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Global warming law to cut pollution 80 percent
In July, New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine signed the nation’s strongest global warming bill into law, a bill promoted by our colleagues at Environment New Jersey. The Global Warming Response Act will reduce the state’s global warming pollution to below 1990 levels by 2020 and to 80 percent below current levels by 2050—stronger than even California’s previous high bar.
California, Hawaii and Minnesota have also passed statewide caps on global warming pollution. Seven other states—Washington, Maryland, Oregon, New Mexico, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts—are considering similar legislation. In each of these states, our allies are leading the campaign to pass legislation. We’re hoping for similar action in Augusta.
Victory for coastal water quality
On June 12, voters approved an $18.3 million bond for improving water quality and wastewater infrastructure, capping a successful two-year campaign by Environment Maine and the Maine Wastewater Control Association to get the bonds approved by the Legislature and Gov. Baldacci.
Towns such as Machias, Ellsworth and Presque Isle are in line for $12 million in grants for wastewater infrastructure, and towns such as Augusta, Old Orchard Beach and Westbrook will apply for $2.9 million from the state bond and $14.5 million of matching federal low-interest loans for wastewater systems.
These investments will improve water quality along the coast and reopen clam flats previously closed by contamination. Our state leaders must continue to invest in protecting Maine’s coastal waters and tackling the $135 million in wastewater maintenance needs.
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