BANGOR DAILY NEWS • August 4, 2025
These are challenging times for conservationists who are dealing with a federal government and Congress emboldened to weaken federal environmental laws and slash funding and staffing at natural resource agencies. Thankfully, there remains a strong will to protect Maine’s environment in our state legislature. LD 497 protected significant vernal pools. LD 1868 moved up the timeline to transition to 100 percent renewable energy by the year 2040. LD 1543 establishd the Maine Green Schools Network to help promote environmental, outdoor and climate learning programs. LD 56 and LD 69 would have weakened or eliminated Maine’s single-use plastic bag ban, but failed to pass. LD 1340 created a Municipal Stream Crossing Fund. There are many more wins to celebrate — including funding for the Lake Water Quality Restoration and Protection Fund; establishing a Department of Energy Resources; and requiring a state study of the impacts of neonicotinoids on people and pollinators in Maine. ~ Ches Gundrum, Maine Audubon