BANGOR DAILY NEWS • January 22, 2024
Maine lawmakers mulling how to help coastal communities devastated by back-to-back storms this month are airing ideas that are shaped by partisan splits on climate change. Democrats want to boost clean energy and climate resiliency investments for coastal communities, while Republicans wary of new programs and taxes are eyeing money from any budget surplus to create a relief fund. Gov. Janet Mills, a Democrat, said the state first wants to see how much federal funding is available for help. The clock is ticking. Maine’s long-term energy plans — ranging from offshore wind and electric vehicles to natural gas pipelines — are hardly uniting lawmakers.