Governor Janet Mills announced today that she has vetoed LD 822, An Act to Prohibit the Sale of Motor Fuel Containing More Than 10 Percent Ethanol. The bill would prohibit the sale of motor fuel products in Maine that contain ethanol greater than 10 percent unless the sale of such fuel is in a sealed container that contains one quart or less of the motor fuel. It also repeals a contingent prohibition on the sale of motor fuel containing more than 10 percent ethanol by volume.
In vetoing the legislation, Governor Mills noted that “E15 is not currently sold in Maine, and, as of now, there is insufficient scientific evidence or data to support the claim that it adversely impacts health.” A 2017 study (PDF) conducted jointly by the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Environmental Protection concluded that “there does not appear to be any significant health impacts from the widespread use of E10 gasoline. The potential health impacts of fuel with much higher blends of ethanol have been less well studied.”
“Without sufficient study, and given this fuel is not currently sold in Maine, I am not prepared for the state to declare a ban,” wrote Governor Mills in her veto message.“However, if new and reputable scientific evidence emerges that higher levels of ethanol in fuel do in fact adversely impact health, I will be happy to revisit and reconsider this legislation. For these reasons, I return LD 822 unsigned and vetoed.”
Although gasoline containing 10 percent ethanol, or E10, is the most common type of motor vehicle fuel under the Renewable Fuel Standard, the federal EPA also allows the use of motor fuel containing up to 15 percent ethanol in 2001 model year and newer passenger and flex-fuel vehicles. The use of E15 is prohibited in older light-duty motor vehicles, and all heavy-duty gasoline vehicles and engines, motorcycles and gasoline-powered equipment such as lawn and garden equipment and boats.
LD 822 is Governor Mills’ first veto. To date, Governor Mills has signed 102 bills into law.
A complete copy of Governor Mills’ veto message is attached (PDF). Additionally, Governor Mills has signed the following bills into law:
- LD 139 An Act to Address the Unmet Workforce Needs of Employers and To Improve the Economic Future of Workers
- LD 199 An Act to Create the Water Resources Planning Committee
- LD 340 An Act to Clarify the Temporary Medical Allowance Relating to Lobster and Crab Fishing Licenses
- LD 398 An Act to Allow for Greater Flexibility in Addressing Energy Efficiency Needs in the State
- LD 406 An Act to Establish Regional School Leadership Academies
- LD 528 An Act To Increase the Number of Clubs in Penobscot County that may be Issued A Special Dog Training Area License
- LD 807 An Act Regarding the Duties of the Public Advocate
- LD 817 An Act to Advance the Restoration of the Penobscot River
- LD 939 An Act Regarding the Regulation of Rabbit Production for Local Consumption
- LD 1078 An Act Regarding the Number of Agency Liquor Store Licenses Permitted in a Municipality
- LD 196 Resolve, Regarding Legislative Review of Portions of Chapter 320: Electric Transmission and Distribution Utility Service Standards, a Major Substantive Rule of the Public Utilities Commission (EMERGENCY)
- LD 282 Resolve, Regarding Legislative Review of Portions of Chapter 101: MaineCare Benefits Manual, Chapter III, Section 21: Allowances for Home and Community benefits for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities or Autism Spectrum Disorder, a Major Substantive Rule of the Department of Health and Human Services (EMERGENCY)
- LD 383 Resolve, Regarding Legislative Review of Portions of Chapter 101: ConnectME Authority, a Major Substantive Rule of the ConnectMe Authority
- LD 687 Resolve, To Create a Flag to Recognize the Bicentennial of the State
- LD 623 An Act to Amend the Charter of the City of Brewer High School District(EMERGENCY)