SUPPORTING
POLICY
MCAN is working to advance a transformational climate justice agenda in Maine. Here are some priority policies we have supported to bring equitable, systemic change to our state.
132nd LEGISLATIVE SESSION - 2025
Summary
Of the six pieces of legislation MCAN supported, housing and tribal sovereignty legislation (LD 1710 and LD 2007) showed hopeful steps in the right direction.
Office of New Americans funding in the budget is a great sign that the program will continue despite the legislation itself being carried over to the next legislative session.
We also noticed the many pitfalls for legislation: amendments, the study table, the appropriations table, legislative deadlines, and the Governor’s veto power all prevented forward progress during the 2024 legislative session.
Every piece of legislation we supported passed both the House and State Senate, but, due to these many hurdles, none became law while maintaining the full systemic climate justice changes we hoped for.
Final Breakdown
LD 373 (labor harmony for clean energy projects)
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Passed both chambers, vetoed
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LD 1349 (return lands and waters to Wabanaki)
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Passed both chambers, died on appropriations table
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LD 1667 (place names)
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Passed both chambers, died after it was not signed by Mills on “veto day”
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LD 1710 (HOME act)
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Amended to become a study, then passed both chambers
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LD 2007 (Tribal sovereignty)
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Amended to focus on criminal jurisdiction, then became law
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LD 2167 (Office of New Americans)
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Passed both chambers, then was carried over (but program received funding)
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LD 2261 (Legislative approval requirement for zero-emissions vehicle rules)
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Became law (we opposed)
Tribal Sovereignty
Background
For more than 40 years, the state of Maine has used legislation passed in 1980 to deny the Wabanaki Nations’ inherent tribal sovereignty, excluding them from many rights and protections guaranteed by Federal Indian Law. This has resulted in decades of social and economic barriers for the Wabanaki and surrounding communities.
Both chambers of Maine’s legislature passed tribal sovereignty bills in 2022 and in 2023. Despite overwhelming public and overwhelming and bipartisan legislative support, Gov. Janet Mills has vetoed each of these attempts. In 2024, Wabanaki tribal leadership and the Mills Administration reached a compromise agreement expanding criminal jurisdiction
Housing
Background
Maine has the oldest average housing stock in the United States. Cold winters, a high energy burden, and the ongoing countrywide housing affordability crisis combine to leave many Mainers underserved. MCAN supports weatherization and efficiency programs, transitioning homes to renewable heating sources, and ensuring new buildings are net-zero. MCAN recognizes we don’t have to choose between affordable and climate friendly housing and is excited to work with housing organizations to combat both problems simultaneously.
Intersectional Climate Justice
Background
Climate justice examines how a transition away from an extractive, fossil fuel-based economy can be done in a way where no one is left behind. Concepts that may not seem connected at first glance (social and antiracist justice, transportation, education, energy efficiency, food sovereignty, tribal sovereignty, economic justice, and more) are all tied to the climate crisis and intertwined with each other. You can visit MCAN’s Climate Justice Crash Course to learn more.
Summary
Between January and June of this year (2025), Maine’s legislators met for a regular session and an extended special session. Maine Climate Action Now! submitted written testimony and/or testified in person on twenty total bills this session. You can read our testimony (linked in each bill’s short description) to see why we supported each piece of legislation.
MCAN divided the legislation we supported into four rough categories: Energy Democracy, Just Transition, Tribal Sovereignty, and Transportation.
So what happened to bills we supported over the past year?
