Environment and Natural Resources Committee adopts LD 2070 with emergency preamble, adds environmental-justice language to BGS study

The Environment and Natural Resources Committee on the floor reviewed language changes to LD 2070 and voted to adopt the amendment with an emergency preamble after agreeing to add environmental-justice language to a Bureau of General Services (BGS) technical study.

The committee considered edits to several sections of the amendment, including striking legislative-intent language related to the Carpenter Ridge site and removing a reference to an interstate exit, and discussed directions for a study in section 7 of the amendment. Committee staff noted a fiscal note showing any additional costs to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) would be minor and could be absorbed within existing resources.

“We are taking first steps at gathering highly technical information about what the state's options are for the next generation of waste disposal in this state,” Anya Trundy, deputy commissioner at the Department of Administrative and Financial Services (which houses BGS), told the committee, saying the solicitation should draw on national experts and look beyond landfilling.

Members pressed whether section 7 would limit input to industry representatives. Rep. Lori Ocher raised concerns that the language as written could result in information-gathering that relied primarily on waste-industry contractors and might omit environmental groups, tribal interests and broader public input. Committee staff and Trundy explained the amendment’s language separates the work: section 7 is a technical information-gathering step by BGS, while section 8 requires DEP to conduct a stakeholder process that explicitly “shall solicit input from and invite the participation of waste industry stakeholders and the general public,” with a report to the Legislature in January 2028.

Sen. Denise Tepler asked the panel to include an explicit environmental-justice consideration in the BGS solicitation. Trundy said, “I think it would be fine with us if you add that in as a specification,” and staff said adding wording to section 7 was straightforward.

Melanie Loizom, commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection, answered operational and market questions from members, saying the state does not own the former paper-mill landfill discussed during questions and describing it as part of a municipal waste-management structure. She also cautioned that recycling markets fluctuate but noted Maine’s product-stewardship program for packaging should help market demand for recyclables.

After brief caucusing, Sen. Stacy Brenner moved to reconsider and to report the bill with the amendment and an emergency preamble; Rep. Art Bell seconded. The clerk recorded 10 votes in favor and no opposing votes among members present. Committee staff said absent members have 24 hours to cast their vote; following that window the committee will transmit final language and fiscal information to members by email and make documents available to the public on request.

The committee agreed to release final language for member review by electronic distribution and adjourned to the welcome center to view a Maine Youth Climate Council film and to the scheduled potluck.

What happens next: staff said they will circulate final language and the fiscal note by email, giving members a short window (about 48 hours) for any last review before the bill moves to the floor. The section 7 solicitation language will be updated to include environmental-justice considerations as requested.