Opinion: Five big wins for wildlife in Maine’s 2026 legislative session

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • May 30, 2026

The second session of the 132nd Maine Legislature wrapped up recently. Here are five important wins for Maine wildlife this session. ~ Ches Gundrum, Maine Audubon
• Dark sky protection: LD 1934 will require that new or replacement lighting installed using public funds or on public property meets standards that prevent light pollution.
• Protecting shorelines: LD 1904 will help municipalities hold shoreland zoning violators accountable.
• Plug-in solar: LD 1730 allows more Mainers to tap into an affordable renewable energy source by increasing access to plug-in or “balcony” solar.
• Improving the LUPC: LD 870adds two new seats to the Maine’s Land Use Planning Commission: one member representing the Wabanaki Nations and another with explicit natural resource-based expertise.
• Battery waste:LD 474 and LD 1519, that require companies that produce certain batteries or electronic smoking devices to take responsibility for their product waste through state-approved stewardship programs.