AUGUSTA, Maine — Rep. Robert Saucier has introduced a bill to encourage Maine taxpayer-funded institutions to purchase locally sourced wood pellets.
“There are locally owned businesses that are suffering because Maine’s institutions are purchasing wood stove pellets from Canada and out of state. This does not help our local economies grow,” said Saucier, D-Presque Isle. “By supporting the purchase of Maine-made goods, we are supporting our workers. This will benefit our local communities.”
Saucier introduced the legislation in response to a company that contracts with the University of Maine at Fort Kent purchasing Canadian pellets. The university’s two-year fuel contract for a biomass plant shared with the local school district requires two sources of wood pellets. The company says that because Northeast Pellets is the only company in Aroostook County, they purchase Canadian pellets as well.
Saucier says, however, that there are other wood pellet suppliers in Maine and that all taxpayer-funded institutions should be required to buy Maine-made goods if they are available.
“I want to thank Bob Saucier for his initiative and practicality with keeping Maine taxpayers’ money within the state,” said Matt Bell, president and CEO of Northeast Pellets.
“It only makes sense for Maine institutions and agencies to be supporting Maine-made goods and services. Purchasing locally manufactured items creates jobs and spurs economic development. When we outsource our goods, jobs are lost and we run the risk of out-migration. His bill will have a huge effect on Northeast Pellets and the other pellet manufactures in the state that have been losing sales to the importation of Canadian-made pellets.”
This year, Northeast Pellets had to cut their operations from five to three days per week along with hours for their 13 full-time employees.
“Officials at the University of Maine Fort Kent are hereby encouraged to stand by their earlier commitment to the North Woods economy,” said Bill Bell, executive director of the Maine Pellet Fuel Association.
During even-numbered years, the Legislature limits the bills it considers. The Legislative Council, which is made up of each party’s leaders in the Maine House and Senate, decides which bills fit the criteria. The council voted 8-2 to allow Saucier’s bill to move forward.
Saucier serves on the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee and the Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee. He is also House chair of the Maine Citizen Trade Policy Commission. He is in his second term in the Maine House and represents part of Presque Isle.
