Every five years, we get a glimpse at the newest vision for Southern Maine’s transportation future when the Portland Area Comprehensive Transportation System (PACTS) updates its long-range transportation plan. This year’s iteration, Connect 2045, arrives during an exciting time of major investment in transportation innovation from the state and federal level. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Read More
infrastructure
Federal Funding Creates Opportunities for Maine
This is the third blog post in a series that will illuminate the ways federal funding has allowed Maine to successfully complete climate and clean energy projects; the projects that are underway with funding coming down the pipeline; and the needs that still exist for continued climate and clean energy work. Read the first blog Read More
Federal Climate Funding at Work in Maine
This is the first blog post in a series that will illuminate the ways federal funding has allowed Maine to successfully complete climate and clean energy projects; the projects that are underway with funding coming down the pipeline; and the needs that still exist for continued climate and clean energy work. The processes and negotiations Read More
Smart Funding Decisions Needed to Build a Climate-friendly Transportation System for Maine
Maine’s transportation system is largely focused on moving cars quickly from point A to point B. But this focus risks missing the point entirely—and serves to create congestion, cost, and carbon pollution. If we are to meet the challenge of the climate crisis, Maine needs to deliver healthier, more affordable and accessible transportation options Read More
Exploring Community Trails, Big and Small, in Maine
With new funding streams coming in and plans progressing to improve our walking and biking paths, we have a lot to be hopeful for in Maine. In the coming years there will be myriad opportunities to engage at the local, state, and federal levels to advocate for community trails. Such an investment would be not Read More
Putting Our Plug-in Hybrid to the Test: Pandemic Road-tripping
In August of 2021, my husband and I decided to accept an invitation to an in-person wedding of a dear friend in southeastern Michigan, about 900 miles away from our home in Lewiston. Seeing friends and embarking on a road trip, one of our favorite ways to vacation, seemed the perfect antidote to our COVID Read More
Maine’s Climate Action Plan Turns One
Today marks one year since the creation of Maine’s Climate Action Plan, “Maine Won’t Wait,” an exciting and ambitious framework to tackle climate change on all fronts in our state. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, it has been a pivotal year for climate action. Hundreds of Maine people, communities, and businesses have stepped up to deliver meaningful progress toward our climate goals. As more and Read More
US House Votes for Largest Investment in Climate Action and Clean Energy in History
NRCM statement by Emmie Theberge Today, the U.S. House of Representatives voted in favor of the Build Back Better Act, which includes the largest investment in climate action and clean energy in U.S. history. Below is a statement from Emmie Theberge, Federal Director at the Natural Resources Council of Maine, regarding the House’s vote: “This Read More
GrowSmart Summit Inspires Confidence in a Better Tomorrow
Last week, in my role as Climate & Clean Energy Outreach Coordinator at the Natural Resources Council of Maine, I had the pleasure of attending GrowSmart Maine’s annual summit in the vast Pepperell Mill Campus of Biddeford. Vaulted ceilings and brick walls lit by rustic bare bulbs set the scene for a conference entitled, “Turning Read More