Session Breakdown
LD 14 (free access to Maine state parks for Tribal citizens)
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Carried over
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LD 247 (changing place names in Maine)
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Withdrawn by sponsor
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LD 32, LD 257, LD 1321 (changing and/or eliminating net energy billing – we opposed all three). LD 32 was carried over, LD 257 failed out of committee, LD 1321 failed in House/State Senate
LD 487 (planning rail corridor connecting Maine’s metro areas)
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Failed in House/State Senate
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LD 601 (remove referendum requirements for Nuclear Power – we opposed)
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Failed out of committee
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LD 861 (preventing Public Utilities Commissioners and Public Advocate from being hired by companies they regulated)
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Became law
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LD 946 (increasing access and funding for low-income heating and electricity programs)
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Became law
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LD 958 (prohibiting eminent domain on Tribal lands)
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Passed both chambers, but vetoed by Governor Mills
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LD 1073 (strengthening mining laws to improve health and wellbeing of vulnerable populations)
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Failed out of committee
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LD 1138 (reducing transportation-related pollution in alignment with Maine's Climate Action Plan)
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Failed in House/State Senate
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LD 1474 (strengthening Wabanaki Studies teaching)
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Carried over
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LD 1543 (expanding the Green Schools Network)
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Became law
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LD 1674 (requiring insurers to address climate risk)
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Failed out of committee
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LD 1700 (expanding Efficient Maine Green Bank to finance renewable energy)
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Became law
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LD 1868 (updating renewable and clean resource procurement timeline)
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Became law
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LD 1870 (creating the Maine Climate Superfund)
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Carried over
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LD 1940 (revising Growth Management Program laws)
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Failed in House/State Senate
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LD 1949 (Energy Fairness Act)
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Carried over
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LD 1963 (protecting and compensating public utility whistleblowers )
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Failed in House/State Senate
Energy Democracy
(LD 1949), Energy Fairness Act
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This bill was CARRIED OVER to next year.
(LD 1963), requiring a waiting period for utility regulators before joining utilities (LD 861)
Protect and compensate public utility whistleblowers
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These pieces of legislation sought to increase public trust of utility regulation.
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LD 861 became LAW without the Governor’s signature.
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LD 1963 failed in both chambers and is DEAD.
Net energy billing program elimination (LDs 32, 257) and changes (LD 1321) (Oppose)
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These specific pieces of anti-NEB legislation failed in committee and are DEAD.
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However, different changes to Maine’s net energy billing did become law. LD 1777 removes larger-scale solar projects from net energy billing. It instead directs the Governor’s Energy Office to create a new program for these projects.
LD 946, Assess and funding for low-income assistance heating and electricity
LD 1700, Expanding Efficiency Maine to allow for financing of renewable energy
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LD 946 was signed into LAW.
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LD 1700 became LAW without the Governor’s signature.
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Stay tuned for educational events later this year that delve into what unlocking public financing can mean for the renewable energy transition in Maine!
(LD 601) Removing statewide referendum approval of nuclear power
(LD 1868) Updating renewable and clean energy procurement laws ​
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LD 601 failed in both chambers and is DEAD.
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LD 1868 updates Maine’s 2019 goal of 100% renewable electricity by 2050 to 90% by 2040 (+10% from a range of low- and zero-carbon technologies, including hydropower, nuclear, biomethane, and hydrogen in thermal plants). LD 1868 was signed into LAW.
"Polling shows people widely feel that big money, special interests, and self-interested politicians negatively affect our political landscape. In fact, the public perception of governmental and political institutions is at an all-time low. This distrust is fueled by persistent concerns of elected officials choosing financial self-interest over public service, with around 63% of polled Americans believing all or most politicians are motivated by selfishness rather than a genuine desire to serve the people they represent. This is the background in which [this legislation] exists and why it is so important… Our state can help restore public trust by enacting safeguards like [this legislation] to disrupt the revolving door between regulators and the companies they are trusted to regulate. If enforced properly, this legislation will begin healing the divide between large swaths of working people who see their prospects stagnating and special interests who continue amassing wealth at the expense of the public good."
– MCAN Testimony on LD 861 (2025)
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Note: if you want to learn more about Energy Democracy, check out the recordings of our series here! The Energy Fairness Act is discussed in more detail in Episode 3.
Transportation
LD 487, Planning for a rail corridor connecting Portland, Lewiston, and Bangor metro areas
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This legislation failed in the State House and is DEAD.
LD 1138, Aligning Maine’s transportation plan and climate goals
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Notably, the Department of Transportation (DOT) opposed this legislation, writing that it “places a disproportionate emphasis on reducing [vehicle miles traveled) without fully accounting for the importance of maintaining a safe and efficient road system for all users, including [electric vehicles].” DOT also argued they are already doing enough to address climate needs related to transportation.
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The coalition behind LD 1138, led by National Resources Council of Maine, disagrees. Here’s what Josh Caldwell has to say about the progress that still needs to be made regarding transportation in the state. This legislation failed in the State House and is DEAD.
