Leaders in Action

Senator Positions Maine as Model for Environmentally Sound Practices

When Maine approved the Clean Government Initiative, Senator Sharon Treat (Flemming Fellow ’94) earned the distinction of legislating the first-ever environmentally sustainable practices for state government – something the business community could smile about. Like many other states, Maine had environmental regulations for the private sector, but lacked clear environmental mandates for its own agencies.

Her unprecedented legislation requires state agencies to meet environmental compliance standards – incorporating measures such as recycling, environmentally responsible purchasing, alternative transportation, energy efficiency, the purchase of fuel-efficient vehicles, and proper fleet maintenance and plans to reduce waste, pesticide use, and toxic levels – into all state government functions.

To build support for the Initiative, Treat emphasized how important it is for the state to be a leader in environmental compliance and a model for other "green" practices. "As one of the largest employers in the state, the government should set examples for the private sector through these newly-mandated practices. Its large purchasing power can create new and improved markets for environmentally sound products and services, and that’s an important function of state government," explained Treat.

Treat encourages states to take similar actions during their 2002 legislative sessions, despite shifting priorities, "The environment isn’t going to cease to be important just because of other issues out there," replies Treat in response to the attacks.

Treat, Assistant Senate Democratic Leader, is currently serving her third term in the Maine Senate and previously served three terms in the House of Representatives. In addition to her work on environmental issues, Treat has devoted considerable time in the legislature to welfare issues, programs for displaced workers, and rights of the hearing impaired. An experienced environmental attorney, she is currently the Coordinator of the Environmental Studies Program at Colby College. Treat is a graduate of Georgetown University Law Center and Princeton University.