Federal and State Funds to Support Maine Climate Action Plan’s Transportation and Broadband Goals

Last week, the Maine Governor’s Energy Office (GEO) and Office of Policy Innovation and the Future jointly presented to the Legislature’s Energy, Utilities, and Technology (EUT) Committee a report outlining a four-year funding plan for Maine’s climate action plan. As required by 38 M.R.S. § 576‑A, Maine’s climate action plan, “Maine Won’t Wait,” sets the State on a path to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 45% as of 2030, and for 80% reductions by 2050.

The four-year funding report, entitled New Funding Proposals to Support Climate Action, identifies how three recently approved funding streams will help Maine achieve its climate change mitigation and adaptation targets:

1. The Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan for over $1 billion in federal relief funds;
2. $140 million bond package presented by Governor Mills; and
3. State of Maine Supplemental Budget (FY 2022-2023)

Among other priorities, the electrification of the transportation sector is the focus for over $160M of the Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan, including the following three initiatives:

1. Establishing the Maine Connectivity Authority to ensure universal access to broadband ($150M);
2. Launching a workforce transportation pilot ($5M); and
3. Expanding municipal and public electric vehicle charging stations ($8M)

The Governor’s bond package and the State’s Supplemental Budget also fund climate change adaptation and mitigation investments in improving rural transit, broadband, and land and water conservation.

A summary of the GEO’s and Office of Policy Innovation and the Future’s presentation to the EUT is available here.