Bills Would Repeal Maine’s Plastic-Bag Ban
The Legislature passed a law two years ago to ban the use of those bags, in order to protect the environment and reduce roadside litter, Maine became one of the first states in the country to do this. That law was supposed to take effect in April 2020, but was delayed...
Opportunity for Comment
Clean Water State Revolving Fund Federal Fiscal Year 2020 Draft Amended Intended Use Plan Comment deadline: February 26, 2021 In compliance with the requirement in the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, Section 606(c) to provide for public review and comment, the...
OSHA PROPOSES NEW HAZARD COMMUNICATION STANDARD
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has released its new proposed rule to conform its Hazard Communication Standard(HCS) to the United Nations' Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals Revision 7. This rule has been...
Maine’s Gubernatorial Election
The next election for governor in Maine is nearly two years away, but the race is already taking shape as contenders and their supporters begin winding up their campaigns. No one has formally declared their candidacy yet, but speculation of both Democrat Governor...
FMCSA EXTENDS EMERGENCY DECLARATION TO MAY 31
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has extended its Emergency Declaration related to the COVID-19 national emergency through May 31, 2021. Under the Emergency Declaration, motor carriers and drivers providing direct assistance in support of relief...
State of Maine Renewable Energy Goals Market Assessment
The Governor’s Energy Office (GEO) has prepared a ten-year Renewable Energy Goals Market Assessment. This study, as required by statute, provides important information and assesses the renewable energy market and its ability to meet the state’s clean energy...
Governor Mills Continues State of Civil Emergency as Maine Fights COVID-19
On Wednesday, Governor Janet Mills extended the State of Civil Emergency (PDF) through March 18, 2021. The Governor’s decision to extend the emergency is in line with nearly every other state in the nation which have ongoing emergency declarations, according to the...
Governor Mills to Deliver Virtual State of the Budget Address
Governor Janet Mills announced that she will deliver a virtual State of the Budget Address on Tuesday, February 23, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. Governor Mills was invited to deliver her Address (PDF) “in writing accompanied by a video stream to be shared with the Legislature...
Fuel Your Love 2021!
February 12th was the kick-off of our annual “Fuel Your Love” campaign! This is year six and we are proud to report, one of our most successful years! The following MEMA members delivered heating fuel, at no cost, to some of their customers Augusta Fuel...
Tax Conformity Update
The $2 Trillion federal CARES Act, passed by Congress in late December included several provisions to lessen the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on employers and businesses. In order for Maine to benefit from this relief, Maine must adjust its tax code to...
Measurement and Control of Emissions from Aboveground Petroleum Storage Tanks Briefing to the Legislature’s ENR Committee
The Environment and Natural Resources Committee met on Wednesday, February 10, 2021 to discuss the potential drafting of legislation to address the monitoring of toxic chemical emission from above ground petroleum storage tanks in South Portland and throughout the...
Mills Administration Proposes PPP Compromise
On Tuesday last week, the Mills Administration offered a solution to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) tax conformity issue that would extend full state tax relief to more than 99 percent of Maine businesses that received PPP. The proposal would match the Federal...