AUGUSTA (AP) — Maine lawmakers have overwhelmingly overridden a veto from the governor to enact restrictive new mining regulations.
Both legislative chambers voted Wednesday to give final passage to the bill that bans larger open pit mines, prohibits underwater storage of mine waste, and requires companies to set aside money to cover the cleanup of environmental contamination. The Senate voted 35-0 and the House 122-21.
When vetoing the bill, Republican Gov. Paul LePage had said the law would cost the state jobs and was based on “fear, not science.”
Democratic state Sen. Brownie Carson, who sponsored the bill, said it will prevent contamination of waterways and protect the health of citizens.
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