Maine

Maine Climate Council is on the road to hear feedback from Mainers

Published

1 year ago

September 12, 2024

Maine Climate Council is on the road to hear feedback from Mainers

Hannah Pingree, director of Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future, explains the Maine Climate Council’s mission at a workshop Tuesday at the Lewiston Public Library. Frida Zeinali/Sun Journal

LEWISTON — The Maine Climate Council began its statewide tour Tuesday night at the Lewiston Public Library with a question in mind: “What does successful climate action in Maine mean to you?”

Attendees had a chance to answer that question and others as the council held the first of five workshops this month in an effort to hear Mainers’ concerns about the climate.

The first draft of Maine’s next climate action plan for the next four years, Maine Won’t Wait, was met with criticism for lacking resolve around certain targets, such as transportation emissions. The council is on the road to hear what efforts Mainers want to rally around to combat climate change.

“We have specific goals in law to reduce emissions 45% by 2030 and at least 80% by 2050 to help our state on the path to carbon neutrality,” Hannah Pingree, director of Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future, said. “We need to think about how we prepare our communities, our people, and our economy for the impact of climate.”

“We’re out listening to Maine people. The Maine Climate Council will start deliberating at the end of September,” she said. “All of the feedback we’ve heard from Maine’s people is going to be what we bring to the Maine Climate Council.”

First, the attendees used sticky notes to describe what successful climate action meant for them.

Then, the attendees were asked to take a walk around the library’s Hallett Hall, where the council’s proposed strategies were lined up on boards. After that, they were split into groups with themes to critique the strategies, point out what was most relevant and what was missing.

The strategies were intended to help ease the impact of a variety of climate-related issues. The major themes across the strategies were diverse, from waste and land management, reducing fossil-fueled vehicle traffic to conservation efforts to protect marine habitat and increasing infrastructure for housing and more public transportation.

“I’d say the main reason I’m here tonight is just the severity of the recent storms over the past year. That made me want to be a little more involved,” Paul Josephson said. “Obviously, things have been getting warmer for a long time now.”

The attendees at the first of Maine Climate Council’s action plan workshops, held Tuesday at Lewiston Public Library, were asked to describe successful climate action in Maine. Frida Zeinali/Sun Journal

Once the discussions were over, each group got to report its notes.

“Really doing anything to just take the focus off of cars and put it on pedestrians will go a long way in making public transportation more efficient because less people will simply be taking cars,” said Jon Diotalevi, speaking for his group which had focused on transportation. “We (had) different ideas about how to not encourage cars, like heavier taxes on larger trucks and cars, wider road shoulders for bikers, and more sidewalk shoveling through cities. A lot of it is ‘build it and they’ll come.’”

Another group shared thoughts about energy. “(We didn’t see an item for) providing access to energy efficient programs for renters and ensuring that renters see their benefits as well,” Brian Allen said. “Another item we noted is that the home weatherization effort seems to be lagging. There’s really been no discussion of why that is, but it does seem like a pretty small number of many homes that have been weatherized, maybe 17,000.”

“And the last item wasn’t mentioned, but seems to be worthy of mention, is this idea of signing up for solar shares, which can save you 15% on your electricity bill,” Allen added. “That’s kind of a free, no-cost program that every household should be signed up for.”

The council has four more workshops scheduled this month in Portland, Bangor, Biddeford and Ellsworth. The workshops are open to the public. More information about registration is available at the council’s meeting calendar at maine.gov/future.

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Maine

How the Good Neighbor Day of Giving telethon is impacting Maine’s communities

Published

12 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

How the Good Neighbor Day of Giving telethon is impacting Maine’s communities

BANGOR, Maine (WABI) – Monday’s telethon held by WABI in partnership with Penquis and Heart of Maine United Way Monday raised money for the heating of homes, something so basic, yet so significant in a state like Maine.

Danielle Hewes, Penquis contributor and volunteer, says some people might not even know that they qualify for heating assistance.

