Archives for renewable energy

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 5/8/15

Host: Ron Beard, University of Maine Cooperative Extension
Studio Engineer: Joel Mann

Issue: Community concerns and opportunities

Program Topic: Community Energy: Bringing the lessons from Samso to Maine Islands

Key Discussion Points:
o Where in the world is Samso Island, and why is it important to the islands of Maine? What is the “energy profile” for Maine islands?
o What led to the visit to Samso by representatives from Island Institute, College of the Atlantic and residents from Maine’s islands? (include references to Fund for Maine Islands and II and COA partnership)
o What lessons did you find most compelling to bring back to Maine?
o How are you bringing some of these these lessons to Maine islands?
o College of the Atlantic: Making the campus fossil fuel free, Home energy audits and air sealing, storm window inserts, and more, etc
o Island Institute: Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy, Energy Education and Leadership, Annual island energy conferences, and more, etc
o Projects on Peakes Island, Long Island
o Community Solar project in Bar Harbor
o What are some of the challenges and opportunities you are working with as this collaborative effort goes forward?
o What are some of the small business opportunities that are emerging connected to this work?
o Are there state or federal policy implications for further community and homeowner energy initiatives?
o How can listeners learn more?

Guests:
Anna Demeo, Director of Energy Education and Management, and Lecturer, College of the Atlantic
Saren Peetz, 4th year Student, College of the Atlantic
Suzanne MacDonald, Community Energy Director, Island Institute
Nate Johnson, Long Island Resident, “Renewable Energy Gateway”
Gary Friedmann, Town Council Member, Bar Harbor,

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