‘Resolve, To Authorize the State To Acquire a Landfill in the Town of East Millinocket’

‘Emergency preamble. Whereas,  acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and

Whereas,  the owner of pulp and paper mills in the Town of Millinocket and the Town of East Millinocket has announced the closure of the mills after failing to find buyers for them; and

Whereas,  this closure would have an immediate negative effect on the economy in the Town of Millinocket, the Town of East Millinocket and the surrounding area, including the loss of approximately 400 jobs; and

Whereas,  the ability of the State to enter into negotiations for acquiring the existing solid waste disposal facility on the East Millinocket mill property will help the effort to sell and reopen the mills, retain the jobs and reverse the potential negative economic effect of the mills' closure; and

Whereas,  the acquisition of real estate associated with the solid waste disposal facility by donation will not involve the purchase or sale of real estate within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine; and

Whereas,  in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore, be it

‘The office may only acquire real estate associated with the disposal facility by donation and may establish the terms and conditions of acquisition by donation and execute and deliver, in the name of and on behalf of the State, all contracts the office determines are necessary or appropriate to effect the acquisition and operation of the disposal facility. Such a donation is conditioned upon the execution of an agreement by a buyer for the acquisition of the pulp and paper mills in the Town of Millinocket and the Town of East Millinocket; the office's endeavoring to identify and implement measures to mitigate the State's closure costs, including the consideration of cost caps on the closure costs, including the consideration of cost caps on the closure of the Dolby Landfill; and the office's having received from the buyer an acceptable business plan, including employment projections. The office shall undertake all actions the office determines necessary or appropriate to fully perform all obligations established under the contracts.

‘Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.