"As a coalition that uses the lens of equity for the work we do, we reached out to coalition
members and asked them how Maine's public transportation system is working for them. We heard a common story: it isn't – from a small land trust to individuals around the state… there are not enough reliable, frequent, wide ranging public bus or other transportation options available for those who either do not own a car or are unable to drive one. From a young adult with challenges who needs van service to get to work or activities, to a college student trying to get to classes, to an organization looking to increase outdoor use of its trails for differently abled folks – none of these users is being served and therefore either have their futures foreclosed or become dependent on being driven in cars. This shouldn't be, as it adds to increased carbon emissions and lessens any opportunity for us all to reduce the state’s greenhouse gas emissions."
– MCAN testimony on LD 1138 (2025)​
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Just Transition
LD 1073, Changing mining laws to protect vulnerable populations
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Notably, Maine’s Department of Environmental Protection opposed this legislation, arguing Maine’s mining laws are already “often characterized as the most environmentally protective approach to regulating metallic mineral mining in the country, other than a total prohibition” and worrying this legislation would create unnecessary redundancy.
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The bill’s sponsor Ambureen Rana disagrees, arguing “The story of Maine's most environmentally protective metallic mining regulations in the country is, to date, an untested one with a significant vulnerability, as it does not include clear public health warnings, guidelines and protections.”
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This legislation received a unanimous “ought not to pass” vote in the committee and is DEAD.
LD 1543, Establishing the Green Schools Network
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This legislation became LAW without the Governor’s signature.
LD 1674, Requiring insurers to address climate risk in business models
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This legislation received a unanimous “ought not to pass” vote in committee and is DEAD.
LD 1870, Creating a Maine climate superfund
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This legislation was CARRIED OVER to next year
LD 1940, Updating growth management programs for Maine's communities
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This legislation failed in the State House and is DEAD.
"In 2015, investigative journalists uncovered internal company documents showing that Exxon scientists have been warning their executives about “potentially catastrophic” [human-caused] global warming since at least 1977. Researchers and journalists have subsequently unearthed additional documents showing that the US oil and gas industry writ large… has been aware [of this issue] since at least the 1950s. Coincidentally, the 1950s also saw the invention of the “You break it, you bought it!” sign. Today, these signs are in lots of stores and reinforce our gut understanding that the people who caused problems should be responsible for fixing them. If this mindset applies to something as small as a dropped item in a pottery shop, it should certainly apply when the future of the entire planet and humanity is at risk. To me, this is the guiding principle that leads me to support [this legislation]. We can no longer afford to clean up damages that someone else is responsible for."
– MCAN testimony on LD 1870 (2025)
Tribal Sovereignty
LD 14, Providing free access to tribal citizens to Maine state parks
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This legislation was CARRIED OVER to next year.
LD 247, Changing place names in the state
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This legislation was withdrawn by its sponsor and is DEAD.
LD 959, Prohibiting eminent domain on Tribal lands
This legislation passed both chambers but was VETOED by Governor Mills in a continuation of her hostile stance to many bills related to Tribal Sovereignty. The veto was sustained. As a result, LD 959 is DEAD.
LD 1474, Strengthening Wabanaki Studies
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This legislation was CARRIED OVER to next year.
"MCAN stands in solidarity with the Penobscot Nation, the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians and the Mi’kmaq Nation and recognizes there is no climate or environmental justice without the inclusion of the tribes. The Wabanaki Nations have a history of stewardship of natural resources and the land, and must have the right to manage the lands, waters, and resources they hold as sacred and traditionally significant"
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- MCAN Testimony on LD 1349 (2023)
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Note: here is the tracker for all bills supported by the Wabanaki Alliance this past session.
ONGOING CLIMATE JUSTICE ADVOCACY
Tribal Sovereignty
For more than 40 years, the state of Maine has used legislation passed in 1980 to deny the Wabanaki Nations’ inherent tribal sovereignty, excluding them from many rights and protections guaranteed by Federal Indian Law. This has resulted in decades of social and economic barriers for the Wabanaki and surrounding communities.
Both chambers of Maine’s legislature passed tribal sovereignty bills in 2022 and in 2023. Despite overwhelming public and overwhelming and bipartisan legislative support, Gov. Janet Mills has vetoed each of these attempts. In 2024, Wabanaki tribal leadership and the Mills Administration reached a compromise agreement expanding criminal jurisdiction rather than implementing the full task force recommendations.
