2011-12 Public Policy Priorities

For questions on current legislation, contact Edward Miller, Senior Vice President, Health Promotion and Public Policy for the American Lung Association of the Northeast. 

Protecting the Clean Air Act - Maine's Critical Role

Maine people are under siege.  We are being barraged by pollution from outside our borders.  This pollution is arriving from the factories, power plants, trucks and cars in the Midwest and south of us.  It’s air pollution and it poses a serious health threat to Maine people, especially children, seniors, and people with asthma, lung disease, and heart disease.

If this pollution was coming into Maine in trucks or on ships, I can assure you there would be outrage.  We would be barricading our borders and holding the sources responsible for the clean-up.  But what we’re facing instead is an invisible menace. According to a recent Lung Association report, too many Maine people live in counties with unhealthy air.  Yet Congress is considering dismantling, rather than strengthening, our air quality standards.  This makes no sense and is simply unacceptable.

Maine, more than any other state, needs strong laws at the federal level to reduce the pollution that is rolling in to Maine – all without our consent or control. The Federal Clean Air Act is that law and has been for over 40 years.

Fighting for a strong Clean Air Act is a Maine tradition: the 1970 revisions to this landmark legislation are commonly called The Muskie Act because of the leading role Senator Edmund Muskie played in their creation. In 1990 Maine Senators George Mitchell and William Cohen spearheaded the revisions and reauthorization of this important law. But it is now facing the biggest threat in Congress since its implementation. There are those who want to weaken this law and its ability to protect us from unhealthy air pollution.

Senators Snowe and Collins have figured prominently in these debates and their support is essential to protecting Maine’s air quality.  The Maine Healthy Air Coalition is a group of 33 health care and public health organizations from every corner of the state.  We are committed to bringing healthy air and better health to Maine families and businesses.  We are asking Senators Snowe and Collins to defend the federal Clean Air Act, ensure the EPA’s ability to enforce it, and protect all Americans from toxic air pollution.

We need your help to be successful.  Click here to send a postcard (read card) to Senators Snowe and Collins and receive regular updates and action alerts from the Maine Healthy Air Coalition.

The Clean Air Act is part of Maine’s heritage and the key to our future.  Healthy air means children can live longer, healthier lives; it means more opportunities for small business innovation and job creation; and it will result in lower health costs for families and businesses all across Maine.

Thank you for helping us fight for healthy air!

Media

• June 28, 2011 -- Brunswick Times Record editorial, "What About the High Cost of Unhealthy Air?" 

• June 21, 2011 -- Maine Health Organizations Join Forces to Defend the Clean Air Act. Read the press release. Dr. Norma Dreyfus, a pediatrician and adolescent medicine physician from Lincoln County, spoke on behalf of the Maine Medical Association. Peter M. Iwanowicz, Assistant Vice President for the American Lung Association said, "We are fighting to ensure that the US Environmental Protection Agency can update clean air standards. We are fighting for air." Watch the press event. Ed Miller, Senior Vice President, Health Promotion, Public Policy the American Lung Association of New England, opening remarks. Peter Iwanowicz stands firm to defend the Clean Air Act. Remarks. Dr. Norma Dreyfus calls to health professionals and organizations to join her in the Healthy Air Coalition. Ed Miller closing remarks.

• March 11, 2011 -- Ed Miller emcee's a press event at the State House Hall of Flags, supporting the Fund for a Healthy Maine. Read Ed's remarks. 

• November 10, 2011 -- The Senate voted on proposed bill, S.J. Resolution 27, introduced by Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY). The bill was aimed at blocking the implementation of the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a regulation that would stop life-threatening air pollution from drifting across state lines. Fortunately, the Senate voted against the proposed legislation 41-56, with all New England Senators voting no. The American Lung Association in Maine released a statement in response to the Senators’ support.

• December 21, 2011 -- The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced new rules to control mercury and other toxic pollutants from coal-fired power plants. Read a statement from American Lung Association in Maine board member and certified health professional, Dr. Andrew Filderman.

