Rep. Vicki Doudera
An affirmative vote on March 16 from the Maine Legislature’s Environment and Natural Resources Committee has advanced a bill, LD 2018, to implement recommendations regarding the inclusion of equity considerations in regulatory decision making. With her bill, now Public Law 2021, Chapter 279. An Act to Require Consideration by the Public Utilities Commission of Climate Impacts and to Incorporate Equity Considerations into Decision Making by State Agencies, Vicki Doudera (D-Camden), laid the foundation for this legislation.
LD 2018 establishes definitions for “environmental justice” and “front line communities,” and sets methods to incorporate the weighing of equity decisions in deliberations at the state’s Department of Environmental Protection and the Public Utilities Commission. The measure comes from a report written by the Governor’s Office of Policy, Innovation and the Future, based on dozens of conversations about environmental and climate justice in Maine, as well as three public forums that drew participation from people across the state who represented environmental justice; climate action; public health; tribal nations; members of low-income communities; younger and older Mainers and representatives from state and quasi-state agencies.
Doudera stated that the virtual public forums were well-attended and demonstrated how important this work is for a broad cross-section of Maine citizens. For too long, vulnerable voices have been left out of the critical decisions that impact neighborhoods, and it’s time we listen to everyone.
The Camden legislator stated that she was pleased with the progress made in LD 2018. The March 14 public hearing was very positive. Not only does the bill take the important step of defining in statute what we mean when we say, ‘environmental justice’ and ‘front line communities,’ but it will make PUC proceedings more accessible to everyday Mainers. It also requires our DEP to adopt rules ensuring that folks in impacted communities are provided with fair and equitable access to the department’s decision-making processes.
Doudera said that it was particularly rewarding to work closely with people in her district on the bill. Jessica Scott, a Camden resident who is also senior climate advisor at GOPIF, did a remarkable job. She managed the forums and wrote the 24-page document. Acadia Center, which is based in Rockport reached out to me with the original idea for the bill in late 2020. Dan Sosland and Jeff Marks worked with me and other environmental groups in order to get it passed.
Doudera noted that LD 2018 faces further votes in the Legislature before going to Governor Mills’ desk.
I’m very grateful for all of the support this work has received and hope it continues going forward, she said. No matter what happens, I’m happy that I stepped up to sponsor the legislation and put in the time necessary to get this far, because the path has led to some amazing conversations and outcomes, and it is important, gratifying work.
Doudera (D. Camden), is currently serving her second term in Maine’s Legislature. She represents the towns of Camden and Islesboro. She is a member and chair of the Environment and Natural Resources Committee. You can reach her [email protected].
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