FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 14, 2025
Meeting the Moment: Environmental Priorities Coalition, Lawmakers Announce Priorities for 2025
Bold legislative proposals include making polluters pay, protecting Mainers from skyrocketing utility costs, and preventing future PFAS spills
AUGUSTA, ME – Today, Maine’s Environmental Priorities Coalition (EPC), a partnership of 39 environmental, conservation, climate action, and public health organizations, joined legislative leaders to announce their collective priorities for the 2025 legislative session. Each year, the EPC identifies a unified policy agenda to advance climate action, further environmental justice, protect biodiversity and the environment, and cultivate healthy Maine communities.
“Over the past year, Maine people dealt with costly storm damage, record-breaking extreme weather, and a disastrous chemical spill. Creating a prosperous, healthy, just future for our state demands that we act with vision and urgency,” said Nick Janzen, Partnerships Director at Maine Conservation Alliance and spokesperson for the EPC. “As we see the impacts of climate change and corporate greed intensify, the EPC’s legislative priorities will set up our communities, environment, and working people and families to survive and thrive.”
The 2025 EPC Legislative Priorities & Sponsors:
- Making polluters pay for climate damages – Senator Stacy Brenner
- Preventing future toxic spills of PFAS foam – Rep. Dan Ankeles
- Protecting Mainers from skyrocketing utility costs – Senator Anne Carney
- Reaching 100% clean electricity by 2040 – Senator Mark Lawrence
- Funding the Land for Maine’s Future program – Senator Russell Black
- Addressing stormwater pollution – Rep. Art Bell
- Improving transportation planning – Senator Stacy Brenner
- Modernizing the comprehensive planning process and policies – Rep. Melanie Sachs
- Recognizing Wabanaki self-determination – Senator Rachel Talbot Ross
Rep. Dan Ankeles of Brunswick is sponsoring a bill to prevent future toxic spills of PFAS foam through a collection and disposal system for PFAS foam. “Creating the first statewide take-back program for PFAS foam will ensure that no other community has to experience a spill like the one that happened in my community of Brunswick this past summer,” said Rep. Ankeles. “This program will protect our land and waterways and safeguard the public health of everyone from those who rely on well water to firefighters who deserve to be safe when they do their job.”
The EPC is supporting two measures to address energy costs: Senator Mark Lawrence of York County is sponsoring a bill to achieve 100% clean electricity by 2040, which would lower average household energy costs by about $1,300 per year; and Senator Anne Carney of Cumberland is championing a measure to protect Mainers from skyrocketing utility costs by addressing predatory utility practices, harsh shutoff rules, and climate change, three main drivers of energy costs.
“With rising energy costs and the impact of climate change on our region, transitioning to 100% clean electricity by 2040 is the bold action Maine needs,” said Senator Lawrence. “We’ve already seen the benefits of transitioning to clean electricity through the Renewable Portfolio Standard. My bill will further benefit ratepayers in our state for generations to come.”
“With some of the fastest rising electricity costs in the country, we must do more to lower costs for Maine families and businesses,” said Senator Carney. “This bill will also expand protections against utility disconnection for vulnerable Mainers and address predatory utility company practices.”
Following last winter’s expensive, climate change-driven storms, Senator Stacy Brenner of Cumberland will lead efforts to make polluters pay their share of damages from climate change. “Big oil and gas corporations are contributing significantly to our changing climate without paying for any of the damage they’re causing,” said Senator Brenner. “The crisis response after each devastating weather event cannot be borne by taxpayers alone. It’s time to make polluters pay their share of the destruction.”
While land conservation is one of the most basic steps to fight climate change and the Land for Maine’s Future (LMF) program is effective and popular, LMF has committed nearly all its funding. Senator Russell Black of Franklin is sponsoring a bill to fund the program while securing a long-term, reliable funding mechanism. “We have to act before it’s too late,” said Senator Black. “We want future generations to enjoy the Maine we know now and funding Land for Maine’s Future will help us make that happen. I believe this program works and it is worth taxpayer’s money because having this land available makes the state a better place to live, work and raise a family. The state of Maine taxpayers are getting a good return on their investment.”
Two measures sponsored by Representative Melanie Sachs of Freeport and Senator Stacy Brenner of Cumberland will improve planning processes to meet the needs of climate-impacted communities. Representative Sachs’ measure modernizes Maine’s comprehensive planning process and requirements and Senator Brenner’s bill aligns transportation planning with climate goals. “Municipalities across the state – big and small – rely on comprehensive planning to meet the challenges facing their communities,” said Rep. Sachs. “My bill updates Maine’s decades-old comprehensive planning process so communities can focus on local priorities, conservation, sustainable economic development, and community revitalization.”
“Healthier, climate-friendly transportation solutions are often pushed to the side because of dominant conversation about aging road infrastructure, but I believe we don’t have to choose. We can do two hard things at once by directing the solutions to infrastructure in a way that mitigates climate pollution and creates a more accessible, more affordable, and more equitable system,” said Senator Brenner.”
As stormwater carries toxic pollution into waterways – leading to the closure of more Maine beaches – Representative Art Bell of Yarmouth is sponsoring a measure to build upon the work of the Stormwater Advisory Group to maintain clean water in Maine. “I live on a beautiful coastal island and kayak on Casco Bay and the nearby Royal River. I see the effects of stormwater pollution when the river runs brown and rushes in a plume into Casco Bay and past my island residence, carrying any pollutants and sediments it picks up along the way,” said Rep. Bell. “I love these waters and want them and all Maine waters to be healthy for my family, my constituents, and all Mainers for generations to come. This Resolve will be a practical way to identify next steps Maine can take to address stormwater pollution.”
While the legislature continues to advance recommended changes to the Maine Indian Settlement Claims Act of 1980, the Wabanaki Nations have a different, more restrictive status than all other federally recognized tribes in the US. This has resulted in lagging economic growth for Wabanaki Nations and surrounding rural Maine communities, including thousands of lost jobs, millions of dollars in lost tax revenue, and loss of opportunity for both tribal and non-tribal citizens. Passamaquoddy State Representative Aaron Dana said, “The Wabanaki tribes are asking for the opportunity of self-determination and to be treated the same, with the same benefits of federal Indian laws as every other federally recognized tribe in the country. Recognizing our self-determination is fair and equitable. It not only will benefit tribal communities but will also benefit non-tribal communities and businesses alike.”
Learn more about the EPC’s priority bills on our website.
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Maine Conservation Alliance is building a just, thriving future for all by acting on the climate crisis, protecting the environment, and safeguarding our democracy. We bring people and organizations together to educate, inspire, and advocate.
Maine’s Environmental Priorities Coalition is a partnership of 34 environmental, conservation, and public health organizations representing over 120,000 members who want to protect the good health, good jobs, and quality of life that the environment provides.