Maine State House. Photo: Wangkun Jia via Shutterstock
November 21, 2024 (Portland, ME) – Maine’s Climate Council released the final version of the state’s updated climate action plan. The plan provides recommendations to reduce pollution and is intended to chart a path for the state to slash climate-damaging emissions over time. Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) released the following statement in response.
“State action on climate is more urgent than ever, and transportation remains far and away the biggest source of climate-damaging emissions in the state. Yet the update to the climate action plan disappointingly lets up on goals for clean cars and trucks, and ignores the most critical policy levers for bringing these cost-saving vehicles to our state. Maine cannot rely on rebates to help Mainers get the clean vehicles they deserve while the looming, anti-climate federal administration threatens EV tax credits and funding opportunities,” said Emily K. Green, CLF Acting Vice President for Maine. “The shape of this plan provides good direction to the state, but without concrete action steps, it won’t drive the sort of bold action we need now.”
Maine’s updated climate action plan comes on the heels of the state’s rejection of two standards that would have cut climate-damaging pollution from cars and trucks. The plan is supposed to chart a pathway for curbing pollution, protecting our health, and safeguarding Maine’s environment.
Maine’s last climate action plan was released in 2020. The legislature and governor approved the state’s climate law in 2019, requiring Maine to slash climate-damaging emissions 45 percent by 2030 and 80 percent by 2050. CLF, Sierra Club, and Maine Youth Action sued Maine in April because the state has failed to act on climate change.
CLF experts are available for further comment.
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