We’re All in This Together
Support State-Level (and Federal) Climate Action!
By Peter Dugas
While Citizens Climate Lobby remains laser focused on federal and international climate policy, our volunteers have been proud to support local efforts. This Earth Month, we are working with other groups (Maine Conservation Voters, Natural Resources Council of Maine, Maine Youth for Climate Justice, Conservation Law Foundation, Portland Climate Action Team, and others) to support some exciting legislation coming through Augusta.
We know we cannot achieve an accelerated transition to clean energy and a stabilized climate without federal legislation. Still, Maine lawmakers of both parties are continuing as true leaders in clean energy and climate policy. Maine has long bemoaned the “giant sucking sound” of $4.5 billion leaving our state annually to pay for imported fossil fuel energy. Global events are disrupting energy markets and without action Mainers will struggle under increasingly burdensome electrical rates.
Local action to build energy independence and local generation gives us some insulation from international fossil fuel markets while moving us to cleaner energy.
We’re blessed to live in a state with such beauty and so many lawmakers dedicated to preserving our natural resources. We’re also blessed to have relatively easy access to our lawmakers, who need to hear from constituents. Please ask your state lawmakers to support these bills. Then, tell your friends and family in other parts of Maine to do the same.
Climate Legislation in Maine 2026
LD2112: Community Choice Aggregation gives Maine towns the option to create community choice aggregation programs to secure electricity for residents, similar to how towns currently purchase electricity for municipal needs. Ten states have adopted similar legislation, including New Hampshire and Massachusetts.
LD1830: Make Polluters Pay aims to make major fossil fuel polluters pay for climate change damages. Similar to federal Cashback Carbon Pricing that CCL has long supported, this charges large corporations responsible for over one billion metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions for their damages. Further, it uses the funds for climate resilience, infrastructure, and environmental justice projects to alleviate costs for Maine taxpayers.
LD1730: Balcony Solar Legislation allows small-scale, plug-in solar systems similar to European and Asian markets. While not a replacement to the energy capacity of commercial systems, it does allow greater adoption. It could be a good entry point for folks looking to take the edge off their energy expenses. This is currently being considered in over twenty states, and Utah has been the first state to adopt this legislation.
