Maine State Legislator Boyd Marley of Portland, Maine is pleased to announce that LD 393, "An Act Authorizing the Operation of Low Speed Vehicles on Certain Roads," was recently signed into law by Governor John E. Baldacci.

The new law is being hailed statewide. As Naoto Inoue, the president and CEO of Talmage Solar Engineering, Inc. /Solar Market in Arundel noted in his written testimony, "this bill makes Maine a leader in clean and alternative transportation." The legislation allows the registration and use of low-speed vehicles on roads with speeds up to 35 miles per hour.

The development of Low-Speed Vehicles (LSV) arose out of the need for an alternative approach to transportation that would fit a variety of environments: urban to village settings. Since these vehicles are powered solely by electricity, they produce no air pollution from
exhaust fumes and no toxic runoff from dripping oil and gas.

Environmental Coordinator at Bates College Jason Wentworth testified that,"low speed vehicles could offer the College a great way to reduce auto emissions. These vehicles could also help reduce the impact on our grounds by substituting LSVs for full size vehicles. "

Others who testified also noted that "while a campus setting was ideal for these vehicles there are many other appropriate uses across the state." Low-Speed Vehicles are perfect to reduce congestion and pollution around our parks and communities, could be rented by cruise ship or train passengers or simply for personal use by residents. Several coastal communities are inquiring about the use of
low-speed vehicles in their more congested areas for municipal purposes.

Low-Speed Vehicles are legal for use in 38 states and have been on the market in many areas in the United States for more than 5 years. As Rep. Marley noted, "this is a wonderful opportunity for our state to spark economic development while also addressing our state's air quality
issues. I am very proud of this legislation and the diversity of groups who supported it."

Numerous studies have found that 75% of all vehicle miles traveled in the United states are for short trips made by one person. These short automobile trips are the worst for your car and are also the most damaging environmentally.

"Maine's environment, economy and our citizens' health all come up as winners with the passage of LD 393 legalizing no-emissions, low-speed neighborhood vehicles for use in
Maine communities. These clean transportation alternatives can be a boon to the tourist industry and relieve traffic and parking congestion, particularly in coastal communities where few or no public transportation choices exist. With virtually no harmful emissions, the vehicles can be part of a solution to improve Maine's air quality, reduce our contribution to global climate change, and protect Mainers' respiratory health," noted Anne D. Burt, Environmental Justice Program Director for the Maine Council of Churches.

A study by the Department of Energy of 15 automotive fleets that operate low-speed vehicles found major benefits for a bill such as LD 393. The fifteen fleets operated a
total of 350 vehicles in a variety of settings.

The fleets ranged in size from two to eighty-two LSVs. The average size fleet had ten vehicles. These 350 LSVs were driven over 1.2 million miles per year for an average of 3,400 miles annually or nine miles per day.

Most striking were the 775 pounds of smog-forming emissions avoid from the use of these LSV vehicles.

Organizations, businesses and individuals, who often find themselves on different sides of an issue in Augusta, came together to work on this bill that we all believe will
benefit Maine people... our environment, economy, and health. Among the individuals and groups that worked
together and testified on the bill are:

Maine Council of Churches, Natural Resources Council of Maine, Maine Auto Dealers Assn., Jolly John's Auto City, Newcastle Chrysler, satisfied owners of LSVs on the islands, and a young businessman who wants to set up a franchise with these clean vehicles in Old Orchard Beach.

Low-Speed Vehicles, such as Daimler-Chrysler's GEM (Global Electric Motorcar), have become increasingly popular since the National Highway Transportation Safety
Administration recognized and adopted a rule delineating some uniform safety equipment requirements in 1998.