Governor Paul LePage Defends Maine State Anti-Smog Regulations

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine Gov. Paul LePage says the state's proposal to opt out of some anti-smog regulations is a common sense reform that will improve the state's ability to attract business.

In a letter to House Speaker Mark Eves of North Berwick and Senate President Justin Alfond of Portland on Wednesday, LePage said the administration will continue to protect Maine's environment and grow the economy.

It is a response to a letter Eves and Alfond sent LePage on Tuesday. Eves and Alfond said they were concerned about Maine's environmental department's proposal to allow new or newly-upgraded industrial polluters to be exempt from federal Clean Air Act measures designed to reduce ground-level ozone.

LePage says similar changes to the state's anti-smog regulations were undertaken by former Govs. Angus King and John Baldacci.