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Dear Friend,
We are pleased to share that marine biologist, author, and climate policy expert Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson has joined the lineup as our featured speaker at the upcoming Climate&Me Youth Leadership Summit on April 4.
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The Summit is free and open to Maine educators and high school students interested in learning about the many ways youth can take climate action.
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.
The event is hosted by 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.
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Spotlight on Maine Won't Wait Strategy B:
Modernize Maine’s Buildings
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After transportation, Maine’s building sector holds the most potential for achieving the state’s emission-reduction goals. Heating and cooling of residential and commercial buildings contributes 31 percent of Maine’s greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel combustion. Lowering these emissions and reducing energy costs will mean switching to more efficient heating systems such as heat pumps, improving weatherization, making buildings more resilient to heatwaves and extreme storms, and using more sustainable building materials.
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These recommendations are aligned with Strategy B in Maine Won't Wait, the state's climate action plan. It includes six recommendations to modernize Maine's buildings:
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Read the full Maine Won't Wait here.
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Climate Council Coordinator Position Opens
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The Maine Climate Council Coordinator position staffed since 2023 by Amalia (Molly) Siegel is now available, following Siegel's transition to a new Climate Policy Advisor position in the Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future.
Siegel, above, has been instrumental in organizing and managing the Council's work to achieve Maine's climate goals, including the 2024 update to Maine Won't Wait. In her new role, Siegel is focused on building decarbonization policy implementation and Maine state agencies' work to “Lead by Example” with climate and energy actions.
More information about the Coordinator position is available below.
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Are you looking for a career aligned with Maine's climate action goals? Our office and partner agencies are currently recruiting for the following positions:
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Introduction to Deconstruction
Join passivhausMaine, GOPIF's Megan Mansfield-Pryor, and Danny Salomon for a webinar, "Introduction to Deconstruction."
Learn about Maine’s climate plan recommendations to reduce embodied carbon through salvage and deconstruction and the practices and programs Maine communities, homeowners, businesses and organizations can use to strengthen our economy and grow our workforce while supporting climate plan implementation.
- Date: Wednesday, March 12, 2025
- Time: 12 p.m.-1 p.m. EST
- Location: Online webinar
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Grant & Input Opportunities
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Rural Climate Partnership Grants
The Rural Climate Partnership funds organizations that are taking practical, community-focused, and innovative actions to implement equitable climate solutions in rural America.
Partnership funds are open to organizations with rural leadership; that are based in rural communities; and directly serving or targeting rural areas, small towns and small cities under 50,000 residents across the United States, prioritizing communities with a population density under 10,000.
Funding amounts typically range from $20,000 to $100,000 for projects and from $75,000 to $150,000 for general operating support.
Submissions are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis throughout the year.
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Does your organization need help claiming tax credits for clean energy, clean vehicles, or EV chargers?
The Governor’s Energy Office and Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future are offering technical assistance to non-profits and governmental entities eligible for “direct pay.” This mechanism, created through federal law, allows entities with no federal tax liability (e.g., municipalities, schools, nonprofits, and Tribal Nations, among others) to receive federal tax credits for eligible clean energy investments.
Learn more and request assistance here.
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