Current Bills

Additional bills will be listed as they are published.

LD1    An Act to Ensure Regulatory Fairness and Reform.  Sponsor, President Raye.  This bill would roll back certain protective public health regulations. We oppose sections of this bill. Testimony. 

LD43   An Act to Repeal the Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code. Sponsor, Rep. Harvell. This bill could remove building codes that could negatively impact public health. We will oppose this bill.

LD121 An Act to Amend the Laws Regarding Public Health Infrastructure. Sponsor, Rep. Soctomah. This bill would include the Tribal Health District within Maine's public health infrastructure. We support this bill. Testimony.

LD216 Resolve, to Prohibit Smokers from Receiving MaineCare Benefits. Sponsor, Sen. Saviello. This bill would prohibit MaineCare recipients who smoke from access to health care. Best practice in public health shows that removing barriers to tobacco treatment, improves quit rates and reduces hospitalizations. We opposed this bill as written, but supported a friendly amendment introduced by Sen. Saviello that would encourage access to tobacco treatment. Testimony.

LD477 An Act to Reduce Noise Pollution by Requiring Mufflers on Motorcycles. Sponsor, Rep. Russell. This bill would require mufflers and reduce noise pollution. The same technology would help reduce air pollution as well. We provided testimony supporting this bill.

LD481 An Act to Make the Cashier or Clerk Who Sells Alcoholic Beverages or Tobacco to an Underage Person Responsible for Paying the Fine. Sponsor, Rep. Ayotte. This bill removes the responsibility of illegal sales to minors from the store owner to the clerk, thereby removing all incentive for owners not to sell. In collaboration with the Maine Public Health Association, we opposed this bill. Testimony.

LD536 An Act to Help Deter Youth Smoking and to Help Smokers Quit. Sponsor, Rep. Flemings. This bill would increase the tobacco excise tax by $1.50. We support this bill. Testimony.

LD547 Resolve, Directing the Maine Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to Conduct a Review of Public Health Nuisance Laws. Sponsor, Rep. Berry. This bill would require the Maine CDC to review the effectiveness of public health nuisance laws. We are the lead organization supporting this bill. Testimony.

LD589 An Act to Increase the Legal Age to Purchase Use or Sell Tobacco Products. Sponsor, Rep. Fossel. This bill would increase the legal age of tobacco sales to 21 years of age. We provided testimony supporting this bill.

LD673 An Act to Expand Fiscally Responsible Transportation Through Increased ZOOM Bus Service. Sponsor, Rep. Moulton. This bill would increase the successful ZOOM bus commuter services and reduce air pollution. We provided testimony supporting this bill.

LD971 An Act to Improve the Health of Maine Students. Sponsor, Rep. Cornell du Houx. This bill would encourage physical activity during the school day for Maine students. We provided testimony supporting this bill.

LD1067 An Act to Improve Awareness of Smoking Policies in Maine Rental Housing and Condominiums. Sponsor, Rep. Sanborn. This bill would provide potential tenants with the knowledge of the properties smoking policy prior to renting. We support this bill. Document clarifying the intent of LD1067.

LD1280 An Act to Establish a Pilot Physical Education Project in Four Maine Schools. Sponsor, Rep. Rochelo. This bill would create a pilot project in four Maine schools to assess the potential for increasing physical education throughout Maine schools. We provided testimony supporting this bill.

LD1505 An Act to Clarify the Scope of Practice of Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors Regarding Tobacco Use. Sponsor, Rep. Cain. This bill would clarify that treatment for nicotine addiction is within an alcohol and drug counselor's scope of practice but does not require those providing nicotine treatment to be licensed as alcohol and drug counselors. We jointly provided testimony with the American Cancer Society and American Heart Association supporting this bill.

There are several pieces of legislation dealing with wind power. The American Lung Association in Maine provided testimony supporting wind power. 

Maine Smoking Laws - Download.

For questions on current legislation, contact Edward Miller, Senior Vice President, Health Promotion and Public Policy for the American Lung Association of the Northeast.