BANGOR DAILY NEWS • April 12, 2021
LD 99 is a bill to divest the Maine state retirement program (MEPERS) of fossil fuel interests. Divestment from fossil fuels is an imperative to meet our local and state climate goals. MEPERS has over $1 billion invested in fossil fuels. These investments have lost $133 million dollars in the last year alone. Fossil fuel stocks in the S&P 500 lost 16 percent over the 10 years prior to the pandemic, while the rest of the S&P 500 gained over 150 percent during that time. As a public school teacher, a portion of each of my paychecks goes to the MEPERS fund. I am appalled that my money is being used to pursue the drilling, storage, and transport of fossil fuels, ultimately ensuring a less-livable world for my students. Sign the petition on the 350maine.org website and contact your local representatives to express support of LD 99. ~ Ruth Poland, Bar Harbor