§1316-G. Tire stockpile abatement program
The State shall undertake a program to eliminate tire stockpiles. The program is under the direction of the department with assistance from other agencies including the Department of the Attorney General, the Maine State Police, the Maine National Guard and the Department of Corrections. [PL 2011, c. 655, Pt. GG, §16 (AMD); PL 2011, c. 655, Pt. GG, §70 (AFF).]
1. Tire stockpile abatement. The department shall, as available resources allow:
A. Estimate the number of tires that are stockpiled and that pose a significant risk to the environment or public health; [PL 1995, c. 578, §1 (NEW).]
B. Develop a tire stockpile reduction priority plan based on environmental and public health risks; [PL 1995, c. 578, §1 (NEW).]
C. Seek the cooperation and assistance of private and governmental landowners or tire stockpile operators to reduce the size and number of tire stockpiles; [PL 1995, c. 578, §1 (NEW).]
D. Assist tire stockpile owners and operators willing to cooperate within the law; [PL 1995, c. 578, §1 (NEW).]
E. Utilize enforcement powers unilaterally or in conjunction with the Department of the Attorney General or the Maine State Police or other parties to abate health, safety and environmental risks posed by tire stockpiles when voluntary cooperation is not provided by landowners or operators; [PL 1995, c. 578, §1 (NEW).]
F. Develop or cause to be developed site-specific tire stockpile abatement plans; [PL 1995, c. 578, §1 (NEW).]
G. Give preference in implementing site-specific tire stockpile abatement activities to the processing of tires for removal and beneficial use while mitigating fire risk; [PL 1995, c. 578, §1 (NEW).]
H. Educate the public and encourage use of tires based on consideration of environmental and public health impacts as well as market conditions; and [PL 2007, c. 655, §12 (AMD).]
I. Contract for services to reduce tire stockpiles and abate significant risk to the environment and public health at tire stockpile sites. [PL 2007, c. 655, §13 (AMD).]
J. [PL 2007, c. 655, §14 (RP).]
[PL 2007, c. 655, §§12-14 (AMD).]
2. Market development. The department shall, as available resources allow, assist with market development to encourage the beneficial reuse of whole tires and processed tires inside or outside the State. The department may also make recommendations to the Legislature regarding legislation that would enhance the beneficial reuse of waste tires or processed tires.
[PL 2011, c. 655, Pt. GG, §17 (AMD); PL 2011, c. 655, Pt. GG, §70 (AFF).]
3. Business retention and new technology. The Department of Economic and Community Development, as available resources allow, shall lead a cooperative effort involving the department and the Finance Authority of Maine to identify measures the State can take to provide a favorable environment for the retention of businesses assisting in the processing of waste tires. This cooperative effort must also provide for the introduction of viable new technologies to cost-effectively convert waste tires to commodities that can be utilized for beneficial reuse and for energy production.
[PL 2011, c. 655, Pt. GG, §17 (AMD); PL 2011, c. 655, Pt. GG, §70 (AFF).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 1995, c. 578, §1 (NEW). PL 2007, c. 655, §§12-14 (AMD). PL 2011, c. 655, Pt. GG, §§16, 17 (AMD). PL 2011, c. 655, Pt. GG, §70 (AFF).