Maine Aggregate Association

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.
• Create a Maine Green development standard. The DEP, in consultation with with interested parties, should establish best development practices and performance standards that encourage developments that employ available technologies to achieve energy efficiency and less reliance on fossil fuels.
• Encourage energy efficient development practices that do not result in unreasonable use of or continued reliance on fossil fuels. The DEP should explore voluntary mechanisms to encourage efficient development including, but not limited to, expedited review under the Site Law. The best development practices should consider existing programs such as the Maine Uniform Building and Energy Standards, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and Energy Star.