We stand in solidarity with the Houlton Band of Maliseets, the Penobscot Nation and other intervenors in opposing the proposed metallic mining at Pickett Mountain and protecting the lands and waters for today and future generations. 

We strenuously urge the Land Use Planning Commission, of Maine's Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, to deny Wolfden's current application, and any future applications, to rezone for the purposes of metallic mining.  

Recent years' environmental rollbacks around mining have made the wilderness vulnerable. The proposed mining would harm subsistence hunting, fishing, foraging, and Wabanaki culture. It will irreparably and irrevocably harm the land, the waters that surround it, and life within it, including endangered Atlantic Salmon and Brook Trout. It would prevent a nature resource based economy.

The Environmental Protection Agency calls metallic mining the most polluting industry in North America. Wolfden will be no exception. There has never been a sulfide mine that hasn't contaminated surrounding ground water. Mines from the 70's are still leaching contaminants into the water today. Wolfden and its investors are responsible for mercury contamination and Clean Water Act violations numbering in the thousands, contaminating land and water for present and future generations. 

We know this process leaches mercury and arsenic into the land and water. Further, it would introduce millions of pounds of cyanide into the pristine wilderness near critical waterways and tribal trust lands. 

Should clean-up be required, Wolfden has only committed what amounts to 2% of its anticipated profits to remediation; the company would be then free to walk away after causing irrevocable damage. And there is no amount of money that will undo that.

We should refuse to allow profit-grabbing extractors from desecrating the land. We urge the Land Use Planning Commission to deny Wolfden this application to mine Pickett Mountain.

Based on testimony provided to the Land Use Planning Commission by party spokesperson Kelly Merrill.

The Green Independent Party takes the following positions on referenda questions appearing on the 2023 State of Maine ballot:

Question 1

The Maine Green Independent party strongly opposes question 1, which would limit the ability of government-controlled entities and utilities to borrow money for public projects. Question 1 is a barefaced attempt by CMP’s parent company Avangrid to sabotage Pine Tree Power, the consumer-owned utility that would be created by the adoption of Question 3. We believe that energy infrastructure should be publicly-owned and urge all Mainers to vote no on question 1.

Question 2

The Maine Green Independent party strongly supports question 2, which aims to protect our democracy from foreign interference and corporate influence. We believe that the people of Maine deserve a fair and transparent electoral system, where every voice is heard and every vote counts. Question 2 would prohibit any campaign spending by foreign governments and entities that they own, control, or influence, and would also call on Congress to propose an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would overturn the Citizens United decision and affirm that money is not speech and corporations are not people. We urge all Mainers to vote yes on question 2 and join us in the fight for a more democratic and accountable government.

Question 3

The Maine Green Independent party strongly supports question 3: An Act to Create the Pine Tree Power Company, a Nonprofit, Customer-owned Utility. We believe that this initiative will empower the people of Maine to take control of their energy future, reduce their dependence on fossil fuels, and invest in clean and renewable sources. By creating a nonprofit, customer-owned utility, we can ensure that our electricity rates are fair, transparent, and affordable, and that our grid is reliable, resilient, and secure. We urge all Mainers to vote yes on question 3 and join us in creating a more sustainable and democratic energy system for our state.

Question 4

The Maine Green Independent party strongly supports question 4: An Act Regarding Automotive Right to Repair. This act would ensure that car owners and independent repair shops have access to the same diagnostic and repair information as the manufacturers and dealers. This would promote fair competition, consumer choice, environmental protection, and public safety. We believe that car owners have the right to repair their own vehicles or choose who repairs them, without being restricted by proprietary software or tools. We urge all Maine voters to vote yes on question 4.

Question 6

The Maine Green Independent party endorses question 6, which proposes an amendment to the Constitution of Maine to require all provisions in the Constitution to

be included in the official printing. We believe that this amendment will increase the transparency and accountability of our state government, and will uphold our commitment to respect the sovereignty, treaties and rights of the Wabanaki tribes in Maine. The current practice of omitting some constitutional provisions from the official printing is misleading and inconsistent with the democratic principles of our state. By voting yes on question 6, we can ensure that all Mainers have access to the full text of our Constitution, and that we honor our treaty obligations toward Wabanaki tribes.

Question 8

The Maine Green Independent party strongly supports question 8, which proposes to amend the Constitution of Maine to allow persons under guardianship for mental illness to be electors. We believe that this is a matter of human rights and dignity, and that no one should be denied the right to vote based on their mental health status. The current provision in the Constitution of Maine is outdated, discriminatory and unconstitutional, as the federal court has ruled. We urge all voters to vote yes on question 8 and uphold the principle of equal suffrage for all citizens of Maine.

Statement in Support of The Longest Day of Homelessness event held on June 21st at Tommy’s Park in Portland June 14th, 2023

The Maine Green Independent Party is proud to support "The Longest Day of Homelessness" event that Homeless Voices for Justice hosts each year on (or close to) the summer solstice. The event will take place on Wednesday, June 21st at Tommy's Park in Portland between 10:00am and 3:00pm with speeches from community members at around 12:00pm.

The Longest Day of Homelessness event seeks to bring together the community to acknowledge the dangers of homelessness regardless of the time of year. While exposure to the elements feels clearly dangerous during a brutal Maine winter, the dangers of unsheltered living throughout the rest of the year are frequently overlooked. This event is a community-oriented collaboration.

The MGIP invites you to join us at The Longest Day of Homelessness event and learn more about our vision for a more humane and sustainable society. Together, we can make a difference for those who are most vulnerable and marginalized in our state

Sincerely,

Lyn Maravell, MGIP Co-Chair

Fred McCann, MGIP Co-Chair

https://cumberlandcountygreens.org/event/the-longest-day-of-homelessness/