Municipal solar guidance. As a reminder, several Maine nonprofits, engineers, and solar developers have developed new resources to help Maine towns invest in and benefit from municipal solar. These materials were mailed to all Maine town managers and planning board chairs in early September. Another resource for municipal governments interested in investing in solar is the US Department of Energy’s SolSmart program. The program offers free technical assistance to communities who can become SolSmart designated by meeting certain criteria. The program team has also produced hundreds of resources that are perfect for local governments who are just trying to learn more about solar. To date, nearly 400 communities have been Solsmart designated, but Maine is one of just 7 states that have no designated communities. If you know of a community that you think might be interested in SolSmart, please refer them to Toyah Barigye at Tbarigye@solarfound.org.
Municipal Solar Forum: Have questions about how your town can take advantage of solar? Please join NRCM, GPCOG, and SMPDC for an online forum about municipal solar in Maine on Thursday, October 22 from 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. Learn from and get your questions answered by Maine developers, town officials, planners, and nonprofits. Poster attached. Space is limited so please register today.
Maine Climate Council meetings: Tune in to the next meeting of the Maine Climate Council on Wednesday, October 21 from 9:00 a.m. – 12 noon. Advanced registration required. The Maine Climate Council is developing a statewide Climate Action Plan, Due December 1 to the Maine legislature, to grow Maine’s economy by reducing carbon pollution 45% below 1990 levels by 2030 and at least 80% by 2050. They are considering many issues top of mind for Maine municipalities including flooding, erosion, emergency management, adaptation, electrifying heating and transportation, and much more.
Post-Meeting analysis: Once the October Maine Climate Council meetings wrap up, please join Maine’s conservation community on Thursday, October 29 from 12:00 noon – 1:00 p.m. for an analysis and discussion of key takeaways and our top policy recommendations for the state’s Climate Action Plan. Learn more and sign up today.
-Todd Martin
Outreach Coordinator
Natural Resources Council of Maine