Transportation
Join with allies to focus on increasing public transportation and reducing transportation emissions by transitioning away from gas-powered vehicles.
Nearly half of Maine’s climate emissions come from the transportation sector. MCAN recognizes increasing public transit is a large part of the solution to reducing our emissions as well as bringing community benefits statewide, especially to rural Mainers. MCAN looks forward to working with public transportation advocates to simultaneously help the state curb its transportation emissions and reduce the sense of isolation many Mainers feel across this geographically large state.
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Related legislation: MCAN testimony on LD 401 (2023) An Act to Improve Transportation in Maine
Housing
Maine has the oldest average housing stock in the United States. Cold winters, a high energy burden, and the ongoing countrywide housing affordability crisis combine to leave many Mainers underserved. MCAN supports weatherization and efficiency programs, transitioning homes to renewable heating sources, and ensuring new buildings are net-zero. MCAN recognizes we don’t have to choose between affordable and climate friendly housing and is excited to work with housing organizations to combat both problems simultaneously.
Just Transition
Offshore Wind
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Work in coalition to bring the offshore wind and port process and education to Maine stakeholders through educational events and community conversations.
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Offshore wind has the power to transition our state away from fossil fuel dependency. Our proximity to the Gulf of Maine provides much potential for the state to construct, maintain, and benefit from floating offshore wind power.
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In 2023, Maine’s Legislature passed a bill to develop offshore wind and ports with strong environmental and labor standards. This legislation also incentivizes wind developers to build outside Lobster Management Area 1, where most lobstering takes place in the Gulf of Maine.
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Divestment
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MCAN collaborates as part of the intergenerational team urging the Maine Public Employee Retirement System to divest its holdings from fossil fuels in accordance with signed law (LD99).
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In 2021, Maine passed legislation that requires its public employee retirement fund (MainePERS) to divest the 1.2 billion of pension funds currently tied up in industries which directly fuel the climate crisis.
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MainePERS has not listened. They are taking an overly cautious approach to divestment that conflicts with the timeline that science and justice require. To make matters worse, they are using vague language and not explicitly committing to forgoing new fossil fuel investments.
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Pine Tree Amendment
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The Pine Tree Amendment (PTA) adds language to the Bill of Rights in the Maine Constitution that will protect the rights of all people in the state, including present and future generations, to a clean and healthy environment and to the preservation of the natural, cultural and healthful qualities of the environment.
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The PTA serves as a check on government authority and makes clear the government's duty to protect the state’s natural resources.
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MCAN continues to support this amendment and is looking forward to working with a coalition in the upcoming years to continue our support of this goal.
Intersectional Climate Justice
Climate justice examines how a transition away from an extractive, fossil fuel-based economy can be done in a way where no one is left behind. Concepts that may not seem connected at first glance (social and antiracist justice, transportation, education, energy efficiency, food sovereignty, tribal sovereignty, economic justice, and more) are all tied to the climate crisis and intertwined with each other. You can visit MCAN’s Climate Justice Crash Course to learn more.
PAST LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS
2024
LD 373 planned to require companies leasing state-owned land for clean energy projects to negotiate with unions and ensure strong labor standards for these projects. The immediate applicability for this legislation would be for the construction and operation of an offshore wind port. MCAN Testimony.
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Passed both chambers, then was vetoed. ​​
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LD 1349 planned to initiate land return to the Wabanaki and identify co-management opportunities between the State of Maine and Wabanaki tribes. After passing both chambers, the legislation landed on the appropriations table. It was still on the table when the legislature adjourned, effectively killing the legislation. MCAN testimony on LD 1349
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Passed both chambers, died on appropriations table.
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LD 2261 defined future rules adopted by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) regarding new motor vehicle emission standards (including rules to establish zero-emission requirements) as major substantive rules. MCAN opposed this bill.
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Passed and became law.​
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LD 1710 planned to help increase the supply of affordable housing by requiring landlords with over ten units to make at least 10% are affordable housing. This legislation was substantially amended, instead creating a 14-person commission to uncover income-based housing discrimination and incentivize landlords to rent to tenants reliant on vouchers or other forms of income-based assistance. MIRC testimony on LD 1710
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Amended to become a study, then passed both chambers.
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LD 1540 planned to invest $15 million in a rental assistant pilot program that would provide $300 per month of aid to struggling tenants. LD 1540 was still on the appropriations table after being carried over from 2023 and unfortunately remained on the table when the legislature adjourned this year, effectively killing the legislation.
