Eat the potato

A recent decision by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to exclude white potatoes from a program designed to help pregnant, low-income mothers buy food to feed their children has members of Maine’s congressional delegation upset.

U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud, a Democrat representing Maine’s 2^nd District, said in a recent column that the decision needs to be reversed.

“This needs to be fixed not only because it’s the right thing to do, but also because it would promote an industry and crop that is very important to Maine’s economy,” he wrote. “White potatoes were excluded largely because the USDA determined most people already eat enough of the vegetable. Neither nutritional science, common sense or good public policy supports this decision.”

During the public comment period before the change, Michaud and Maine Republican Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins all wrote letters to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack. The period has closed, but Michaud encouraged Mainers to send him letters asking for a rule change.

“While nothing is guaranteed, if we produce a show of force to USDA we stand a better chance of reversing this deficient new rule,” he wrote.

EPA exemption for contractors

U.S. Sen. Susan Collins announced that contractors will have more time to comply with a new Environmental Protection Agency rule that requires contractors to receive mandated training concerning lead paint abatement or face heavy fines.

The rule went into effect in late April and required contractors working in homes built before 1978 to be EPA certified or face fines up to $37,500 per day, according to a release. But in most states, there are not enough certified trainers to educate contractors about the new requirements. In Maine, there are just three such trainers in the entire state, according to Collins’ office.

“There is no question that we must continue our efforts to rid lead-based paint from our homes,” Collins said in a statement. “I appreciate that the EPA recognizes that it must boost the number of certified trainers in each state and that small contractors need more time to comply with EPA’s rule.”

Last Friday, the EPA announced it was extending the deadline for renovators to enroll in training classes to Sept. 30 and for contractors to Dec. 31, according to a release. The agency has also agreed to provide additional trainers.