Let the Climate Council know we need a bold clean energy plan
May 2020
As a result of measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, our Chapter office is currently closed and no in-person events or outings will occur through at least June 14th. However, we are still at work remotely, continuing our efforts to protect the Maine environment. And we are checking messages daily. For the most timely response, please email maine.chapter@sierraclub.org
We Need a Bold Clean Energy Plan for Maine
You can help by sending a message to the Governor's Climate Council.
The pandemic is having a major impact on economies around the world, including Maine. As we look toward recovery strategies, Sierra Club Maine is advocating for a bold plan that creates a roadmap to a sustainable clean energy economy and a better future for Maine people. Toward that end, the Chapter and its Environmental Priorities Coalition partners are working to ensure a strong climate action plan from the Governor’s Climate Council. Last year, Maine passed a bill to reduce carbon pollution by at least 80 percent before 2050. The Climate Council was formed with various stakeholders tasked with creating a plan to reach our goals. Along with other members of the Environmental Priorities Coalition, we are working to make Maine people more aware of what is happening and to support public engagement. You can help. Please click here and send a message urging the Climate Council to adopt a bold new climate action plan that will strengthen Maine’s economy, reduce air pollution, and build healthy, equitable communities.
Ramping Up the Efforts to Stop the NECEC Transmission Corridor
New anti-transmission corridor e-newsletter is now available.
Sierra Club Maine is partnering with other groups to ramp-up the campaign opposing the proposed New England Clean Energy Connect (NECEC) transmission corridor across western areas of the state. The corridor would bring large-scale hydro generated electricity from Canada to Massachusetts, via Maine. Sierra Club Maine has serious concerns about the environmental impact the of the NECEC transmission line as it crosses 115 streams, 126 wetlands and numerous lakes, and ponds. We also question whether the proposal would actually reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as claimed. In addition, large-scale hydro power from Quebec is neither clean nor green. Megadams destroy carbon-sequestering forests, release methane gas into the atmosphere, and produce toxic methyl mercury that poisons fish—threatening the sustainability of Indigenous communities in Canada. Rather than importing electricity from Canadian megadams, Massachusetts needs to invest in truly green energy sources such as off-shore wind and solar power. Part of the anti-transmission corridor effort will include convincing the various review agencies involved, particularly the Army Corps of Engineers, that the scale of the NECEC plan calls for a full environmental impact statement. Sierra Club Maine volunteers and staff are also working on raising public awareness of this issue, which Maine people will have the opportunity to vote on in November. That public information campaign now includes a new online newsletter published by one of the Chapter's partners—NO CMP Corridor. It will take a major effort to counter the media blitz promoting the NECEC plan. It's reported that the plan's proponents spent $5.045 million in the first three months of 2020 and a total of $7.23 million since October 2019 on its desperate campaign.
Staying Connected While Staying Safe
Sierra Club Maine offers a new opportunity for engagement following Earth Day 2020.
The virtual Earth Day 2020 celebration (April 22-24) was a success. If you weren’t able to take part, the videos of various activities and presentations are posted on the Chapter website. Check them out! Earth Day presented an opportunity for people to stay connected, informed, and to take actions to protect our environment—even as we all deal with the COVID-19 global pandemic. We'll continue to present opportunities for members and friends to be informed and involved. One new opportunity for socially engaging in this period of physical distancing is a biweekly series of community conversations and discussions that you can be part of via ZOOM. Our plans are to turn this series, called Community Conversations, into a vital resource for members and friends to engage on issues in the comfort and safety of your own homes. Join our kitchen table talks with those in the know! Our next Community Conversations is May 19 at 7 p.m. It will feature Meg Sheehan, Coordinator of the North American Megadam Resistance Alliance and Sandra Howard, Director, Say NO to NECEC. Meg will dispel the myth that hydro power is “clean and green.” She’ll explain how megadams and their transmission corridors have direct and irreversible impacts on our rivers and forests while contributing to the ongoing cultural genocide of Indigenous communities in Canada. Sandra will speak about how the Central Maine Power Company transmission corridor will have direct and irreversible impacts on Maine's environment, wildlife habitat, wetlands and waterways, recreational tourism and biomass industry. To RSVP click here.
Here's Another Post-Earth Day Opportunity to Stay Engaged and Learn:
David Gibson of Revision Energy will offer a Home Energy 101 Webinar series beginning May 19 at 1 p.m. David, a Sierra Club Maine executive committee member is hoping to develop the program for schools, but the first one on the 19th will be for general audiences. This is a training program for students and adults. You’ll learn how to conduct a basic home energy assessment and take steps to reduce your family's energy consumption. Please RSVP here.
Elections in the Time of COVID-19
Political campaigning and voting are definitely different in 2020. But your involvement is more important than ever.
With pandemic news dominating the media and public gatherings prohibited, federal and state candidates are working on new ways to get their messages out to voters. One way to learn more about candidates and their positions is to check their websites and Facebook pages. In addition, virtual town halls are being held by candidates, and at least one very informative candidates' forum was hosted recently by a coalition of Maine youth climate action groups. The Sierra Club Political Team is also continuing its work. It has sent out questionnaires to state senate and house candidates to review their records and positions on Chapter priority issues. Please check out our political page for more information. All primary elections are now scheduled for Tuesday, July 14th. Both absentee and in-person voting will be available. If you are a registered voter, you may apply for an absentee ballot to be sent to you when they become available. The registration process has not changed. As in previous elections, some in-person steps are involved, whether you register well ahead of time or on the same day as the election. Information about registration and absentee may be found by clicking here. Please apply for an absentee ballot soon to cover all eventualities. The 2020 elections are perhaps the most important in our lifetime. Vote as though the planet depends on it—it does!
Don't Forget to Protect Yourselves From Lyme Disease
COVID-19 isn't the only health risk we need to protect ourselves from this spring. Here in Maine, ticks are already out and active as our weather warms up. Many Mainers will be heading outside to enjoy nature while maintaining physical distancing. But being outdoors also means putting themselves at risk for tick bites and Lyme disease. May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month in Maine. The best way to avoid getting a tick-borne disease is to prevent being bitten by a tick in the first place! We want to make sure that all of your family members are aware of the increasing risk of ticks and tick-borne disease in Maine so that they can be as safe as possible. For more information please visit the Lyme Disease Awareness Month website.
Passamaqoddy Drum Song Celebrates the Earth
“Blessing of the Creatures” was created to celebrate Earth Day and honor the creatures of the Earth, including we humans. This link will bring you to a 4-minute ‘listening video’ where Passamaquoddy Vera Francis shares the Passamaquoddy Drum Song in a moving weave of Passamaquoddy and English, offering a powerful perspective to our place as humans. Sierra Club Maine was a co-sponsor for the production of the video.
COVID-19 isn't the only health risk we need to protect ourselves from this spring. Here in Maine, ticks are already out and active as our weather warms up. Many Mainers will be heading outside to enjoy nature while maintaining physical distancing. But being outdoors also means putting themselves at risk for tick bites and Lyme disease.