38 M.R.S. § 412

1. Grants by State for planning. The commissioner is authorized to pay an amount at least 15%, but not to exceed 25%, of the expense incurred by a municipality or quasi-municipal corporation in preliminary or final planning of a pollution abatement program in the form of a grant. The amount may not be paid until the governing body of the municipality or the quasi-municipal corporation duly votes to proceed with preliminary or final planning of a pollution abatement program, as appropriate. A. For the purposes of this section, "preliminary planning" means engineering studies that include analysis of existing pollution problems; estimates of the cost of alternative methods of waste treatment, studies of areas to be served by the proposed facilities and estimates of the cost of serving such areas; preliminary sketches of existing and proposed sewer and treatment plant layouts; and estimates of alternative methods of financing, including user charges, and other studies and estimates designed to aid the municipality or quasi-municipal corporation in deciding whether and how best to proceed with a pollution abatement program. [PL 1989, c. 890, Pt. A, §40 (AFF); PL 1989, c. 890, Pt. B, §26 (AMD).] B. For the purposes of this section, "final planning" means the preparation of engineering drawings and specifications for the construction of waste treatment facilities, interceptor systems and outfalls or other facilities specifically designated in departmental rules. All proceeds from the sale of bonds for the planning of pollution abatement facilities expended under the direction and supervision of the commissioner must be segregated, apportioned and expended as provided by the Legislature. [PL 1989, c. 890, Pt. A, §40 (AFF); PL 1989, c. 890, Pt. B, §26 (AMD).] [PL 1989, c. 890, Pt. A, §40 (AFF); PL 1989, c. 890, Pt. B, §26 (AMD).]