Whereas, waste oil was lawfully deposited between 1953 and 1981 at 4 locations in Maine, Wells, Plymouth, Casco and Ellsworth; and

Whereas, 3 of these sites are currently under investigation by the Department of Environmental Protection and the Plymouth site is under investigation by the United States Environmental Protection Agency; and

Whereas, each of these sites requires significant cleanup, which will be extremely expensive; and

Whereas, many businesses that contributed waste oil to one or more of the 4 sites are no longer in business and are unable to assist in the cleanup; and

Whereas, the costs of cleanup place an intolerable financial burden on businesses throughout the State that did contribute waste oil to one or more sites and that are current business operations; and

Whereas, the public health, safety and welfare require that the sites be cleaned up expeditiously; and

Whereas, it is in the public interest to ensure the continued financial viability of businesses that contributed waste oil to one or more of the sites; and

Whereas, the Finance Authority of Maine has the means to issue revenue bonds to fund the cost of the cleanup of these 4 sites; and

Whereas, the cost of retiring the bonds must be arranged; and

Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. 5 MRSA §12004-F, sub-§18 is enacted to read:

18.__Waste Motor Expenses Only 10 MRSA__1020

Oil Revenue Board