Archives for A Climate to Thrive

RadioActive 2/28/19

Producer/Host: Meredith DeFrancesco

Combating Climate Change: Local and State Initiatives to Shift to Renewable Energy by 2030

a) Today we turn again to local and state initiatives to combat climate change. We speak with Gary Friedmann, of the Mount Desert Island organization A Climate to Thrive, on progress on MDI and on the work of the Maine Climate Action Coalition to shift Maine to 100% renewable energy by 2030.

b) Close to 200 bills related to climate will be before the Maine Legislature this session.
LD 658,?Reslove, To Direct a Plan for Energy Independence for Maine, Sponsored by Rep. Brian Hubbell had a hearing February 26th. Three bills will will receive a public hearing on March 13th. They are LD 893, 818 and 797.
www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_129th/billtexts/SP025901.asp
www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_129th/billtexts/SP025401.asp
www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_129th/billtexts/HP058501.asp

On February 28th, Governor Mills announced that Maine has become the 22nd state to join the United States Climate Alliance, whose members have committed to the Paris Agreement greenhouse gas emission reductions. Mills also announced the administration’s proposal for the Maine Climate Council, which would aim to shift the state to 80% renewables by 2030 and 100% by 2050.

c) Friedmann believes the bills to be heard on March 13th are a start, but must go further. He is not supportive of the CMP transmission line, and cautions care with wind projects. He does believe a dramatic acceleration of renewables and conservation in all sectors, including subsidized decentralized solar, will make the imperative goal of a 100% energy shift by 2030 attainable.

Guest:
Gary Freidmann, A Climate to Thrive board chair; Maine Climate Action Coalition; Chair of Bar Harbor Town Council www.aclimatetothrive.org/

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Talk of the Towns 5/11/18

Producer/Host: Ron Beard, University of Maine Cooperative Extension
Engineer: Amy Browne

Community concerns and opportunities: Electric Vehicle Charging Stations are on their way

What is the background on all-electric vehicles? How do they work?
Why is this move to electric vehicles so important to the climate?
How do we know that electricity for electric vehicles is “clean”?
What trends in electric vehicle use are you seeing in Maine?
What led to your program to install 4-6 public charging stations in the Downeast Region in coming months?
How do charging stations work… what equipment is needed?
What is the role of municipal or non-profit hosts? What benefit do they derive from participating?
How does involvement in projects like A Climate to Thrive aid in positive mental health and building a sense of hope?

Guests:
Gordon Beck, A Climate to Thrive, Mount Desert Island
Dennis Kiley, A Climate to Thrive, Mount Desert Island
Scott Vlaun, The Center for Ecology-Based Economy, Western Maine

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Talk of the Towns 5/12/17

Host: Ron Beard, Emeritus Professor, University of Maine
Studio Engineer: Amy Browne

Issue: Community concerns and opportunities

Program Topic: A Climate to Thrive seeks energy independence for Mount Desert Island

Key Discussion Points:

1. A climate to thrive is working on “energy independence” by 2030… what does that mean? What is most compelling about solar energy in the pursuit of energy independence?
2. What are the main elements of your solar work, including Solarize MDI?
3. What is the Community Energy Center at College of the Atlantic, and what projects does it carry out?
4. What are some of the barriers facing community solar initiatives? How are you working to surmount those barriers? A Recent Maine PUC Ruling is negative long-term but provides an incentive for installing solar in 2017.
5. What advice do you have for listeners in other communities?
6. Given your longer term vision of energy independence, what are your mid-term hopes… what would you like to see happening over the next five years.

Guests:
Joe Blotnick, Coordinator, A Climate to Thrive
Gary Friedmann, Chair, A Climate to Thrive Advisory Board, Town Councilor, Bar Harbor
Anna Demeo, College of the Atlantic, Director of Energy Education and Management

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