Thanks to recently passed legislation, Maine is committing to develop three gigawatts of offshore wind by 2024 — enough power to eventually provide for nearly half of the state’s energy needs while advancing its goal of 100 percent clean energy by 2040. This latest advance for offshore wind is the result of a winning coalition of labor and environmental groups and provides a national model for the clean energy transition.

LCV’s partnership with Maine Conservation Voters (MCV) played a key role in enabling this victory. To get this bill across the finish line, MCV ran an extensive digital ad campaign, held regular public education virtual events, drove turnout to hearings and lobby days, garnered over a thousand constituent messages to decision-makers, and built powerful relationships with labor partners. Read more about Maine’s offshore wind legislation.

A Montana judge recently sided with youth activists and ruled that a stable climate falls under the right to a “clean and healthful environment” as guaranteed in the state’s constitution. The youth plaintiffs, ranging in age from 5 to 22, sued the state over legislation that prevents state agencies from considering climate impacts when permitting fossil fuel development. This is an outstanding example of the importance of courts in addressing climate change and adds to the body of related legal decisions worldwide.

Our Montana state affiliate played an active role in the public education campaign on this critical issue. Read more about the Montana court decision.

Issue 1 was an Ohio ballot initiative that would have taken power away from Ohioans by increasing the proportion of votes required to amend the state’s constitution from 50 to 60 percent and making it much harder to obtain the signatures needed to introduce future ballot measures. In August, voters defeated Issue 1 by roughly 57% to 43%. This victory in Ohio has implications for other potential future state ballot initiatives related to gerrymandering, voting rights, reproductive rights, the minimum wage, and the environment.

The Ohio Environmental Council Action Fund ran a large campaign to help defeat Issue 1, which included voter registration and get-out-the-vote efforts, print and digital outreach, rallies in major cities, a high-profile event with Ohio House Minority Leader Allison Russo, as well as digital and radio ads that yielded more than half a million impressions. Read more about the stakes of defeating Issue 1.