Statement of Dylan Voorhees, NRCM Climate & Clean Energy Director
“NRCM applauds and congratulates Governor Mills on the important commitments she made today on climate change and clean energy.
“As the governor said, Maine people, communities, and businesses overwhelmingly recognize that climate change is a reality we must confront. Increasingly we also see the need to reduce carbon pollution as an opportunity for Maine. Taking advantage of energy efficiency and Maine’s abundant clean, local renewable energy resources means sending fewer of our hard-earned dollars out of the state economy in exchange for costly, unpredictable, and polluting fossil fuels.
“Climate change is a global problem that specifically threatens Maine, from our forests to the Gulf of Maine. As Governor Mills stated, we have a moral obligation to our children and grandchildren to do our part to ensure a safe climate. Her target of reducing carbon emissions by 80% by 2050 is a strong, achievable goal that is informed by science.
“Of course combatting climate change is not something we do on our own. By joining the U.S. Climate Alliance today, Governor Mills has recognized that taking action on climate puts us in alignment with 99% of the global community, as well as dozens of states, cities, and corporations across the U.S.
“Many of the successful steps Maine has taken to reduce pollution have been done in cooperation with other states. From the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) to being one of 13 states with strong clean car standards, we stand stronger together.
“Working together, the governor and Legislature can and must adopt tangible clean energy policies that result in major investments in our state and real, immediate benefits for Maine households and businesses. One of our priorities has also been for the new governor to modernize state government so that agencies, working together, can become capable, leading partners on climate and our long-term clean energy transformation.
“With today’s announcement of a Maine Climate Council, Mills is demonstrating her commitment to coordinated action across agencies, in partnership with stakeholders from across the state. The bottom line today could be summed up as, ‘We are in this together.’
“NRCM looks forward to working with the Administration to see the Maine Climate Council succeed and help our state make cooperative progress toward cutting carbon pollution.”
