Dear John,

I’m just getting home after a long day of learning, reflecting, and celebrating the 1-year anniversary of Maine’s Climate Action Plan: Maine Won’t Wait at the University of Maine.

I was honored to be invited to join the official celebration with Governor Mills, the Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future, fellow Maine Climate Council members, scientists, legislators, municipal leaders, and others.

Grounded in science and community, the Maine Climate Council launched an ambitious four-year plan one year ago today to reduce emissions, prepare for climate change impacts, and strengthen Maine communities. The collaborative process set Maine apart, and the resulting ambitious, specific, and equitable plan has positioned our state as a climate action leader.

The Climate Action Plan includes bold goals to:

Achieve state carbon neutrality by 2045;
Incentivize cleaner technologies including electric vehicles, heat pumps, and properly-sited renewable power generation;
Increase the total acreage of conserved lands in Maine to 30% by 2030; and
Develop a new, ongoing Equity Subcommittee to ensure that Maine’s climate strategies benefit all Maine people.

Today, the Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future today launched a new website, mainewontwait.org, to raise awareness about the Plan, about the effects of climate change on Maine, and the many ways people, businesses and communities can help put the Plan into action.

Throughout the last year, the Mills Administration has demonstrated the commitment and leadership needed to make progress toward the ambitious goals in the Climate Action Plan. Through federal funding, state-level legislation, and local actions, progress toward developing a more sustainable clean energy economy and healthier communities has been steady. Check-out Maine Conservation Voters’ 2021 Environmental Scorecard with a Special Report on Governor Mills to learn more about how the administration is rebuilding Maine’s reputation as a climate leader (see pp. 21-25).

While there is much more work to be done, today is a day to pause and celebrate the path we are on in Maine to move toward a sustainable clean energy economy, and to ensure healthy, resilient, and equitable communities. With Gov. Mills leading the way, progress toward safeguarding our climate future is undeniable.

As I continue to reflect on this day, I want to share my gratitude to you, our members and supporters, for being our partners in this work to push for climate action in our state.

We are stronger together. Let’s continue embracing our Dirigo motto!

Kathleen

P.S. Check-out this inspiring video from the Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future, which celebrates all that we’ve done to tackle climate change in Maine and where we’re headed next: