BANGOR DAILY NEWS • July 19, 2023
While Maine has joined other states in the past in adopting vehicle emissions standards that originated in California, Gov. Janet Mills said last year she was not in favor of “blindly” following California’s 2035 mandate. Environmentalists are now trying to force the state’s hand through the rulemaking process. The Natural Resources Council of Maine collected the required 150 signatures from registered voters earlier this year to petition the Maine Department of Environmental Protection to adopt California’s zero- and low-emission vehicle regulations. Another California regulation proposed for Maine would aim to encourage the sale of more electric medium- and heavy-duty trucks. Groups opposed to the proposed rules include the Maine Better Transportation Association and Associated General Contractors of Maine. About half of Maine’s greenhouse gas emissions come from the transportation sector.