About Environment Maine 

Environment Maine advocates clean air, clean water and open spaces on behalf of 4,000 members statewide. We use independent research and tough-minded advocacy to win real results for our environment—even when powerful interests are standing in the way of progress.

 

Reduce Global Warming              

From the coast to the mountains, global warming is taking its toll on Maine. From rising sea levels to retreating sugar maples to more severe storms, global warming has the potential to drastically alter the face of Maine. Maine has a lot to lose from global warming, but a lot to gain from the solutions. Environment Maine supports:

• Funding the continued operation of the Downeaster train and expanding its operation to Brunswick and Lewiston (LD 2010).

• Require any new, coal-fired facilities to limit global warming pollution (LD 2126).

• Include global warming impacts in assessing transportation, development and other state projects (DOT rule changes).

 

Protect Our Water Resources 

Every waterway in Maine should be protected and restored for future generations. Environment Maine supports legislation that:

• Restores upstream passage for alewives in the St. Croix River (LD 1957).

 

Create New Energy Solutions              

How we use and produce our energy affects our economy, our environment, our health and our pocketbooks. Increasing energy efficiency and shifting to clean, renewable energy are energy solutions that cut our dependence on dirty fossil fuels, put consumers ahead of big energy companies,  and improve public health. Environment Maine supports legislation that:

• Sets energy-saving standards for new buildings, informs prospective buyers about a home’s efficiency and provides tax incentives zero-energy buildings (LD 2179)

• Provides incentives for geothermal heating systems (LD 1942).

• Makes it easier for small clean energy projects on homes and businesses to sell electricity back to the grid (LD 2149).  

 

Protect Children from Toxic Chemicals

Toxic chemicals are all around us, threatening public health and contaminating Maine’s environment and wildlife. Environment Maine supports legislation that:

• Requires safer alternatives to toxic chemicals found in toys and children’s products (LD 2048).

• Protects children from lead exposure and poisoning from toys and paint (LD 2053, LD 2218). 

 

Preserving Maine’s Future

Maine is changing, and if real estate developers and big box store owners have their way, these changes may permanently spoil many of Maine's special fields and forests. Environment Maine supports:

• Boosting downtown revitalization with historic preservation tax credits (LD 262). 

•  Closing a corporate tax loophole by requiring real estate investment trusts be subject to tax (LD 2074).