A bill would tighten oversight of the DEP when it comes to dam relicensing to keep the state from losing its say on water levels. by Colin Woodard Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — Lawmakers want to impose firmer oversight of the Department of Environmental Protection’s handling of dam relicensing after the state missed Read More
Safer Products
Maine Moms, Activists Rally for Changes in Chemical Safety Bill
Critics say a bill in the Senate would undermine states’ efforts to protect consumers. by Kevin Miller, Washington Bureau Chief Portland Press Herald news story WASHINGTON — A group of Maine mothers and activists joined others from around the country Tuesday to lobby Congress to change a chemical safety bill that they say would undermine Read More
‘Chemicals are Everywhere’: Maine Moms Lobby for Update to Toxic Substance Law
By Seth Koenig, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story PORTLAND, Maine — Bettyann Sheats said when her daughter was younger, they used to enjoy making crafts together. The Auburn woman said she later was shocked to learn that some of the metal charms they used to make beaded bracelets contained lead, and others may Read More
Uncertain Funding Places Bill to Toughen Chemical Labeling Rules in Jeopardy
by Kirsten Silvain Bangor Daily News news story AUGUSTA, Maine â After sailing through the Maine House on Wednesday, a bill that would require companies to inform the public that their products contain bisphenol A and other potentially toxic chemicals plunged into financial limbo after the Senate added it to more than 100 pieces of Read More
LePage on Plastic Foam Ban: Don’t Be ‘Nanny’
He co-signs a letter to Portland councilors as a task force urges them to prohibit polystyrene use. by Randy Billings, staff writer Portland Press Herald news story PORTLAND â Gov. Paul LePage and a national conservative group have come out against a proposed ban on plastic-foam products in Maine’s largest city. The proposal would prohibit Read More
Maine Lawmakers Overwhelmingly Endorse No Toxic Chemicals in Children’s Toys
by Steve Mistler, State House Bureau Kennebec Journal news story AUGUSTA â Lawmakers overwhelmingly advanced a bill aimed at beefing up the state program designed to phase out toxic chemicals in children’s products, but final passage is still in question. The proposal, L.D. 1181, sponsored by Sen. Seth Goodall, D-Richmond, would require manufacturers of 49 Read More
Maine Leaders Try and Fail to Dilute Recycling’s Success
‘Product stewardship’s regulations â even those with industry and bipartisan support â meet staunch resistance from, among others, a commissioner with former ties to corporate interests. by Colin Woodard, staff writer Portland Press Herald news story Third of three parts HERE’S WHAT WE FOUND A Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram investigation has found Patricia Aho, Read More
Maine DEP Needs an Advocate, Not a Lobbyist
A newspaper investigation shows an agency that puts corporate interests ahead of people. Portland Press Herald editorial Corporations can hire lobbyists to fight for them and influence public policy. Ordinary people can’t. They depend on the government to be their advocate. When the lobbyist and the government are the same, the ordinary people are the Read More
Moms Call on Legislators to Pass BPA Right-to-Know Bill
LD 1181 would require billion dollar food companies to report their use of BPA in food packaging ACHM Press Release (AUGUSTA) Maine moms want to know if Sponge Bob and Dora the Explorer are hiding toxic BPA in their soup cans. Maine’s growing specialty food businesses want to make sure the packaging they use is Read More
