MAINE PUBLIC • January 7, 2021
Maine’s Board of Environmental Protection voted on Thursday to add environmental justice as a standard that must be considered when reviewing proposed new or expanded solid waste facilities in the state. The language was proposed by environmental and tribal watchdog groups. Opponents representing industry players like Casella Waste Systems and ReEnergy Holdings called the standard too vague. The advocates say the measure is only a partial success, however, because the board turned down a linked proposal that aimed to eliminate the hundreds of thousands of tons of waste Massachusetts sends to Maine. Many board members say they object to continued acceptance of that waste, but the Legislature has tied their hands.