Coastal-area legislators are co-sponsoring a bill proposed by the governor, Rep. Boyd Marley, D-Portland, and Sen. Elizabeth Schneider, D-Penobscot County that would allow a 5 percent increase in the amount of weight that loggers and truckers carrying forest products are allowed to carry, in order to consolidate loads and save fuel costs.  The forest products industry – which is a major economic driver for the state - has been hit particularly hard by rising fuel prices, as drivers in the independent trucking network hauling fiber from the woods to processing are unable to pass the cost of higher fuel through because they had signed the contracts previously.

Without the ability to carry more with each load, some truckers are simply losing money by going to work.  "Maine people are feeling the pain this winter with the high cost of fuels and the truckers are taking an especially heavy hit," said Rep. Ed Mazurek, D-Rockland.  "If we can help them by easing the weight restrictions a bit on our major routes then it is something we need to look at."

Current state law sets a weight limit of 100,000 lbs. for 6-axle tractor-trailers operating on Maine roads and bridges. The bill would allow a temporary increase to 105,000 pounds until April 1, as the governor’s office and committee members’ research indicates that Maine’s roads and bridges can tolerate the increase for short durations.

“Our committee has discussed the delicate balance between maintaining our transportation infrastructure and providing critical relief to one of Maine’s most important heritage industries,” said Marley, the bill’s sponsor. “This bill strikes that balance.”

The bill was proposed based in part on the work of a bipartisan group of legislators, including members of the Transportation committee who had been working with Governor Baldacci’s Office and members of the trucking and forest products industry to address the issues the industry has been facing this winter due to record fuel costs.

The legislation, LD 2155, will have a hearing in the Transportation Committee before it makes its way back to both chambers for passage, and Marley – who is also the House Chair of the Committee – said that the Committee will take up the bill as soon as possible. Since the proposal has been designated emergency legislation, it would go into effect immediately after Governor Baldacci signs it into law.