Governor Janet Mills, D-Maine, has announced that Maine has joined the United States Climate Alliance, a bipartisan coalition of 21 states committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions consistent with the goals of the Paris Agreement. To help accomplish this goal and identify other steps that can be taken to combat climate change, Governor Mills also said that her Administration will introduce legislation to create the Maine Climate Council.
By joining the Alliance, governors commit to implementing policies that advance the goals of the Paris Agreement, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emission by at least 26 to 28% below 2005 levels by 2025. Read Gov. Mills full remarks here.
“Today I am excited to announce that Maine is now the 22nd member-state of the United States Climate Alliance,” said Governor Mills. “While the federal government ignores its responsibility to combat climate change, Maine will work with states across the country to meet the goals outlined in the Paris Climate Accord.”
“Climate change is already impacting Maine’s communities and the Northeast region through extreme precipitation and coastal flooding,” said Julie Cerqueira, executive director of the U.S. Climate Alliance. “Governor Mills understands the urgency of this issue, and by joining the U.S. Climate Alliance she is setting the stage for Maine to lead on climate action through priorities like investing in local renewable energy production and enhancing the state’s natural and working lands.”
The United States Climate Alliance works to take unified action to address climate change, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the United States by at least 26 to 28% below 2005 levels by 2025. Alliance members have committed to working together to contribute to the global effort to reach benchmarks established by the international Paris Agreement.
To reach that goal and to help established other initiatives that will help combat climate change, Governor Mills also announced this morning that in the coming weeks her Administration will introduce legislation to create the Maine Climate Council.
“The Maine Climate Council will be responsible for developing an action plan and a timetable to meet our emission reduction goals and to ensure that Maine’s communities and economy are resilient to the effects of climate change,” said Governor Mills.
The Climate Council will consist of commissioners and key state leaders, science and technical experts, non-profit leaders, and representatives of climate-impacted industries. It will be established in statute, solicit public input, and will report regularly to the public on progress toward goals.
The Council will lead efforts to reduce Maine greenhouse gas emissions. And, with the Council’s leadership, Maine will achieve 80% renewable energy in our electricity sector by 2030 and 100% by 2050.
Governor Mills also emphasized that additional climate change initiatives will be announced in the coming months.
“My Administration will also soon make announcements for other initiatives to address climate change by improving Maine’s transportation sector and our energy and efficiency standards,” said Governor Mills. “We will mobilize state government to lead the way on energy conservation, weatherization and smart transportation measures.”
Filed Under: News, Policy
