NRCM Statement Praises Mills’ Leadership on Climate
NRCM news release
April 30, 2019 (Augusta, ME) — Maine Governor Janet Mills today announced a climate action bill with lead sponsor Senator David Woodsome (R-York) that, if enacted, could be the most significant climate-related policy measure adopted in Maine since 2003. The bill would direct Maine to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 80% by 2050 and get 100% of our power from renewable sources by 2050. It also establishes a Maine Climate Council, with six working groups, whose first duty would be to write a new Climate Action Plan to replace the state’s outdated 2004 Climate Action Plan.
The governor’s bill incorporates many of the provisions of a bipartisan bill (LD 797), introduced by Rep. Ralph Tucker (D-Brunswick) and Sen. Bob Foley (R-York). The Environment and Natural Resources Committee held a seven-hour hearing on that bill in March, dominated by supportive testimony from a broad diversity of Mainers, ranging from farmers and fishermen, to faith leaders, scientists, business owners, youth, and many others.
In response to the announcement of the governor’s climate bill, the Natural Resources Council of Maine issued the following statement from CEO Lisa Pohlmann:
“Governor Mills has spoken frequently and forcefully in recent months of the urgent need for ambitious climate action, and this bill is just what we need to set in motion many of the clean energy solutions that Maine should be pursuing.
“Governor Mills’ vision would set us on a clear path to achieve substantial, science-based reductions of climate-changing pollution. We commend the governor for proposing a new Maine Climate Council that will serve as an inclusive forum for creating a comprehensive Climate Action Plan based on the best ideas, science, analysis, and input from Mainers across the state.
“This is a thoughtfully crafted bill, which builds on other substantive proposals introduced this session, including the bipartisan climate bill sponsored by Representative Ralph Tucker (D-Brunswick) and Senator Bob Foley (R-York). The governor’s bill is the right vehicle to jump-start Maine’s efforts to tackle climate change in ways that will benefit Maine people, our environment, and our economy.”
