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Promoting
Clean Energy
Maine relies on dirty out-of-state energy sources for too much of
our electricity; over 83 percent of Maine's electricity comes from
dirty sources of power like nuclear, fossil fuels, and municipal
solid waste—and a lot of this comes from out-of-state. That means
we’re producing soot, smog and radioactive waste-threatening our
natural heritage and damaging our health at the same time we’re
producing power.
What they’re
not telling you is that Maine could build enough wind farms and
solar installations right here in the state to satisfy all our electricity
needs, getting our fuel for free and cutting smog and soot pollution
by over 10,000 tons. But these new generators need an assured market
to really flourish, so we’re working with Sen. Michael Brennan (D-Portland/
Falmouth) to pass legislation (LD 1065) to require that 10 percent
of our electricity comes from wind, solar, or other clean energy
by 2016. Wind is cost-competitive over the long run with other sources,
and would save consumers money as fossil fuel prices skyrocket and
supplies dwindle. Additionally, clean energy would benefit the economy
with local tax revenue and installation, construction and maintenance
jobs.
Pesticide
information
As Environment Maine continues to get large agribusinesses to
give up the antiquated, inaccurate method of aerial pesticide spraying,
we are also working to give the public the right to know where,
when and in what amounts pesticides are being applied in their communities,
workplaces, parks and favorite open spaces. Under current law, licensed
pesticide applicators have to keep specific records about the pesticides
they spray, but do not have to hand them over to the Board of Pesticide
Control or allow the public to see them. In addition, members of
the public must pay to be warned any time pesticides are being sprayed
in their neighborhood.
To solve this
lack of public disclosure about toxins being dumped into our surroundings,
Environment Maine is working with Rep. John McKane (R-Newcastle)
to pass amended legislation (LD 1256) to allow the public to see
all pesticide records. Already pesticide sprayers and the chemical
industry have expressed stiff opposition, but Mainers continue to
support having the right to know what is in their environment. To
date, pesticide applicators are one of the only industries not required
to report specifics about the toxic pollutants they are using to
a public agency.
Efficiency
saves green
Despite a smaller population and lower density than the rest of
New England, we use the most energy per person. But the state of
Maine has adopted energy efficiency measures in several state-owned
buildings, saving the state $1.4 million over two years.
In order to
protect public health and provide savings to consumers, Environment
Maine is working with Rep. Jane Eberle (D- South Portland/Cape Elizabeth)
to pass legislation (LD 1435) to set baseline efficiency standards
for a number of household and commercial products, such as torchiere
lamps, commercial ice-makers and power adapters. These product efficiency
standards would cut energy use by 164,000 megawatt/hours and consumers’
bills by $16 million in the year 2010, in addition to cleaning 78
tons of smogforming pollution from our air in the year 2020.
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