Maine companies demand 'bold' state action on climate change

a very still river with a dead piece of tree sticking out and brown fields and trees with gold and orange foliage in the background

Photo / Maureen Milliken As the Maine Climate Council works on a four-year action plan for the state, companies are demanding bold action from policy makers.

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By Renee Cordes

As the Maine Climate Council works on its four-year climate roadmap for the state, more than 100 businesses and organizations from Allagash Brewing Co. to engineering firm Woodard & Curran are demanding a well-planned strategy.

"Our actions must be intelligent, bold, comprehensive and inclusive," says a Sept. 15 letter addressed to the Maine Climate Council and the Governor's Office of Policy and Innovation, headed by Maine Climate Council Co-Chair Hannah Pingree.

"Maine companies are willing and able partners in the fight to confront the climate crisis by investing in energy and infrastructure projects and job creation and moving people and goods to drive our economy forward. A robust Climate Action Plan will be the roadmap to ensure our success."

The demand comes as the smoke from the wildfires in California spread across the country, causing hazy skies in Maine this week, and reportedly as far afield as Europe.

"With wildfires raging in California, parts of the Gulf under siege from hurricanes and flooding, and the entire state of Maine in drought conditions, we’re seeing in real time the tremendous impacts of climate change," Jeff Marks, senior policy advocate and Maine director at the nonprofit Acadia Center in Rockport, told Mainebiz.

Marks, who is also the former executive director of the Environmental & Energy Technology Council of Maine, said that the Acadia Center organized the letter, along with a similar one from Maine Angels, because the business community is one of the most influential and important allies in the fight against global climate change.

"We must have a bold plan, and policy makers now have the opportunity to create it and put it into action," he added. "Strong support from Maine’s business community is critical, as they will have the products, services, and innovations that will create jobs and economic benefits for years to come."

Through six working groups meeting virtually this month, the Maine Climate Council aims to have a plan ready by Dec. 1 outlining actions in areas such as meeting greenhouse gas emissions and helping Maine achieve carbon neutrality by 2045. It had a scheduled meeting this morning.

Call for job creation, energy efficiency

The Sept. 15 letter from businesses and organizations based in Maine and doing business here calls a plan that achieves significant, long-term economic, energy, environmental and equitable benefits for the State and its citizens."

Specifically, it urges policymakers to prioritize strategies that create long-lasting clean energy jobs, boost energy efficiency in homes and businesses, expand renewable energy projects,and invest in safe, clean and affordable transportation systems.

"It will be important to also plan and encourage thriving, affordable, and more livable communities that make our homes and offices more conducive to life, family and work," it says.

The companies also express their commitment to work with state and local governments to pursue innovative policies and
partnerships towards a more innovative electricity grid, more energy efficient buildings, more fuel-efficient vehicles and cleaner ways to heat and power homes and factories that preserves and fortifies a number of industries from forestry to tourism.

"Together, we can help companies and entrepreneurs confront climate challenges and identify opportunities to grow their businesses and workforces, market their products and services, and contribute to climate solutions," they write. "Our actions must be intelligent, bold, comprehensive and inclusive."

The Maine Angels, a group of private equity investors who investor and mentor early-stage companies, made a similar plea in a separate letter to policymakers.

"Although our organization does not officially take positions on issues, we as individuals, and leaders in the community, do support this climate change initiative and urge your support for a Climate Action Plan that strengthens Maine’s economy, creates and maintains jobs, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and builds healthy communities for everyone," they write.

"You have an extraordinary and unique opportunity to develop a plan that achieves significant, long-term economic, energy, environmental, and equitable benefits for Maine companies and workers. We look forward to helping you to achieve these goals and implement the strategies needed to move Maine forward."

U.S. Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, touched briefly on climate change at a virtual forum Tuesday organized by the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce before heading to the Senate to discuss a bill on energy storage.

"Climate change is going to disrupt populations," he cautioned, "and we're going to see migrations because of famine and drought, and that's going to be destabilizing" around the world.

Referencing rising sea levels and the California wildfires, King also noted that there is no single solution to the climate change problem, saying, "We've just got to do everything we can think of."