(ORONO) – Democratic gubernatorial candidate Patrick McGowan today formally announced his plans for the Great Maine Forest Initiative. The plan, part of McGowan’s 2020 Vision for Maine’s Economy, was announced at the University of Maine Pulp & Paper Processing Center in Orono.
“Today, Maine has a unique and timely opportunity to maintain public access and recreational opportunities, to sustain environmental values, and to grow our economy,” McGowan said. “We can do this by providing Maine people and industry with low-cost, home grown renewable energy, a stable and sustainable wood supply, and unparalleled recreational opportunities.”
McGowan’s Great Maine Forest Initiative will encourage production of clean renewable energy, such as wind, biomass, and biofuels. The result of the initiative will ensure that domestic manufacturers have cheap, sustainable power to run their plants.
“Many people across the country still see environmental protection and land conservation as anti-business or anti-growth. That’s wrong,” McGowan said. “We in Maine know better. A healthy, sustainable forest is a critical part of Maine’s future prosperity.”
McGowan said that Maine’s two largest economic contributors – tourism and forest products manufacturing – both depend on responsible environmental stewardship. McGowan said that his plan will conserve working forests for wildlife, recreation, and economic development.
“We need to reconnect our land base with our manufacturing facilities,” McGowan said. “We can use government policy to encourage landowners to have long term firm fiber supply and energy contracts with Maine mills. We can turn wood into high value products or critically needed energy right here in Maine.”
The Great Maine Forest Initiative will also implement conservation programs that will make Maine forests green certified, allowing for the production and exportation of value-added green certified lumber, pulp and paper across the country and around the world. McGowan pointed to an Old Town business as an example of a Maine mill that has adjusted to succeed in the current global environment.
“Just up the road, Old Town Fuel & Fiber is now producing bio jet fuel and employing 200 people,” McGowan said. “Those are the green jobs of the future that the Great Maine Forest Initiative is based on.”
McGowan announced the initiative on the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. At the original Earth Day, Maine’s Ed Muskie spoke to more than 50,000 people about his vision for a cleaner, safer world. Former Maine Governor Percival Baxter also pushed for increased conservation of Maine lands during his time in office. During McGowan’s time as Commissioner of the Department of Conservation, he worked to secure Katahdin Lake for Maine people, completing Gov. Baxter’s original vision for Baxter State Park. Buzz Caverly, who worked with McGowan on that project and worked at Baxter State Park for 46 years, including 24 as the director of the park, said that McGowan’s conservation efforts extend beyond his public service.
“Pat has not only demonstrated his ability as a conservationist during his time as a legislator and commissioner, but during his personal time leading tours, taking trips and stressing the importance of the 4,000 acres that comprise Katahdin Lake,” said Caverly, who knew Gov. Baxter as well. “In all of my personal and professional experience with Pat I respect and applaud him for his efforts and consider him a great advocate for the lands and waters of the State of Maine, and I’ve always considered it a privilege to work with him on these projects.”In addition to the Great Maine Forest Initiative, McGowan’s 2020 Vision for Maine’s Economy calls for an added focus on Maine’s natural resources. McGowan’s plan calls for expanding the research, development and commercialization of wood composites and wood byproducts; and promoting sustainable farming, fishing, and aquaculture.
“Our farming, fishing, and aquaculture sectors are the backbone of the Maine economy,” McGowan said. “It is incumbent upon us to invest in them, modernize them, and promote them. We have not given these industries proper attention and it’s time that we do so.”
McGowan’s 2020 Vision for the Maine Economy also calls for increased investments in the future through higher education, workforce development, and the green economy; as well as advanced support for small businesses and the self-employed through increased access to affordable capital and a continued reduction of Maine’s tax burden.
Pat McGowan plans to release further details of his 2020 Vision for Maine’s future in the coming weeks.
For more information on the McGowan for Maine campaign, visit www.mcgowanformaine.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment