Dear Friend,
 

We are fast approaching the deadline for the Maine Climate Council to deliver the state's updated climate action plan, Maine Won't Wait, by December 1, 2024. The Council will meet in one week, on October 23, 2024, to further refine its draft recommendations as it prepares the updated report.

Shaping that report will be the perspectives and feedback that Maine people have shared with the Council through a comprehensive process that kicked off just over a year ago, in September 2023. Everyday Mainers from across the state provided their thoughts and questions at in-person meetings, community events, youth engagement sessions, and through online surveys as the Council embarked on this important update.

A portion of the report containing the Council’s draft strategies that will form the backbone of the full report is now available online.

Any remaining public comments should be submitted by 5 pm on October 22, 2024. The draft strategies will then be finalized and incorporated into the full report for delivery to the Governor, Legislature, and people of Maine. 
 

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.

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.
 

• Oct 23, 2024 | 9am - 12pm: Maine Climate Council

• Nov 21, 2024 | 9am - 5pm: Maine Climate Council

For more information about the Maine Climate Council, its members, and upcoming meetings, please visit the Maine Climate Council's website.