Just as opponents were gearing up to debate the governor’s ambitious package of regulatory reforms last week, some of the worst of them were abruptly taken off the table.

Gov. Paul LePage said he harbors no doubts. His broad effort to repeal or revise laws protecting the environment and public health will be preserved in individual bills. In the face of broad and energized opposition, it’s simply a tactical retreat.

As an admiring newspaper editorial put it: “Dealing with these controversial topics one at a time may look like a slower process than what LePage initially had in mind, but it has a better chance of being successful in the end.”

This kind of success Maine can do without.

One of the plans temporarily on the shelf is the repeal of rules phasing out the use of a potentially dangerous chemical ”“ bisphenol-A ”“ in baby bottles and other reusable containers. Legislators should use this delay to review the documented risks posed by BPA. This chemical can leach from polycarbonate plastics and studies have implicated it in various disorders, including cancer.

Also in jeopardy are Maine’s recycling requirements for electronics manufacturers. The e-waste law enacted last year is keeping millions of pounds of lead, mercury and other toxic chemicals out of landfills each year. Repealing the law would hurt the environment and cost Maine jobs.

A plan to open up Maine’s Unorganized Territory for development has also been deferred, but LePage is forging ahead with plans to rein in the Department of Environmental Protection. If successful, Maine’s ability to protect vernal pools, sand dunes and clean air will be considerably diminished.

Last week, a group of business men and women appealed to legislators for an alternative approach to regulatory reform. Their five points emphasize the importance of both a strong economy and a healthy environment. We hope the legislature gives a lot of weight to their bottom line: “Proposals must ensure continued protection of Maine’s air, water, land, wildlife, and the good health of Maine people.”

Questions? Comments? Contact Managing Editor Nick Cowenhoven at nickc@journaltribune.com.