Bill calls for transparency in climate policy costs but critics say it ignores price of inaction

MAINE MORNING STAR • February 24, 2025

While there is general agreement around the need to be transparent about how much Maine’s climate policies are costing consumers and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, a Republican proposal to collect such data is being panned as redundant while omitting key details. Sponsored by House Minority Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham (R-Winter Harbor), LD 495, proposes that the Maine Department of Environmental Protection be required to produce two estimates when adopting any new rules designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions: one on the adverse climate effects that would be prevented by reducing emissions and another on associated costs that will fall to consumers.