Dear John,

Addressing the climate crisis will take bold action across our state -- and in every sector of our economy. The Maine Climate Council is currently considering recommendations from six working groups and they need your input through a series of online surveys to decide what to prioritize in the state’s new Climate Action Plan.

We’re working through those surveys together, and it’s time to focus on buildings. We have the opportunity to make housing more affordable, safe, and healthy for all Maine people -- especially low- and moderate-income households -- through a comprehensive approach to new and existing homes.

Click here to complete the Buildings Survey and let the Climate Council know that it must ensure every Mainer has the opportunity to live or work in an energy efficient home or building by:

• Financing ultra-efficient and highly cost-effective new affordable housing through Maine Housing;

• Launching an initiative to manufacture zero-energy homes in Maine to replace aging, inefficient mobile homes;

• Dramatically scale up the successful low-income weatherization programs to tighten up leaky homes—which are also often unsafe and unhealthy; 

• Increase access to financing for home efficiency improvements and expand support for heat pump installations; and

• Align Maine with international best practices by requiring progressively tighter standards for space-and water-heating systems and building codes for  residential and commercial buildings.

Thanks for making your voice heard!

Kathleen

p.s. The Climate Council is also interested in understanding what Maine people think about climate change more broadly. Click here to complete the general survey.