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Close a Development Loophole Some of Maine’s environmental laws allow roads to be built without extensive regulatory review for forest management purposes. Unfortunately, this exemption has been abused and represents a loophole that needs to be closed. Roads initially proposed for forestry are being converted into roads for access to subdivisions – with a level of traffic and environmental impact that might never have been allowed if the initial proposed road specified the eventual intended use. Rep. Joan Welsh has introduced a bill (L.D. 1538) to close these loopholes, clarifying that the forest-management exemptions do not apply to roads that provide access to a subdivision.

Rules for Kid-Safe Chemicals Law Rules to help implement the 2008 Kid Safe Chemicals law will come back to the Legislature this session. The rules establish fees to help cover DEP’s regulatory and administrative costs, and help cover alternative assessment expenses in cases when a manufacturer fails to conduct a proper assessment.

Pesticide Notification The Legislature adopted an important bill last year that requires that Maine people receive proper and timely notification when pesticides will be applied nearby through aerial or air carrier devices. A package of amendments (L.D. 1547) will be offered to make the system more manageable, help the public understand what to expect from pesticide-spraying neighbors, and make enforcement easier for administrators.

Fish Passage Maine is filled with rivers, streams, and brooks, and we also have thousands of miles of roads that cross those waters. Many of the culverts built to pass water under the road are too small or poorly designed to allow fish passage. Requiring culverts to pass natural stream flow will fix this problem, and help protect fish populations. The legislature will consider rules that establish new standards for culverts.

Ocean Energy Over the next decade or two, Maine could become a leader in the development of deep offshore wind power projects. The Governor’s Ocean Energy Task Force will introduce legislation to promote this long-term vision.

Energy Efficiency Financing Rep. Crockett has introduced a bill (L.D. 1717) to authorize creative financing of energy efficiency investments through an approach called Property-Assessed Clean Energy (PACE). The bill would enable local governments to raise money through a bond to fund energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Property owners who participate in making energy investments agree to repay the financing over a set number of years through an assessment levied on their property tax.

Energy Efficiency Funding Maine continues to have the lowest per capita rate of energy efficiency investment in New England. Rep. Seth Berry has introduced a bill (L.D. 1647) that would increase electricity efficiency funding by allowing Maine’s Public Utilities Commission to direct the purchase of energy efficiency through long-term contracts, treating efficiency as a resource comparable to new electricity generation. When investing in efficiency is less expensive than purchasing power, the PUC should ensure that we are investing in efficiency.

Smart Electrical Grid Rep. Hinck has introduced a bill (L.D. 1535) that would encourage development of an electrical transmission system in Maine that uses information technology to curb and manage energy use.