The version of the ethanol bill passed in the Maine's lower legislative chamber says the law will only go into effect if two other New England states, such as Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island or Vermont, also pass similar laws. The new conditions were part of an amendment to the version passed in the Senate.

State legislators in Maine have approved a bill prohibiting the sale of corn-based ethanol. The ban only goes in effect, however, if 10 other states or a number of states with the collective population of 30 million pass similar bills.

The bill is now in front of the state's governor for signature, the final step necessary to make it law.

The residents of Maine have concerns about ethanol, said state Rep. Joan Welsh, D-Rockport. Although she shares many of those concerns, Welsh didn't vote for this bill. "It's really more of a federal issue, than a state issue," Welsh said. "I'm concerned that the bill's implementation would drive up gas prices."

The language in the first version of the bill called for the ban of all ethanol, regardless of its source. However, the bill was later changed to ban only corn-based ethanol, leaving room for the growth of cellulosic ethanol from alternate feedstocks, Welsh said, adding that she would like to see the second-generation ethanol industry reach commercial scale.

Maine legislators considered two other anti-ethanol bills this year. The bill that passed, which has now been signed into law by Gov. Paul LePage, limits corn-ethanol blends to 10 percent in Maine. The law only goes into effect if two other New England states also pass similar laws. The other piece of legislation, which did not pass, was to decrease the ethanol content of gasoline in Maine from 10 percent to 5 percent.