ASSOCIATED PRESS • January 15, 2022
Their state budgets flush with cash, Democratic and Republican governors alike want to spend some of the windfall on projects aimed at slowing climate change and guarding against its consequences, from floods and wildfires to dirty air. Maine Gov. Janet Mills set goals last year for the state to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 45 percent by 2030, 80 percent by 2050, and have no net carbon dioxide emissions by 2045. Meanwhile, Democratic President Biden’s $2 trillion package of social and environmental initiatives is stalled in Congress, leaving the prospect of more federal money to fight climate change uncertain. States, mostly led by Democrats, took on a larger role advancing climate policies during former Republican President Donald Trump’s time in office.