The committees have almost completely finished their work and there has been a major shift to monitoring the debate on the floor of the two chambers and to catching legislators in the halls to discuss pending legislation that is important to our industry. There were several important outcomes this week for our members, but there are still challenges to overcome before statutory adjournment on April 15.
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One of the committees that continues to run to almost the end of the process is the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee which is considering the Governor’s supplemental budget, funding for any bills with fiscal notes and bond proposals. One of the bonds that is still pending consideration is LD 798, “An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue to Fund Mass Timber Manufacturing.”
This bond remains a high priority for the Council because although Maine has lead the region in adopting tall timber building codes to enable the use of Cross Laminated Timber (CLT), Maine is currently a consumer, not a producer of mass timber. With LD 798, we have the opportunity to change that.
Timing is crucial as New England states compete for investment to invigorate this emerging sector. Maine has lost significant markets over the last decade. New, innovative uses for wood like CLT are key to building a diverse, resilient future. LD 798 is the right tool at the right time if we can garner enough support.
Below is a fact sheet that we distributed yesterday to members of the Appropriations.
Please reach out now to inform them of the importance of new, value-added markets in the Maine forest product economy. Ask them to support LD 798!
Also this week, on Monday, Governor Mills signed into law LD 2144, “Resolve, To Establish The Working Group To Prioritize Wellness And Mental Health Resources For Heritage Industries.” This law will create a working group to consider ways to improve mental health and overall wellness for several heritage industries, including logging. Though the forestry industry as a whole was not included, the law does highlight the need for those working in isolated and stressful professions to have a care for their wellbeing in mind and body.
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On Tuesday, the Environment and Natural Resources Committee voted “Ought to Pass as Amended” on LD 2070, “An Act To Prohibit Landfill Expansion Into Wetlands.” The original bill was extremely broad, it would have placed a complete prohibition on the expansion of any landfill, including industrial landfills that are privately owned, in any way that could alter a wetland regardless of DEP permitting assessments. The bill was amended and the bill title changed to “An Act to Improve the Management of Landfill Leachate and Wastewater Treatment Plant Sludge at Solid Waste Landfills.” The bill now focuses on requiring licenses for those facilities dealing with PFAS contaminated sludge.
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This week both chambers also considered LD 2187, “An Act To Update Certain Water Quality Standards And To Reclassify Certain Waters Of The State.” MFPC testified in support of the bill, as it was printed, and we have followed this legislation closely as it progresses through the process. The minority report, had it succeeded, would have upgraded the lower Androscoggin from Class C to B against recommendations from the DEP and BEP and despite the lack of scientific evidence to support such a change.
Reclassification would have carried significant consequences including more stringent permit limits, dam water quality certifications, additional monitoring obligations, and in many cases costly treatment upgrades that may not be feasible. For the pulp and paper mills and other large employers that anchor Maine’s rural economies, such outcomes would have ripple effects well beyond facility operations, jeopardizing jobs, tax revenues, and the economic stability of communities that depend on these facilities. According to the DEP, this stretch of the Androscoggin would fail to meet Class B standards even with zero dischargers.
Fortunately, both chambers adopted the majority OTP report, which appropriately keeps the lower Androscoggin at Class C. This bill has been enacted in the House and it still needs to be finally enacted in the Senate. We are extremely grateful to our members for their engagement, and to the legislators who voted in favor of the majority report.
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Next week we will monitor calendars closely to watch for movement on a number of bills that are important to our industry. Watch your inboxes closely, as we may reach out at any time to ask our members to engage.
As always, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Thank you all for lending your help and expertise so far this session.
Best,
Krysta West and Ellen Parent
MFPC