Letter to the editor: Destroying years of environmental law
Recent legislators have been destroying years of environmental law and putting the interests of corporations above people and a healthy planet. That is why Mike Thibodeau is tied for LAST place of all Senators according to the bipartisan Maine Conservation Voters for his votes in the 127th legislative session.
Here are examples of bills that Mike Thibodeau would NOT support.
LD 750: allows regulated metal mining that would adequately protect clean water and taxpayers from paying the cost of cleanup.
LD 1378: Land for Maine's Future to release voter approved bonds to support conservation of farms, forests, waters, and protected areas.
LD 309: to freeze the passage of any future environmental law or regulation because of potential financial consequences to the state.
LD 1600 National Monument Designation to protect donated lands because of their natural, scientific, or cultural significance.
LD 1649: Solar Power Act to modernize Maine's solar power policy and encourage economic development and create jobs.
LD 1339: Thibodeau introduced a bill to suspend Maine's Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard, the basis for building the state's clean energy economy.
Many times the legislature passed bipartisan environmental bills by wide margins but ended up just a few votes shy of the two-thirds needed to override a governor veto. Intense pressure by Senate President Thibodeau thwarted the will of the majority.
Waldo county voters should elect Jonathan Fulford to the Maine Senate to advocate for Maine's environment and protect the future for all Mainers.
John Krueger lives in Northport