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LD 2007, compromise legislation between Wabanaki leaders and the Mills Administration on some aspects of tribal sovereignty. MCAN testimony on LD 2007
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Passed both chambers earlier this month and became law.
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LD 1667 planned to create a process where Maine citizens could address problematic, harmful, racist, and/or derogatory place names in their communities. This bill planned to create a Maine Board on Place Names with the responsibility to make recommendations about renaming Maine features. MCAN testimony on LD 1667.
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Passed both chambers, then vetoed with 34 other bills.
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LD 2167 planned to support New Mainers by strengthening English-language learning opportunities, building workforce pathways and entrepreneur support, streamlining the work already being done to support immigrants and refugees, and improving Maine’s data about these populations. Governor Mills had created Maine’s Office of New Americans through executive action in 2023. MCAN and MIRC supported this program through legislative testimony.
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Passed both chambers, then was carried over (but program received funding).
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LD 2261 (Legislative approval requirement for zero-emissions vehicle rules)
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Became law (MCAN opposed).
2023
MCAN Testimony on LD 78 (2023), RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine to Require All Provisions in the Constitution to Be Included in the Official Printing
MCAN testimony on LD 2004 (2023) An Act to Restore Access to Federal Laws Beneficial to the Wabanaki Nations
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Passed both chambers of the Legislature, but failed after Gov. Mills vetoed and the House did not reach the â…” majority threshold needed to override.
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MCAN Testimony on LD 2, An Act to Address Chronic Homelessness by Creating the Housing First Fund
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LD 2 Passed but did not receive funding.
MCAN Testimony on LD 3, An Act to Establish the Winter Energy Relief Payment Program to Aid Residents with High Heating Costs
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LD 3 Passed
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MCAN Testimony on LD 1559, An Act to Advance the State's Public Transit Systems by Reinvigorating the Public Transit Advisory Council
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LD 1559 Passed and became law.
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MCAN Testimony on LD 259 An Act Making Unified Allocations from the Highway Fund … (support for public transit)
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LD 259 Passed
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MCAN Testimony on LD 258, An Act Making Unified Appropriations and Allocations from the General Fund (in support of funding rural rental program)
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LD 258 Passed
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MCAN testimony on LD 1895, An Act Regarding the Procurement of Energy from Offshore
Wind Resources
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LD 1895 Passed and became law.
​LD 1708, An Act To Create the Pine Tree Power Company, a Nonprofit Utility, To Deliver Lower Rates, Reliability and Local Control for Maine Energy Independence, passed both the House and Senate in 2021 but was vetoed by Governor Mills. MCAN supported the Pine Tree Power campaign and helped gather enough signatures to put a referendum on the ballot.
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Unfortunately, Maine voters rejected the referendum, allowing CMP and Versant to remain in power. We will continue to educate Mainers on the benefits of a consumer-owned utility and work towards justice and transparency for ratepayers.
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MCAN Testimony for LD 1611, An Act to Create the Pine Tree Power Company, a Nonprofit, Customer-owned Utility.
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Did not pass.
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MCAN Testimony on LD 1562, An Act to Protect the Retirement of State Employees and Teachers by Establishing Standards for Fiduciary Responsibility (would have undermined LD 99 Divestment law - MCAN testified Ought Not to Pass)
2022
MCAN's testimony on LD 906, An Act to Provide Passamaquoddy Tribal Members Access to Clean Water
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Signed into law, 2022.
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MCAN's testimony on LD 1902, Resolve, to Establish a Pilot Program to Encourage Climate Education in Maine Public Schools
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LD 1639, An Act to Protect the Health and Welfare of Maine Communities and Reduce Harmful Solid Waste. Read MCAN Director, Amy’s 350 Maine testimony here (not submitted through MCAN)
LD 1659, An Act to Create the Maine Clean Energy and Sustainability Accelerator
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Signed into law, 2021.
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LD 99, An Act to Require the State to Divest Itself of Assets in the Fossil Fuel Industry.
Read Cassie’s 350 Maine + MYCJ testimony here. (Not submitted through MCAN)
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Signed into law, 2021.
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LD 437, An Act to Establish the Maine Healthy Soils Program
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Signed into law, 2021.
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