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March 12, 2010

Maine House passes anti-bug firewood bill

AUGUSTA — Maine lawmakers are on the verge of enacting a law barring importation of firewood from other states.

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The purpose of the bill is to protect Maine's hardwood trees from the spread of the Asian longhorned beetle (pictured) and the emerald ash borer.

U.S. Dept. of Agriculture photo

The House of Representatives on Thursday enacted the bill by a 136-0 vote, so all that remains is a final Senate vote as early as Tuesday before the bill goes to the governor.

The purpose of the bill is to protect Maine's hardwood trees from the spread of the Asian longhorned beetle and the emerald ash borer.

Destruction of trees by those insects has the potential to impact wood-products industries that employ thousands of Mainers.

The bill's sponsor, Democratic Rep. Jeff McCabe of Skowhegan, says the insect problem's been found in neighboring states and across the country.
 

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