Alliance for a Clean and Healthy Maine
February 22, 2006

MAINE'S GOVERNOR BALDACCI ORDERS A NEW POLICY FOR CHEMICALS

[Rachel's introduction: Pressured by a lot of well-organized citizens{1}, Maine's governor, John Baldacci, signed an executive order Feb. 22 committing state government to finding less-harmful alternatives to toxic chemicals for consumer products and services -- a precautionary approach that doesn't even mention precaution. More great work from activists in Maine! And hats off to Governor Baldacci!]

AUGUSTA -- Maine Governor John Baldacci signed an Executive Order Feb. 22 in a Cabinet Room ceremony to promote safer chemicals in consumer products and services.

Governor Baldacci says that the Executive Order commits the Government of the State of Maine to phase out its use of long-lasting toxic chemicals while making information available to the public about safer alternatives to those chemicals.

The Executive Order further looks to the future by spelling out the next steps that Maine will take against chemicals that have already been identified as priorities such as mercury, lead and pesticides.

The Governor also announced the creation of a task force designed to identify safer alternatives to hazardous chemicals{2} and promote the use and development of the alternatives. The task force will be made up of representatives of environmental groups, people from the business and labor communities, members of the University system, state government and the general public.

"We are all at risk -- our children especially -- from hazardous chemicals," Governor Baldacci said. "When there are toxic materials in the house, kids will find them. I am proud that Maine is continuing to be a leader in making this state one of the healthiest states in the nation."

Governor Baldacci worked with the Alliance for a Clean and Healthy Maine{3} on the Executive Order. The Alliance is made up of representatives from The Learning Disabilities Association of Maine{4}; The Maine Labor Group on Health{5}; The Maine Environmental Health Strategy Center{6}; The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association{7}; The Maine People's Alliance{8}; The Maine Public Health Association{9}; Maine Physicians for Social Responsibility{10}; The Natural Resources Council of Maine{11}; and The Toxics Action Center{12}.

Maine DEP secretary David Littell spoke{13} at the signing of the executive order.

Contact: Crystal Canney (207) 287-2531, Dan Cashman (207) 287-2531

{1} http://www.preventharm.org/camp.part.shtml

{2} http://www.maine.gov/tools/whatsnew/index.php?topic=Portal+News&id=13714&v=Article-2004

{3} http://www.preventharm.org/camp.part.shtml

{4} http://www.ldame.org/

{5} http://www.mlgh.org/

{6} http://www.preventharm.org/home.shtml

{7} http://www.mofga.org/index.html

{8} http://www.mainepeoplesalliance.org/

{9} http://www.mcph.org/mpha/MPHAindex.html

{10} http://www.psr.org//home.cfm?id=home

{11} http://www.maineenvironment.org/

{12} http://www.toxicsaction.org/

{13} http://www.precaution.org/lib/06/maine_littell_remarks.060222