Maine groups mobilize to oppose rollback

Environmental groups have wasted no time in organizing to oppose newly elected Maine Governor Paul LePage's proposed rollback of the state's signature environmental programs, including its electronics product stewardship law.

The Maine Environmental Priorities Coalition has released its 2011 agenda, which includes a renewed push to manage hazardous wastes and keep covered electronic items – computers, monitors, televisions, A/V equipment and other consumer electronics – out of state landfills. The MEPC represents 25 groups and boasts 100,000 members.

By most measures, Maine's product stewardship program has been a success. It arguably directly enabled the creation of at least one company (eWaste Recycling of Auburn, Maine), and has saved taxpayers approximately $7 million since 2006. Additionally, participation in the program has grown rapidly. The state recycled 3.2 pounds of covered electronics per capita in 2006, which has since increased to 6.19 pounds per capita in 2009.

Governor LePage, a favorite of local tea party activists and conservative Republicans, targeted the program for repeal as part of his 63-point list of environmental program cuts and repeals. Other targets include rezoning three million acres of wilderness for development and the elimination of the Maine Board of Environmental Protection. Governor LePage has argued environmental and hazardous waste regulations should be brought down to federal minimum standards and that Maine's extended producer responsibility law negatively affects the state's economic attractiveness.

Two dozen states have similar EPR laws, but no other ones are in danger of repeal. Attempts to contact Governor LePage's office were not returned.

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