PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • October 3, 2023
Five candidates vying to become Portland’s next mayor debated Tuesday over the city’s top challenges, including climate change. Andrew Zarro said he has been working with Central Maine Power Co. and Sen. Angus King’s office on a proposal to upgrade the city’s electrical grid and triple its capacity to switch to electricity generated by renewables. Pious Ali floated several proposals – creating a municipal, consumer-owned utility company, adopting a carbon impact fee and strengthening the Green New Deal. Mark Dion said he would start by planting trees and looking for ways to protect Commercial Street and the Back Cove from rising sea levels. Dylan Pugh, who works at the Gulf of Maine Research Institute, said he would commission a vulnerability study so the city can mitigate the impacts of climate change, making it a priority to protect the working waterfront. Justin Costa said he would continue efforts to expand electric vehicle charging stations.