Latest news with #MaineClimateCouncil
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Federal cuts may hurt Maine's ability to meet climate goals, scientists say
Jun. 9—Scientists and fishermen are eager to learn more about a sudden cooling in the deep waters of the Gulf of Maine, a new mystery in a body of water as well known in global science circles for its rapid warming as it is among foodies for its lobsters, oysters and scallops. That will be hard to do under a proposed federal budget that cuts funds for a national ocean monitoring system. "People are talking (about the cooling). Is this a reset?" asked Susie Arnold, a marine scientist with the Island Institute in Rockland. "Well, what do you use to find that out? You look at the buoys. Those are one of the primary tools that we use to understand oceanography in the Gulf of Maine." Arnold was referring to a network of floating research stations that monitor currents, temperature and other data points used by scientists to track changes in the gulf. She is one of about 40 scientists who advise the Maine Climate Council, the state-appointed commission that develops the state climate action plan, Maine Won't Wait. The scientists provide the raw science behind the plan, documenting the effects of climate change and projecting future sea level rise and warming. And these scientists are worried, both about the coming changes in climate and their ability to study them. And they believe recent federal budget and staffing cuts may prevent Maine from achieving its climate goals, including those set in the November update to Maine Won't Wait but also those already codified in state law. Federal grant cuts might mean they won't even have the tools to know if Maine is meeting its goals. Maine has written four greenhouse gas goals into state law to compel the government to do its part to curb climate change and prevent the earth from overheating: cut emissions 10% from 1990 levels by 2020, 45% by 2030, 80% by 2050, and achieve carbon neutrality by 2045. Last year, the Department of Environmental Protection announced Maine had met its easiest emissions goal — a 10% reduction by 2020 — and was 91% of the way toward meeting its carbon neutrality goal by 2045. It has a long way to go for its next goal — 17.3 million tons, or a 45% cut — and only six years to do it. Maine relies on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's state inventory and projection tool as a starting point to estimate its gross greenhouse gas inventory. DEP is "cautiously optimistic" that annual updates to this tool will continue, but it won't know for sure until November, when the EPA's next data release is scheduled. Members of the council's scientific and technical subcommittee, which Arnold co-chairs, met Thursday to talk about writing a new report on both the evolving science, including the Gulf of Maine's new deep water cooling trend, and the changed political landscape. They decided to write an update to last year's plan by April. They cited more than a dozen at-risk or eliminated federally run or funded scientific programs, ranging from an environmental justice screening tool that Maine uses to help identify socially vulnerable communities to coastal zone management grants that help communities prepare and bounce back from climate challenges like flooding. The U.S. Center for Disease Control climate and health program is targeted for elimination in Trump's proposed budget, and most of its staff has been fired. Without this funding, Maine will probably have to scrap its statewide pollen monitoring network before it fully starts and suspend plans to help counties develop extreme heat plans. The scientists tried to maintain political neutrality while ticking off the disappearing federal climate data sources. "We're not the Union of Concerned Scientists," said co-chair Ivan Fernandez of the University of Maine's Climate Change Institute, referring to a group of scientists who advocate for aggressive action against climate change. "That said, the kind of information that we've seen in the inventory clearly impacts how we think about the research that's being done in critical questions, monitoring, and data sets." That clearly hinders the work of scientists, the subcommittee and the Maine Climate Council as a whole, he said. In some cases, the state could turn to private climate data sources, but that could raise concerns over objectivity, such as who is funding that data collection. Scientists noted it could also drive up the costs of accessing that data after the private companies have the market to themselves. Copy the Story Link
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Lawmaker presses forward with innovative legislation to reduce utility bills: 'Moral imperative'
In Maine, a new proposal looks to make sure that the transition to cleaner energy benefits everyone, especially those who need it most. Rep. Sophia Warren, a Democrat from Scarborough, introduced legislation that would make it a legal requirement for the Maine Climate Council to consider how much of a household's income is being spent on energy when it makes policy recommendations to the state. "I believe it is a moral imperative we fight poverty alongside climate change," Warren said during a public hearing, Maine Morning Star reported, citing Maine's high poverty rates and above-average energy costs. While the Maine Climate Council addressed affordability in its 2024 Climate Action Plan, Warren's bill would ensure this priority is protected by law, regardless of future leadership. That could make a big difference for low-income households, who spend nearly three times more of their income on energy than the average Mainer, according to state data. The bill would "comprehensively analyze household energy burden in Maine in 2025, including all energy sources, and set a target for reducing the energy burden for low-income residents by January 2026." "A strong economy and a sustainable environmental future must go hand in hand," said Ashley Luszczki