities and protecting Maine’s way of life. To leverage community investments and bring about river-based economic revitalization projects, a bi-partisan group of legislators introduced a $25 million Riverfront Community Development Bond. With more than 30,000 miles of rivers in the state, and more than half of Maine citizens living in riverfront communities, the potential benefits of a river bond are enormous.
In recent years, Maine people have become able to once again safely enjoy our magnificent rivers. In many rivers across the state, people can once again swim, fish, and canoe. Local communities have begun looking to seize opportunities to revitalize their riverfronts to improve the economy and quality of life in their towns. Habitat restoration projects on rivers are starting to result in the return of long-diminished runs of sea-run fish and have helped to make our river ecosystems healthier and more vibrant.