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Climate-driven storms are causing millions of dollars in damage in our state. Maine taxpayers, you and I, have to pay for these repairs. Meanwhile, the oil oligarchs are getting incredibly rich, selling their oil, which is making our weather get more dangerous. They’re also paying our politicians to give them tax breaks and to stop federal support for their competition, renewable energy, which would ultimately be cheaper for us to buy. This isn’t fair to us!
I believe a “make polluters pay” bill, LD 1870, is the most important bill in the Legislature this session that would begin to protect us. LD 1870 would fund a study of exactly how much money climate change is costing Maine taxpayers. We would then be able to require the biggest oil profiteers to refund this amount to our state and municipalities.
I believe this is fair. The fossil fuel industry gets our money one time when we buy oil and gas. We shouldn’t have to pay a second time to clean up their mess. Tell your representative how you want them to vote on this.
Richard Thomas
Waterville