Follow us on Instagram ([link removed]) , Facebook ([link removed]) , or LinkedIn ([link removed]) !
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** Dear Friend,

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** Recharge Maine ([link removed]) will host a lunch-hour webinar on October 4th to celebrate National Drive Electric Week ([link removed]) , and registration is now open ([link removed]) ! Whether you’re considering switching to an EV or are interested in learning about Maine’s transition to electric transportation, this session will provide valuable information about Maine's EV landscape.

The webinar ([link removed]) will include:
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** An overview of Maine’s ongoing efforts to expand EV charging
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** Updates from the Maine Department of Transportation on EV-related state initiatives
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** Information on financial incentives for EVs and charging stations
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** Testimonials from real Maine EV drivers, including Chuck Hayward from Revision Energy ([link removed])
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** Opportunity for audience Q&A
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**
Presenters include Joyce Taylor, chief engineer for the Maine Department of Transportation ([link removed]) , and Hogan Dwyer, program manager at Efficiency Maine ([link removed]) .
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Register for the Charging Ahead webinar here ([link removed])


** In case you missed the EPA announcement last week, the current round of EPA Clean School Bus Rebate Program funds includes $965M in funding ([link removed]) !

Applicants must submit all materials by January 9th, 2025, at 4:00 PM ET through the Applicant Dashboard. ([link removed]) All applicants must submit one or more supplemental forms: School District Approval Certification, School Board Awareness Certification, and/or Utility Partner Template.
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Visit the EPA's Applicant Dashboard ([link removed])
Find out more on the EPA's Clean School Bus Program website ([link removed])
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Read more about Maine's Clean School Bus Program ([link removed])


** Youth Engagement Update
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Emme Nguyen, 16 | Bangor High School


** Deadline extended to Oct. 15th!
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** Climate&Me ([link removed]) , our youth-focused climate action initiative, welcomes artwork submissions from Maine children and youth between the ages of 9 and 22.

Create work using one of these three themes:
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** Climate solutions
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** Resilient Maine
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** Envisioning Maine's Climate Future
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** Selected artists will be included in the updated Maine Won't Wait climate action plan's printed and online ([link removed]) versions and featured on the Maine Won't Wait website ([link removed]) and social media channels ([link removed]) .
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** Use the links below to share the extended deadline for this challenge with interested students, parents, and educators.
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[link removed] https%3A%2F%2Fwww.surveymonkey.com%2Fr%2Fclimateartchallenge Share ([link removed] https%3A%2F%2Fwww.surveymonkey.com%2Fr%2Fclimateartchallenge)
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Read guidelines and submit art here ([link removed])


** We also recently wrapped up our run of Maine Climate Council public meetings in Biddeford, and what a joy it was to see so many University of New England students in attendance!

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** These undergraduates studying environmental science, marine science, and climate change put their knowledge to practice. They provided excellent input to the Maine Climate Council as it continues its work to update Maine Won’t Wait. Maine’s students are essential to climate planning, and we were so thankful for their energy and expertise during this meeting!
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** Below are some upcoming youth engagement opportunities that our Youth Engagement Coordinator, Abigail Hayne, will attend in October.
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** Oct 8th | Youth Climate Action Symposium, Brunswick
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** Oct 10th | Climate&Me Talk at Bowdoin College
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** Oct 24th | Cheverus High School Climate Teach-In
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** Award, Funding and Grant Opportunities
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**
Applications are now open for the next round of Community Action and Service Provider Grants through the Community Resilience Partnership, and we have some exciting updates to share as well!

1. Increased Funding and Max Awards: With additional funding from Governor Mills and the Legislature, plus new Federal funds through an historic climate resilience grant to the State received earlier this year, the Partnership will make up to $8 million available in its next grants round and increase the maximum community action grant award from $50,000 to $75,000 for individual community grants, and $125,000 to $175,000 for joint community grants.

2. This round of community action grants is open to all enrolled communities to apply. Communities with past and current grant projects are eligible to receive a grant award. Enrollment can be completed simultaneously with application submission. A full list of enrolled communities can be found here. ([link removed])

3. New Service Provider Funding Track. In addition to the regular community enrollment grant for Service Providers, a new grant track has been added for Service Providers to apply to complete vulnerability assessments for enrolled and enrolling communities.

The Partnership website provides more information about these grant opportunities, eligible actions for no-match grant projects, application criteria, and more.

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Learn more about all Round 5 funding opportunities here ([link removed])
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** The Energy Efficiency Planning for Rural Communities (EEPRC) program is a special, one-time technical assistance offering through the Community Resilience Partnership. The purpose of the EEPRC program is to support Maine communities with energy efficiency planning for publicly owned buildings through energy audits, energy benchmarking trainings and support, and energy conservation plans.
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** The application deadline is October 4th, 2024.
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** An informational webinar was held on September 5th. View the recording ([link removed]) or download the slides ([link removed]) to learn more.
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** For more information on the Energy Efficiency Planning for Rural Communities program, refer to the Efficiency Planning for Rural Communities Program Statement ([link removed]) .

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Learn more about the EEPRC opportunity ([link removed])


** Governor Mills Invites Maine Businesses to Apply for 2024 Governor's Award for Business Excellence
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** Governor Janet Mills recently announced that the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) is accepting applications for the annual Governor’s Award for Business Excellence (GABE). Since 1991, the award has recognized and celebrated Maine businesses with a high level of commitment to their community and employees, as well as exemplary performance in the manufacturing or service professions.

Applications are being accepted by the Dept. of Economic & Community Development through Friday, October 18.

Categories include:
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** The Innovation Award, which celebrates and recognizes business excellence through entrepreneurship and innovation. 
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** The Rural Revitalization Award, which recognizes contributions to the revitalization and growth of Maine’s rural regions. 
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** The Heritage Industry Award, which recognizes and celebrates business excellence in the agriculture, forestry, manufacturing, or marine sector. 
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** The Climate Leader Award, which recognizes business leadership, innovation, or excellence in mitigating climate risks or developing new technologies to combat climate change.
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Read the Governor's press release about the award ([link removed])
Visit the Online Application Portal ([link removed])


** Maine Stories
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** Last month, before the Maine Climate Council's September 25th meeting, we spoke to Gianluca Yornet De Rosas, Inez Lombardo, and Denise Cilley, who previously participated in the Mitchell Center’s focus groups.

We asked them to share the ways they experience climate policy in their daily lives, and this is what they had to say.
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Watch it on our Maine Climate Council YouTube Channel ([link removed])


** Food Waste Awareness Week
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** September 25-29 was recognized as Maine Food Waste Awareness Week. To bring attention to the impacts on climate, the University of Maine led a first-of-its-kind food waste study ([link removed]) with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection that shines a light on where food is wasted in Maine.
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Read the article from UMaine ([link removed])
Read the DEP's food waste study ([link removed])


** Upcoming Meetings
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** Oct 4, 2024 | 12-1pm: Charging Ahead: Maine's EV Landscape ([link removed])
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** Oct 16, 2024 | 12 - 1pm: Maine Climate Council Emissions Modeling Webinar ([link removed])
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** Oct 23, 2024 | 9am - 12pm: Maine Climate Council ([link removed])
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** Nov 21, 2024 | 9am - 5pm: Maine Climate Council ([link removed])
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Bookmark the GOPIF meetings calendar webpage ([link removed])


** For more information about the Maine Climate Council, its members, and upcoming meetings, please visit the Maine Climate Council's website ([link removed]) .
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If you were forwarded this message, please consider signing up for our newsletter at MaineWontWait.org ([link removed]) (link).
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