PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • December 1, 2021
One year ago, as the pandemic surged through Maine, the state released its long-awaited plan to prepare for the effects of the changing climate and to meet Gov. Janet Mills’ greenhouse gas reduction goals. To mark the anniversary, Mills on Wednesday announced new initiatives designed to encourage towns and cities to undertake local projects to help meet the goals in the plan, which aims to put the state on track to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 45 percent by 2030, 80 percent by 2050, and have no net carbon dioxide emissions by 2045. The new measures provide grants and technical support to local governments as they create and implement their own climate plans, upgrade water infrastructure to deal with increased storms and flooding, and improve the efficiency of buildings and vehicles.