of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, adding that businesses also need reliable, affordable energy to thrive. Warren's proposal reflects a broader trend of climate policies that save money and reduce harmful pollution. In February, Memphis, Tennessee, became one of 25 cities selected for the Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities initiative, a $200 million effort that promotes low-carbon, resilient communities. In fall, Washington state gave a one-time $200 utility bill credit to roughly 20% of households in the state. There are several ways homeowners can address concerns about the efficiency of their homes' energy systems while saving money. For instance, they can upgrade to solar power. With such improvements, you may qualify for tax incentives through the Inflation Reduction Act. Do you think your city has good air quality? Definitely Somewhat Depends on the time of year Not at all Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Policies such as this one help pave the way to a future with clean, affordable energy that is within reach for all families. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Lawmaker argues it's a ‘moral imperative' to address high energy costs alongside climate change
A worker installs a heat pump, which have been a key feature of Maine's transition to cleaner energy. (Photo via Oregon Department of Energy) While the struggle for low-income residents to afford their power bill is not new, Rep. Sophie Warren believes that the transition to clean energy needs to prioritize such economic justice issues to ensure no one is left behind in the state's efforts to address climate change. Last session, the Scarborough Democrat introduced a bill that sought to bolster support for low-income residents to access energy efficiency and weatherization programs. Although that bill died, part of what Warren had hoped to achieve eventually came to fruition when the Maine Climate Council for the first time included in updated Climate Action Plan strategies to lower the energy burden on Maine residents. Though Warren applauds that work, she introduced LD 1037 to go a step further by requiring the climate council to include in its annual report to lawmakers specific recommendations for how to reduce the portion of Mainers' income that is being spent on electricity and home heating fuels. During a public hearing for the proposal Monday, Warren told members of the Legislature's Environment and Natural Resources Committee that she wants to ensure the work continues into the future, regardless of who sits on the council or serves in the executive branch. 'As a small, rural state with higher-than-average rates of poverty and some of the highest comparative, I both believe it is a moral imperative we fight poverty alongside climate change but also that to do so is economical in the long run,' Warren said. For low-income households in Maine, the average energy burden is 14% based on 2018-2022 data, according to the Maine Energy Plan published in January. That is nearly three times higher than the statewide average across all income levels. The Maine State Chamber of Commerce supports Warren's bill, encouraging what they described as a 'thoughtful' shift to clean energy that doesn't inadvertently increase costs for Maine businesses, said Maine Chamber Government Relations Specialist Ashley Luszczki. For example, she pointed to energy intensive businesses, such as manufacturers and food processors, that rely on cost-effective, reliable energy to stay competitive. Despite the state's current statutory goal of using 80% renewable energy by 2030 and 100% by 2050, renewable sources don't provide the affordable and consistent baseload power large-scale industrial operations need, Luszczki said. In 2023, Gov. Janet Mills called for those timelines to be moved up, asking instead for the state to strive for 100% clean energy by 2040. The chamber sees Warren's bill as a way to meet climate goals while lowering energy costs. 'A strong economy and a sustainable environmental future must go hand in hand,' Luszczki said. The Office of Public Advocate, which advocates for Maine utility ratepayers, also supports this bill, saying that the affordability of energy must be taken into account when considering new climate policy. While the Governor's Office of Policy Innovation and the Future — which manages the Maine Climate Council — agrees with the goal of the legislation, it is opposed to the proposal. Current law already requires the council to consider household energy burden and affordability, argued Senior Advisor Brian Hubbell. Additionally, the most recent climate action plan from November 2024 includes multiple strategies and recommendations in those areas, including one to 'comprehensively analyze household energy burden in Maine in 2025, including all energy sources, and set a target for reducing the energy burden for low-income residents by January 2026.' Even with those recommendations already spelled out, Warren said her proposal is still necessary because it would commit in statute the prioritization of considering poverty in climate efforts. 'I see formalizing this additional consideration of energy burden within the Council's framework and ensuring it remains in statute as its own distinct priority is key to achieving the long-term commitment,' Warren said. If there is a need for a more detailed analysis of energy burden and how to reduce it, Hubbell said it would be more appropriate for the Governor's Energy Office to complete that work and include it in its biennial energy plan. The most recent iteration of that plan published in January also already includes recommendations for reducing the energy burden on low- and moderate-income households. These include conducting regular analyses of household energy costs, increasing awareness of assistance programs and expanding education on weatherization and other energy efficiency measures. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Are taller seawalls the answer to rising seas and storm surge?
