Urge your legislators to support LD 2141
The Maine Legislature has an opportunity to protect the water quality of our lakes and the long-term viability of farmland. LD 2141 follows the lead of other states with beverage container redemption programs, where unredeemed bottle deposits are invested in high-priority conservation programs.
The bill will be up for a floor vote and debate any day now. The beverage industry is out in force and lobbying hard against this bill. They are currently allowed to keep unredeemed bottle deposits to offset their own costs. This bill will protect lakes and farms while leaving substantial funds to maintain a robust recycling program – a model that already works well in other states.
Now is the time to contact your State House Representative or Senator. Ask them to support this long-term source of funding to protect our lakes.
View the Lake Protection Coalition’s step-by-step guide on how you can take action today.
What is LD 2141?
LD 2141 is a 2026 Maine legislative proposal that directs $4 million annually from unclaimed beverage container deposits to fund the Lake Water Quality Restoration and Protection Fund ($2 million) and the Maine Working Farmland Access and Protection Program ($2 million). Funding for LD 2141 will come from unredeemed bottle deposits, estimated by the industry to be between $11-16 million each year. The majority of these funds now remain with the bottling industry.
Why LD 2141 Works For Maine Lakes
LD 2141 will provide recurring funding for the DEP Lake Water Quality Protection and Restoration Fund, which could be used to support:
Thank you to all who testified in person, submitted online testimony, and signed the letter we circulated! We have 1,465 signatures, and over 120 people testified in support of LD 2141. Your voices made a difference in getting the bill through the committee. Now we need your help to get the bill over the finish line.
Note: The original language of the bill included funding for the Public Defender’s office. This language was removed in the amended version that passed out of committee.
