NRCM news release
(Augusta, ME) – The Build Back Better framework being announced today by President Joe Biden is a historic start to the long overdue and necessary action needed to combat climate change, and it deserves the support of Maine’s Congressional delegation, according to a statement issued by Maine’s leading environmental advocacy organization, the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM).
Together with the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, several parts of the proposed Build Back Better framework would support key components of Maine’s Climate Action Plan and emissions reduction goals, including deploying more wind and solar, expanding access to electric cars and trucks, modernizing buildings with energy efficiency and weatherization, and giving local communities the tools to become more resilient to the impacts of climate change.
Below is a statement from NRCM Climate & Clean Energy Director Jack Shapiro on the Build Back Better agreement:
“Science demands that we act boldly to cut carbon pollution as quickly as possible if we hope to avert the worst impacts of climate change for Maine people and our environment. This deal includes promising climate policies that will advance the long overdue and necessary clean energy transition, helping Mainers all across our state enjoy healthier air, resilient communities, and reliable, affordable electricity.
Especially if paired with additional federal action, this package will support the implementation of Maine’s Climate Action Plan to give towns the tools they need to cope with the climate impacts we’re already experiencing and eliminate Maine’s reliance on polluting fossil fuels. This is a historic package, and we urge Maine’s entire Congressional delegation to vote in support.”
Biden’s announcement comes just days before he and other U.S. climate leaders, including Maine Governor Janet Mills, leave for an international climate summit in Glasgow, where it’s expected that they will bring with them progress on climate action that is being made at the national and state levels.
The world’s leaders are meeting October 31st – November 12th in Glasgow, Scotland, for the COP26 conference to develop a plan for achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and reducing reliance on fossil fuels in order to avert the worst impacts of climate change and limit rising temperatures to 1.5 degrees.
