The Maine legislature could be closer to holding major polluters responsible for the impacts of climate change.
The state House and Senate have approved a bill to study the cost of greenhouse gas emissions to the state.
The bill passed mostly on party lines this week, with Democratic support and Republican opposition, and will require more votes before final approval.
It replaces a proposal that would have established a program to collect fees from groups that produce greenhouse gases.
The amended bill passed by both houses includes a proposal to study the cost of greenhouse gas emissions to the state between 1995 and 2024. A report would be submitted to the state by January 1, 2028.
Supporters of the bill say it’ll allow Maine to assess the true cost of climate pollution, while opponents say it’s unnecessary and is drawing opposition from businesses.
Laws now in place in New York and Vermont that are similar to the original Maine proposal to collect fees from polluters are being challenged in court by the Trump administration and some businesses.
The amended bill passed the Maine House on Tuesday, 75-72, largely along party lines. It passed in the Senate on Monday on party lines 19-13.
