News

Maine Legislature Passes Bill to Study Costs of Climate Change

Maine Legislature Passes Bill to Study Costs of Climate Change

Photo: 560 WGAN Newsradio


The Maine legislature could be closer to holding major polluters responsible for the impacts of climate change.

The state House and Senate have approved a bill to study the cost of greenhouse gas emissions to the state.

The bill passed mostly on party lines this week, with Democratic support and Republican opposition, and will require more votes before final approval.

It replaces a proposal that would have established a program to collect fees from groups that produce greenhouse gases.

The amended bill passed by both houses includes a proposal to study the cost of greenhouse gas emissions to the state between 1995 and 2024. A report would be submitted to the state by January 1, 2028.

Supporters of the bill say it’ll allow Maine to assess the true cost of climate pollution, while opponents say it’s unnecessary and is drawing opposition from businesses.

Laws now in place in New York and Vermont that are similar to the original Maine proposal to collect fees from polluters are being challenged in court by the Trump administration and some businesses.

The amended bill passed the Maine House on Tuesday, 75-72, largely along party lines. It passed in the Senate on Monday on party lines 19-13.

Latest Headlines

12 hours ago in Local

South Carolina Man Pleads Guilty to Robbing Westbrook Bank

Jean Pierre Gendron pleaded guilty Monday in U.S. District Court in Portland

13 hours ago in Local

Robbins Lumber Addresses Financial Condition Month After Fire, Explosion at Searsmont Mill

The company also gave an update on three Robbins family members who were severely injured in the fire and explosion.

15 hours ago in Local

Sanford police investigate after man allegedly throws juvenile’s bicycle into pond

Sanford police are releasing new details after video circulated on social media over the weekend that appeared to show a group of teenage boys assaulting a man.

15 hours ago in Local

Group of juveniles accused of breaking into cars, storage units in Somerset County

Six kids are accused of breaking into storage units and cars in Somerset County.

21 hours ago in Entertainment, Trending

Are Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce getting married at Madison Square Garden? What we know

Are Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce really getting married at Madison Square Garden? Frenzied speculation surrounding the superstar singer and football player's upcoming wedding has spiked over the past few days as reports swirl that the two are getting married the first week in July at one of New York's iconic landmarks.