Notice of Agency Rulemaking Proposal
CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE: Chapter 2: Rules for establishing fees for reporting under the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 and Title 37-B Sec. 801, M.R.S. Chapter 13
BRIEF SUMMARY: The Department is proposing an increase in fees paid by facility owners and operators for registration, inventories and releases of hazardous materials in the state of Maine as reported to the State Emergency Response Commission (SERC) pursuant to the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 and 37-B Sec. 801 M.R.S. Chapter 13. This proposed rule would authorize the Director of Maine Emergency Management Agency, with the advice of the State Emergency Response Commission, to change the current fee amount and fee schedule. The fees set by the Commission have not been changed since they were implemented in 2002. Due to cost of inflation, the Commission struggles to maintain an adequate level of funding for County Emergency Management Agencies, State-funded Hazardous Materials Response Teams and local trainings for first responders. The proposed increase in the current fee schedule would allow the State Emergency Response Commission to fund local first responder trainings, equipment, planning activities and outreach in order to help facilities prepare for and respond to hazardous material incidents. Without the increase in fees, the Commission may have to cut back on funding these critical hazardous materials response teams and first responders, potentially reducing the state’s ability to prepare for and respond to hazardous materials incidents.
Date, Time and Location of Public Hearing: Monday, November 15, 2021 at 2:00 p.m., Maine Department of Labor Training Room, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta, ME
Comment Deadline: November 29, 2021
Contact Person for this filing:
Faith Staples
Maine Emergency Management Agency
72 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0072
maine.serc@maine.gov
T: (207) 624-4400 or (207) 557-3675
F: (207) 287-3178
TTY: (711) Maine Relay