An Act to Advance Greenhouse Gas Removal as an Economic Development Strategy in Maine
Maine Legislature, Session 131, LD 1058
Committee: Environment and Natural Resources
Sponsors: CURRY, ZEIGLER, BEEBE-CENTER, GROHOSKI
Amends: 38 MRSA §579-A

Legislative Document
No. 1058
S.P. 427
In Senate, March 7, 2023
An Act to Advance Greenhouse Gas Removal as an Economic 
Development Strategy in Maine
Reference to the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources suggested and ordered 
printed.
DAREK M. GRANT
Secretary of the Senate
Presented by Senator CURRY of Waldo.
Cosponsored by Representative ZEIGLER of Montville and
Senators: BEEBE-CENTER of Knox, GROHOSKI of Hancock.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  38 MRSA §579-A is enacted to read:
§579-A.  Greenhouse gas removal program
In accordance with the provisions of this section, the department shall develop and, no 
later than May 1, 2024, implement a greenhouse gas removal program, referred to in this 
section as "the program."
1.  Purpose.  The program must be designed to:
A.  Research, develop, assess and deploy methods of removing greenhouse gases 
through the implementation of incentives, collaborations, educational initiatives, rules, 
programs or other activities within the jurisdiction of relevant state agencies, with 
consideration given to similar methods developed or proposed by the United States 
Department of Agriculture, the United States Department of Energy, the United States 
Environmental Protection Agency and other federal agencies and other public or 
private entities;
B.  Develop the scientific methods, technical expertise, public-private partnerships and 
economic development actions that will support the removal of greenhouse gases in 
accordance with paragraph A; and
C.  Identify and secure available federal and other funding to support the removal of 
greenhouse gases in accordance with paragraph A, except that the department may not 
impose any fees or fines on any person to fund the program.
2.  Interagency consultation and coordination.  In developing and implementing the 
program, the department shall consult and coordinate with the Department of Agriculture, 
Conservation and Forestry; the Department of Economic and Community Development; 
the Department of Marine Resources; the Maine Technology Institute as established in 
Title 5, section 12004-G, subsection 33-D; the Governor's Energy Office; and any other 
state agencies or other public or private entities determined by the department to be 
essential to the success of the program.
3.  Contracting.  Subject to the availability of resources and in accordance with 
applicable state procurement laws, the department may contract with public or private 
entities and individuals in developing and implementing the program.
Sec. 2.  Department of Environmental Protection report on funding.  If by 
March 1, 2024 the Department of Environmental Protection has not secured the funding 
necessary to implement the greenhouse gas removal program under the Maine Revised 
Statutes, Title 38, section 579-A by May 1, 2024, the department shall submit a report to 
the Joint Standing Committee on Environment and Natural Resources regarding the status 
of program implementation and the challenges encountered in securing funding for the 
program and identifying alternative funding options for consideration. After reviewing the 
report, the committee may report out legislation relating to the report to the Second Regular 
Session of the 131st Legislature.
SUMMARY
This bill directs the Department of Environmental Protection to develop and, no later 
than May 1, 2024, implement a greenhouse gas removal program.  The program must be 
designed to:
1. Research, develop, assess and deploy methods of removing greenhouse gases 
through the implementation of incentives, collaborations, educational initiatives, rules, 
programs or other activities within the jurisdiction of relevant state agencies, with 
consideration given to similar methods developed or proposed by the United States 
Department of Agriculture, the United States Department of Energy, the United States 
Environmental Protection Agency and other federal agencies and other public or private 
entities;
2. Develop the scientific methods, technical expertise, public-private partnerships and 
economic development actions that will support the removal of greenhouse gases under the 
program; and
3.  Identify and secure available federal and other funding to support the removal of 
greenhouse gases under the program, except that the department may not impose any fees 
or fines on any person to fund the program. If by March 1, 2024 the department has not 
secured the funding necessary to implement the program by May 1, 2024, the department 
is required to submit a report to the Joint Standing Committee on Environment and Natural 
Resources regarding the status of program implementation and the challenges encountered 
in securing funding for the program and identifying alternative funding options for 
consideration. After reviewing the report, the committee may report out legislation relating 
to the report.
In developing and implementing the program, the department is directed to consult and 
coordinate with the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, the Department 
of Economic and Community Development, the Department of Marine Resources, the 
Maine Technology Institute, the Governor's Energy Office and any other state agencies or 
other public or private entities and may contract with public or private entities and 
individuals for those purposes.