AUGUSTA — Governor Janet Mills has declared Sept. 23 through Sept. 27, 2019 as National Clean Energy Week to encourage individuals, local governments, corporations, and other organizations in Maine to champion renewable energy solutions that create clean energy jobs and mitigate climate change.

“Climate change threatens everything that is fundamental to us as a people and as a state,” said Governor Mills. “Tackling our overreliance on fossil fuels, reducing our carbon emissions, and transitioning our households, businesses and government agencies to renewable energy will create clean energy jobs, strengthen our economy, and mitigate the impacts of climate change. I encourage all Maine people to join with me in observing National Clean Energy Week and recommitting ourselves to a cleaner, greener future.”

Maine is one of 23 states to formally recognize National Clean Energy Week 2019, a press release noted. 

Governor Mills’ proclamation follows the announcement that she will be the first sitting governor of Maine to deliver remarks before the United Nations (UN) about Maine’s effort to fight climate change during the UN Climate Action Summit 2019.

Governor Mills has made tackling climate change and ushering in renewable energy a key priority of her administration, the release noted.

She has signed legislation to increase Maine’s Renewable Portfolio Standard to 80 percent by 2030 and set a goal of 100 percent renewable energy by 2050; set a goal of installing 100,000 new heat pumps by 2025 and expanded availability of electric vehicles; and established mandates to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 45 percent below 1990 levels by 2030 and 80 percent by 2050 and created the bipartisan Maine Climate Council to provide recommendations to meet these targets, according to the release. 

The full text of Governor Mills’ proclamation is below.

WHEREAS, Maine is committed to a clean energy future and enjoys abundant forms of renewable energy that power homes and businesses across the State; and

WHEREAS, the generation of power from renewable sources, including forms such as hydro, wood, wind, and solar, plays an important role in meeting the needs of our homes and businesses; and

WHEREAS, Maine has increased its Renewable Portfolio Standard to 80 percent by 2030 and has a goal of 100 percent renewable energy by 2050; and

WHEREAS, Maine leads New England in wind-powered generation; and

WHEREAS, the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy ranked Maine 14th in its 2018 State Energy Efficiency Scorecard; and

WHEREAS, Maine supports the strategic electrification of heating and transportation, establishing the goal of installing 100,000 new heat pumps by 2025 as well as announcing initiatives to expand availability of electric vehicles and charging infrastructure; and

WHEREAS, Maine has established mandates to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 45 percent below 1990 levels by 2030 and 80 percent by 2050 and created the Maine Climate Council to provide recommendations to meet these targets; and

WHEREAS, Maine’s clean energy jobs grow local economies and boost economic development; and

WHEREAS, National Clean Energy Week provides an opportunity for individuals, local governments, corporations, and other organizations in Maine to champion common sense solutions that address the United States’ evolving economic and energy needs;

NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that I, Janet T. Mills, Governor of the State of Maine, do hereby proclaim September 23rd through September 27th, 2019 as

NATIONAL CLEAN ENERGY WEEK

throughout the State of Maine, and I urge all citizens to recognize this observance.