An Act to Study a Permitting Process for and Establish a Moratorium on Certain Tall Structures
Maine Legislature, Session 131, LD 1839
Committee: Environment and Natural Resources
Sponsors: MILLIKEN, DANA, GRAMLICH, JAUCH, KESSLER, WARREN

Legislative Document
No. 1839
H.P. 1171
House of Representatives, April 27, 2023
An Act to Study a Permitting Process for and Establish a 
Moratorium on Certain Tall Structures
Reference to the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources suggested and ordered 
printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative MILLIKEN of Blue Hill.
Cosponsored by Representatives: DANA of the Passamaquoddy Tribe, GRAMLICH of Old 
Orchard Beach, JAUCH of Topsham, KESSLER of South Portland, WARREN of 
Scarborough.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  Working group regarding large structures.  The Department of 
Environmental Protection, in conjunction with other state agencies and interested parties 
as determined by the department, shall convene a working group to determine the need for 
a statewide special permitting requirement for large structures over 700 feet in height.  The 
working group shall consider but is not limited to special environmental concerns regarding 
such structures, impact on the surrounding area and natural landscape, impacts on 
surrounding communities and infrastructure, navigation and aerial hazards, impact on 
wildlife, additional safety requirements and decommissioning procedures.  The department 
shall report the findings of the working group, including suggested legislation to carry out 
the working group's recommendations, to the Joint Standing Committee on Environment 
and Natural Resources and the Joint Standing Committee on State and Local Government 
by December 31, 2023.  The Joint Standing Committee on Environment and Natural 
Resources and the Joint Standing Committee on State and Local Government may report 
out legislation to the Second Regular Session of the 131st Legislature concerning the report 
of the working group.
Sec. 2.  Moratorium.  There is a moratorium on the building of structures over 700 
feet in height until October 1, 2024.  This moratorium does not apply to any project carried 
out by a state agency.
SUMMARY
This bill requires the Department of Environmental Protection to convene a working 
group to determine the need for a statewide special permitting requirement for large 
structures over 700 feet in height.  The working group must consider but is not limited to 
special environmental concerns regarding such structures, impact on the surrounding area 
and natural landscape, impacts on surrounding communities and infrastructure, navigation 
and aerial hazards, impact on wildlife, additional safety requirements and decommissioning 
procedures.  The department must report the findings of the working group, including 
suggested legislation to carry out the working group's recommendations, to the Joint 
Standing Committee on Environment and Natural Resources and the Joint Standing 
Committee on State and Local Government by December 31, 2023.  The Joint Standing 
Committee on Environment and Natural Resources and the Joint Standing Committee on 
State and Local Government may report out legislation to the Second Regular Session of 
the 131st Legislature concerning the report of the working group.  The bill also imposes a 
moratorium on the building of structures over 700 feet in height until October 1, 2024.  This 
moratorium does not apply to any project carried out by a state agency.