Feb. 24—In response to last year's winter storms, Maine allowed coastal landowners to rebuild docks, wharves, and piers higher to prepare for future storms and sea level rise. Now a Wells lawmaker wants state regulators to allow the state to permit higher seawalls, too. Rep. Bob Foley, R-Wells, wants landowners or municipalities to be able to raise seawalls by up to 2 feet, even if they are located in one of Maine's protected coastal sand dune systems, to safeguard buildings and public infrastructure from rising seas and storms. "During last year's storms, waves simply rolled over the tops of sea walls, damaging the property behind them while washing hundreds of cubic yards of sand, rocks and debris off the beaches and into the properties and the roadways," Foley told a legislative committee Monday. Seawalls protect private homes and public infrastructure — Wells spent $200,000 last year fixing Webhennet Road three times — as well as municipal tax revenue, Foley said. Seawall-protected land in Wells is assessed at $970 million, bringing in an estimated $5 million in local taxes. Maine's 3,500-mile shoreline is being reshaped by rising seas and storm surge. Sea levels are rising faster than ever before, with record-high sea levels measured along the coast in 2023 and 2024. Maine Climate Council projects at least 1.5 feet of sea level rise by 2050 and 4 feet by 2100. But opponents argue that seawalls meant to keep out rising waters can cause sediment erosion at their base, deflect water and damage neighboring properties, the sand dune system that provides natural flood protection and wildlife habitat, and the state's 35 miles of sandy beaches. The state only allows a rebuilt seawall to be larger than the original if it is less damaging to nearby sand dunes, wildlife habitat and neighbors, said Rob Wood, director of DEP's Bureau of Land Resources. That generally means it must be built further inland to open up additional beach area. Foley argued the limited erosion occurring at the base of existing seawalls won't be increased by adding 2 feet to their height. Some property owners do not have the option of moving a seawall inland because they are sandwiched between the shore and a property line or road. The DEP and several environmental groups testified against LD 228 at a Monday hearing of the Environment and Natural Resources Committee. They urged coastal landowners to raise buildings or sand dunes rather than seawalls that cause beach erosion. Wood and others noted that not everyone can afford to raise their seawalls. Those who live near a coastal property owner who could raise their seawall may find themselves facing a higher flood risk from storm surge that is deflected by their neighbor's taller wall. Nature-based solutions such as newly constructed sand dunes absorb storm surge rather than deflect it. Sand dunes protect more than just homes and wildlife habitat, environmental groups noted — they also protect Maine's sandy beaches, which generate $2.6 billion of yearly tourism revenue and 34,000 jobs, and raise the property value of the land located behind the seawalls. "Maine beaches are economic engines that need to be protected," said Luke Frankel, a staff scientist at the Natural Resources Council of Maine. This bill intended to limit sea level rise damage allows for "the temporary fix of one problem while making other problems worse." A lobbyist for Maine Audubon, Francesca "Ches" Gundrum, said Maine must strike a balance between trying to save coastal communities from sea level rise and acknowledging that such climate-related challenges will only get worse over time. "We do really need to be thinking sort of big picture," Gundrum said. "Is living as close to the coast as we are, living within these very sensitive systems that are disappearing, going to work in the long term? ... There is not any one silver bullet." If lawmakers endorse the proposal, however, DEP requested the bill be amended to require applicants to offset erosion through beach nourishment or dune improvements, get permission from neighbors, and prove they can't build the replacement wall inland or raise the protected structure instead. Manager Katy Kelly said a seawall protected her employer, Lafayette Hotel in Wells, during last year's storms. But the same waves overran smaller seawalls nearby and sent debris and hundreds of yards of sand washing over homes, businesses and roads, causing massive damage. "It was stunning in its intensity," said Kelly, whose hotel chain employs more than 1,000 people along the Maine shore. "The state depends on these properties for taxes and jobs. The state should be working with us, not against us." The committee will take the bill up again at a future work session that has not yet been scheduled. Foley introduced it as emergency legislation, which means that it would need 2/3 approval by both the House and Senate as well as the support of Gov. Janet Mills to take immediate effect. Copy the Story Link
