NRCM news release
May 6, 2022 (Augusta, ME) – The vast majority of Mainers support policies to curb pollution by reducing waste and acting on climate according to a new poll of Maine voters conducted in Spring 2022.
The poll confirms that actions taken by the Maine Legislature over the past few years to encourage solar energy, reduce plastic pollution, and require large corporations to pay for the disposal of packaging waste have received widespread support among Maine people.
“There is no question that Maine people overwhelmingly support actions taken by the Legislature to protect our environment, climate, and communities,” said Lisa Pohlmann, CEO of the Natural Resources Council of Maine. “Now more than ever, Mainers value our clean air, clean water, and healthy environment, and they appreciate and expect leadership by Maine’s elected officials in addressing issues such as climate change and plastic pollution.”
According to the phone and online survey of a representative sample of 622 Mainers across all political parties conducted by Digital Research, Inc. in March and April 2022:
- 8 out of 10 voters support laws that reduce the amount of plastic waste in the state’s environment, including 52% who strongly support such laws.
- 79% of Mainers support the 2021 Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging law and believe that corporations that create product packaging should be responsible for its recycling and disposal costs.
- 75% of Maine voters would support actions to encourage solar electric facilities in their communities, with almost half strongly supporting such actions. Two out of three Mainers believe that global warming will negatively impact the state within the next ten years, compared to roughly four out of ten in 2018.
- 72% of Mainers support additional funding to make community streets safer for children, pedestrians, and bicyclists. Four out of ten strongly support these actions, which can help reduce air pollution by eliminating car trips.
In the past two years, the Maine Legislature enacted ambitious greenhouse gas reduction requirements; expanded solar energy sources; and cracked down on plastic pollution by restricting single-use plastic bags and foam food containers and requiring more recycled content in plastic beverage containers. Maine was the first state in the nation to pass an Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging law to shift the cost for disposing of wasteful packaging away from taxpayers to large corporations and manufacturers.
“This poll demonstrates that Maine people continue to place a high priority on protecting the natural resources that make our state such a special place to live, work, and visit,” said Pohlmann.
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