Maine Aggregate Association

To read an informative blog post from a sister aggregate association in Oregon on preparing for a MSHA inspection, click on the following link: http://lrmincmsha.blogspot.com/

LD 891 "An Act To Amend the Site Location of Development Laws To
Include Consideration of Greenhouse Gas Emissions"
Maine Aggregate Association supports efforts to encourage Energy Efficient Development, but is opposed to LD 891.
Two amended versions have been offered: one from Natural Resource Committee Senate Chair Seth Goodall and one from the DEP. MAA opposes both amendments.
As an alternative, MAA is proposing a different approach and instead require the DEP to:
• Monitor existing program effectiveness. Maine has recently adopted several new programs aimed at reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, the new Maine Uniform Building and Energy Standards go into effect in July 2010. The DEP should establish a registry of these programs, including any federal or regional initiatives, create a baseline and monitoring the effectiveness of these programs.

All members are encouraged to come to the annual meeting. We will review legislative bills that effect our industry, hear about DEP's thoughts and concerns as well as have some fun with colleagues.

The 2010 Transportation Appropriations bill has passed in Congress and has been signed into law by President Obama, increasing the interstate truck weight limits from 80,000 lbs. to 100,000 lbs., north of Augusta. This is a one year pilot project, and will be reviewed by a congressional committee in 2011 to review its merits and effectiveness.

Similar changes have been made in Vermont.

To eliminate any legal barriers in Maine, Governor Baldacci has also issued and emergency proclamation that immediately allows for 100,000 lbs. on Maine’s interstate system for 6-axle combination vehicles. For this one year pilot project, all 6-axle combination vehicles, registered for 100,000 lbs., consisting of a 3 axle truck tractor and a tri-axle semi trailer are afforded all of the same limits as they would normally receive on regular Maine roads. This pilot project does not apply to any other trucking configurations. You can view the Governor’s emergency proclamation by clicking here.