MAINE MONITOR • May 17, 2024
Many states and cities — Maine and Portland included — are now in the third or fourth year of ambitious climate action plans. These roadmaps pledge steep cuts in emissions, large expansions of renewable energy, bold adaptations to guard against the effects of extreme weather and more. But climate action is easier said than done. As communities hit the adolescence of their decarbonization and adaptation efforts, the challenges of sustained action — and the funds needed to support it — are coming into focus. Portland wants to create a “climate trust fund,” putting proceeds from the sale of renewable energy credits from city-owned solar farms (among other funding sources) toward consulting work and other up-front costs to accelerate climate progress.