“I think there’s this misconception that you can’t get that if you’re working. Like that’s just for people on general assistance. The truth of the matter is this is for the people that are maybe not able to work, but also for the people that are working. They’re making ends meet,” she said.

For Danielle, that’s what makes events like the telethon so special: it’s making a real difference in the community with people who need the help the most.

Speaking about Penquis in particular, she said, “You learn about all of the other things they do and how they help the community and you can’t help but want to be a part of that.”

If you weren’t able to donate Monday, donations are still being accepted.

You can go to homeunitedway.org/heat.

You can also call 941-2800.

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Maine

Arizona Sen. Gallego endorses Maine Senate hopeful Graham Platner

Published

24 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Arizona Sen. Gallego endorses Maine Senate hopeful Graham Platner

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine Democrat Graham Platner has picked up another high-profile endorsement in his bid to flip a key Senate seat blue, marking another sign of the oyster farmer and combat veteran’s political resiliency even as he continues to face controversy throughout his campaign.

Arizona Democrat Ruben Gallego announced Monday that he was backing Platner, saying that the first-time candidate “reflects the grit and independence that defines Maine.”

“Graham Platner is the kind of fighter Maine hasn’t seen in a long time, someone who tells you exactly what he thinks, doesn’t owe anything to the special interests, and wakes up every day thinking about working families,” said Gallego, who won a Senate seat in Arizona in 2024 by more than 2 points while Trump carried the state by nearly 6 points.

Platner has previously been endorsed by Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent who caucuses with Democrats, and New Mexico Sen. Martin Heinrich, a Democrat.

However, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has endorsed Platner’s main opponent, Maine Gov. Janet Mills.

Both Platner, 41, and Mills, 78, are hoping to unseat Republican Sen. Susan Collins, 73, a five-term incumbent who announced last month that she was running for another term. A victory in Maine is crucial for Democrats’ efforts to take back control of the Senate. The Democratic Party needs to net four seats to retake the Senate majority, and they are aiming to do that in Maine, North Carolina, Alaska and Ohio.

READ MORE: Maine’s Graham Platner thinks voters will overlook his past to support a new type of candidate

Platner has gained traction with his anti-establishment image and economic equality message. He’s pressed forward despite controversies over old social media posts and a tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol, which he recently had covered up.

Gallego is among the Democrats named as possible 2028 presidential contenders. Last fall, he stumped in New Jersey, Virginia and Florida, where he campaigned for Democrats who went on to win their elections.

“I have an immense amount of respect for him and I’m looking forward to joining him as a fellow Marine and combat infantryman in the U.S. Senate,” Platner said in a statement.

Kruesi reported from Providence, Rhode Island.

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Maine

Building Hope: A Community Film Event to End Homelessness

Published

1 day ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Building Hope: A Community Film Event to End Homelessness

On March 2, Spurwink will join community partners for a special viewing of Building Hope: Ending Homelessness in Maine at the University of Southern Maine’s McGoldrick Hall.

Directed by Richard Kane and produced by Melody Lewis-Kane, the film shines a compassionate light on the realities of Maine’s homelessness crisis. Through deeply personal stories, Building Hope explores the challenges faced by unhoused individuals and families, while highlighting the hope that emerges when communities come together to create solutions. It’s been praised for its honesty, dignity, and inspiring message: change is possible when we work together.

Following the screening, a panel of local leaders and advocates will discuss the film and the ongoing effort in Maine to end homelessness. Panelists will include Katherine Rodney, Director of Spurwink’s Living Room Crisis Center; Cullen Ryan, Chief Strategic Officer at 3Rivers; Donna Wampole, Assistant Professor of Social Work at USM; and Preble Street staff. Catherine Ryder, Spurwink’s Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives, will bring her expertise in trauma-informed care and community collaboration to the panel as the moderator.

This event is free and open to the public.

McGoldrick Center, USM Portland campus

05:00 PM – 07:30 PM on Mon, 2 Mar 2026

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