A Session Reflection
Last month, the legislature completed its work for the 2020-2022 session. After many long days and difficult conversations, we found bipartisan compromises to benefit Mainers today and for years to come.
From funding the $850 direct relief checks that will be sent to over 850,000 tax filers beginning next month to establishing the Education Stabilization Fund so that the state can continue to pay its fair share of education costs into the future, reducing the burden on municipalities and property tax payers, we have done a lot of good for Maine people.
For my part, I was proud to have contributed to moving the needle on many important issues related to our environment this year.
We all know that the well-being of our people and economy depend on the health of the environment and natural resources. That’s why it is a privilege to serve on the Legislature’s Environment and Natural Resources Committee and to help develop legislation related to lowering greenhouse gas emissions, supporting climate resiliency projects and mitigating pollution. Because issues relating to our environment are so fundamental to the functioning of our society, it has been heartwarming to see other committees take on these issues, as well.
As I’ve mentioned previously, my committee worked on legislation to reduce the amount of harmful solid waste in Maine, address PFAS in our environment and establish the Maine Climate Corps, a service program for young people in Maine to work on projects that lower greenhouse gas emissions and make communities more resilient to climate change. Each of these measures have become law and will go into effect in the coming months.
Other committees took unique approaches to contributing to our stated climate goals. The Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee also took on PFAS by working with Gov. Janet Mills and the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee to secure short-term and long-term funding, leveraging federal dollars, to support farmers impacted by PFAS contamination.
The Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee took on climate change by passing legislation that would establish the Maine Green Bank. Green banks aren’t traditional banks, but rather quasi-public entities designed to attract private investment. That leveraged money can fund clean energy and climate resiliency initiatives including insulation, solar panels, heat pumps, electric vehicles, battery storage and climate-resilient infrastructure.
Because the Maine Green Bank is mission-driven, it has the capacity to focus on underserved communities across the state. Initiatives like this help establish a holistic framework for addressing our climate crisis.
The Labor and Housing Committee also capitalized on their expertise to help advance Maine’s climate goals. One measure established a framework for building out Maine’s renewable energy workforce by attaching labor standards and goals to state funded clean energy projects. It additionally created a certified pre-apprenticeship program which will be key in training the next generation of Mainers skilled at all the tasks necessary for building clean energy infrastructure.
A comprehensive measure like this will ensure that our new renewable energy industry is ready, well trained and sustainable, enabling our state to make real progress on our ambitious climate goals.
Other legislative committees and agencies within our state government have been working hard to address climate change over the course of the past two years. I look forward to sharing more about what we are doing on the state level and what new support is available to local communities interested in climate resiliency in the coming months.
As always, don’t hesitate to reach out with questions or concerns or to chat about ideas that you might have for ways we can address this issue, or any others impacting our community.
Rep. Jim Boyle, D-Gorham, is serving his first term in the Maine House of Representatives and previously served two years in the Maine State Senate. He is a member of the Environment and Natural Resources Committee. Contact him at Jim.Boyle@legislature.maine.gov.