Maine Environmental Priorities Coalition

Background:
Maine’s Environmental Priorities Coalition is a partnership of 27 environmental, conservation, and public health organizations in Maine representing over 100,000 members. Its goal is to provide lawmakers with a roadmap for protecting Maine people and promoting prosperity for today and future generations.

2009 Common Environmental Agenda

Maine’s precious environment forms the backdrop for who we are and what we value as individuals and as a state. Our jobs, our health, our leisure activities, our community values, and our identity as Maine people all have their roots in our beautiful environment

When we work together to protect our environment, Maine people and Maine businesses can thrive. Our environment is the foundation for our prosperity and our way of life.

Maine lawmakers play an important role in preserving our precious environment so Maine people and Maine’s economy can thrive. With their help we can take important steps in protecting the good health, good jobs, and the quality of life that our environment provides for all of us.

Support for the 2009 Common
Environmental Agenda will:

Protect Maine’s natural legacy.

Increase protections for a number of outstanding waterways in Maine including Alder Stream, the Basin and the Crooked River. Ensure the necessary funding for the Land for Maine’s Future program to continue conserving Maine's working farms, forestlands and rich natural heritage.

Build a cleaner energy future.

Broaden, simplify and streamline Maine’s energy efficiency and weatherization programs. Guide new planning to ensure that new public and private development is as clean and energy-efficient as possible

Prevent exposure to dangerous chemicals.

Protect neighbors and small farmers from the dangers of pesticide spray by establishing a simple, clear and comprehensive notification system. Set a reasonable standard for how much mercury can be contained in light bulbs sold in Maine, and require bulb manufacturers to share in the cost and responsibility for safe collection and recycling

And ensure our current environmental protections are maintained.