Dear John,
It is urgent that we address the climate crisis right now. The cost of doing nothing is too great for Maine’s ecosystems, species, infrastructure, and public health.
Maine needs to add significant human resources to move climate action strategies forward. The greatest opportunity for engaging in this work with a large group of citizens representing all ages, abilities, and background lies with a Climate Corps.
At the end of the last legislative session, funding was secured for four Climate Corps service members and one Climate Corps leadership position. This pilot project will begin in May with four service members focused on reducing energy costs of low-income households. Service members will engage the community in energy education, collect energy usage data, analyze energy savings, and create instructional videos for clients.
The pilot project will help some of Maine's most rural and marginalized communities address the climate crisis. Members will receive a livable wage—leading to more equity in who can serve—and on-the-job training and certifications needed to work at energy efficiency companies.
At this time, it is up to the Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs to implement Maine’s Climate Corps on a larger scale.
Action Needed:
Please consider testifying in support of LD 142, which will fund four Maine Climate Corps leadership positions and 50 participants of the Maine Climate Corps program.
Establishing a Maine Climate Corps program does require state funding. Yet, the cost of doing nothing is far greater for Maine's people and environment.
Copy the template at the bottom of this email to draft your testimony.
Click here to submit your testimony then select:
“Public Hearing”
“Education and Cultural Affairs”
“Jan 31 2023 1:00 PM”
“LD 142: An Act to Fund Climate-related Work"
Upload your testimony or paste it in the box.
Enter your information and hit submit.
Talking points to help guide your testimony:
Maine Climate Corps will:
- Provide the human power to conduct climate projects on the ground throughout the state.
- Help mitigate the negative effects of climate change.
- Strengthen our state's communities and support historically marginalized populations facing the impacts of climate change.
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Provide a living allowance at a livable wage for service members and the certification and/or job training in the environmental and clean energy sectors to kick-start careers.
Thank you so much for using your voice to make an impact,
