NRCM news release
Augusta, ME (December 1, 2020) — Maine Governor Janet Mills today announced the release of a new statewide Climate Action Plan detailing a series of actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 45% by 2030 and 80% by 2050. The new Plan is the result of more than a year of work by a 39-member Maine Climate Council with input from experts and Maine people from all corners of the state, who determined that the costs of inaction greatly exceed the costs of taking action to accelerate the transition to a clean energy economy.
Maine’s leading environmental advocacy organization, the Natural Resources Council of Maine, released the following statement from CEO Lisa Pohlmann in support of Maine’s new Climate Action Plan:
“Maine’s new Climate Action Plan lays out a strong, science-based path for creating new jobs, reducing pollution, and helping protect Maine’s long-term health and prosperity.
This plan will help us reduce the amount of money, currently $4.4 billion annually, that Maine people spend every year on oil and gas from out-of-state. As we implement this plan and create a clean energy economy, we will instead be investing that money in Maine people, Maine jobs, and energy systems that will benefit Maine’s economy, while also reducing the pollution that is contributing to climate change.
We applaud Governor Mills and her staff, the Maine Climate Council, and everyone who helped create this new plan, including the more than 4,000 Mainers from every part of the state who provided ideas and input. We now look forward to working with the Legislature, business and civic leaders, municipalities, and residents statewide as we come together to implement these important strategies for our economy and our future.
We also look forward to working with Maine’s Congressional delegation, because successful implementation of Maine’s new Climate Action Plan will depend upon leadership from the federal government as we implement policies and investment programs that support the transportation and energy systems required in the years ahead.”
Additional background on the Maine Climate Action Plan
- Read a blog post from NRCM Climate & Clean Energy Director David Costello on the priorities NRCM will focus on implementing.
- Read an overview of the Maine Climate Action Plan.
