|
|
|
|
Dear Friend,
Maine is hosting a summit to empower high school students in climate action, and you're invited!
The Governor's Office of Policy Innovation and the Future, Maine Department of Education, Maine Environmental Education Association, Maine Youth for Climate Justice, Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance, and JustME for JustUS are hosting the Climate&Me Youth Leadership Summit.
This all-day event will include student-led workshop sessions, time to meet and connect with other students, and opportunities to build skills and a library of climate action resources. Students will have the chance to hear from other young climate leaders and experts about how to drive action and change in their schools and communities. Featured speakers and agenda updates will be announced soon!
|
|
Summit Details
-
Where? Wells Conference Center on the University of Maine Orono campus (131 Munson Road, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04473)
-
When? Friday, April 4, 2025. Check-in and breakfast begin at 8 a.m.; the Summit will begin at 9 a.m. and end at 5 p.m.
-
What? This full-day summit will offer Maine high school students and adult leaders the opportunity to connect with fellow emerging climate leaders, attend student-run breakout sessions, and build a toolkit of climate action project planning skills and resources. Educators and administrators accompanying students to the Summit will join a separate “adult track” to exchange knowledge and build connections.
-
How can you register? Form a cohort with one to two adult leaders (for example, a teacher, administrator, school staff member) and 2-10 students from your high school. Cohorts may be based on classes, pre-existing eco-clubs or be newly formed groups. No prior experience in running a climate project at your school is necessary! Then, register by March 3. Space is limited, so we recommend applying early!
|
|
The Governor’s Energy Office has submitted to the Legislature the Maine Energy Plan, a strategic plan for the state to advance affordable, reliable and clean energy for Maine’s people and economy.
|
|
The Energy Plan highlights the significant progress Maine has made toward achieving its energy goals to date, including investing in energy efficient technologies that are saving Maine people money and expanding homegrown clean energy to boost the state’s energy independence.
|
|
The Plan outlines strategies to further reduce energy costs, ensure reliability and resilience, and increase the diversity of energy resources to meet the Governor’s goal of 100 percent clean electricity by 2040, which will reduce energy costs and volatility over time. The Plan was informed by an 18-month stakeholder engagement process and an expert technical report.
|
|
Much of the energy plan is directly aligned with Strategy C in Maine Won't Wait, the state's climate action plan. It includes four recommendations to transition to clean energy:
|
|
Read the full Maine Won't Wait here.
|
|
Are you looking for a career aligned with Maine's climate action goals?
Last year, Maine was awarded a $69 million climate resilience grant through NOAA’s highly competitive Climate Resilience Grant Challenge to protect its communities, environment, and working waterfronts from extreme storms, flooding, and rising sea levels. A portion of these funds will support positions with the state to address vulnerabilities, protect people, and ensure critical infrastructure is prepared for future impacts.
Our office and partner agencies are currently looking to hire for these positions:
|
|
Funding & Input Opportunities
|
|
|
Environmental Justice for New England Grants
Grant funding is now available for environmental and climate planning and projects led by nonprofit organizations, community-based organizations, grassroots organizations, Tribal governments, intertribal consortia, and Native American organizations. Grants can be used to build capacity at small organizations with fewer than four full-time staff and for environmental assessment, public engagement and education, project planning, and project implementation. Free assistance is available to complete grant applications and execute projects.
Learn more and apply by February 14, 2025
|
|
2025 AARP Community Challenge Grants
This program offers funding for a range of community projects, including supporting community resilience through investments that improve disaster management, preparedness, and mitigation for residents, pedestrian safety demonstration projects, and expanding broadband access.
The application deadline is March 5, 2025.
|
|
Northern Border Regional Commission Catalyst Program
The Catalyst Program stimulates economic growth and inspires partnerships that improve rural economic vitality across the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) four-state region. Through the 2025 Catalyst Program, NBRC anticipates making up to $50 million in competitive awards from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funding. Infrastructure projects are eligible for awards of up to $1,000,000. Non-infrastructure projects are eligible for up to $500,000. Eligible entities include state and local governments, Tribes, and non-profits.
Spring 2025 Timeline and Key Dates:
- Pre-Application (Required) due on February 28, 2025 by 5:00 pm EST
- Application (By Invitation) due on April 11, 2025 by 5:00 pm EST
|
|
Climate Education Professional Development Grants
The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is seeking applications for its Climate Education Professional Development Grant Program. This pilot program awards grants for high-quality climate-related interdisciplinary professional learning designed and carried out in partnership with community-based nonprofit organizations.
Applications are available now and are due March 21, 2025. Programming may run from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026.
|
|
Regional Heat Pump Program Seeks Input
A coalition of states including Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island is requesting input on program design for the New England Heat Pump Accelerator, funded by EPA's Climate Pollution Reduction Grants Program. The Accelerator is a multi-state effort led by Connecticut to accelerate the adoption of cold-climate air-source heat pumps, ground-source heat pumps, and heat pump water heaters across New England. Anyone can respond to this Request for Information (RFI); responses are due January 29 at 4 p.m ET, and a virtual Technical Conference will be held on January 24 at 10 a.m. ET.
|
|
Electrification Training
Join us for a free training workshop hosted by the Biddeford-Saco-Old Orchard Beach Transit Committee, one of the first transit agencies in the state to integrate an electric bus into their fleet, on Wednesday, February 19 at Biddeford Middle School!
Take the opportunity to tour electric buses, learn about electric vehicle technology and charging, and discover how to electrify your transit fleet. Additionally, if you’re interested in learning about microgrids, there will be a presentation about microgrids and their ability to reduce demand on the main electric grid.
Refreshments will be provided.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
