Welcome to the Freeport Climate Action Team!
The first goal the group has been working on has been to get a community solar farm (CSF) started. Our first priority was education (with two meetings to educate ourselves) in January and February. We have selected an installer and have met with them as we speak to different landowners for possible sites. Once we confirm a location we will begin to hold public meetings to educate the public about a CSF. We have had one article in the local newspaper and are in regular contact with the local paper. We have had Sara Gideon speak at the Freeport Community Library (0ver 50 in attendance) about her solar bill in the Maine Legislature and are organizing to build support for it through letters, emails and showing up in person at the Energy Committee hearing. “Freeport can be a real climate change leader in the state. We have the resources and great people in this town to bring about policy changes that pave the way to a cleaner, healthier reduced fossil fuel future. And there are lots of things Freeport can do to provide leadership and put our name on the map for more than a commercial haven. Make Freeport a Green Town.”
The Freeport CAT has been quite successful. Their community solar project is up and running. You can see it on the right side of 295 going north between Freeport and Brunswick on the Idyll Motor Court property. Their 2nd project of working on banning the usage of plastic bags was in the news on April 26, 2016. "If a ban were approved, Freeport would be the second town in the state, after York, to prohibit disposable bags as a way to reduce litter andplastic waste." PPH 4/26/16. Other communities, including Falmouth, Portland, and South Portland have imposed a fee on the bags to encourage consumers to bring their own reusable bags.
The team mounted a campaign to make sure their plastic bag initiative passed. On June 14, 2016 Freeport voters approved the ban by a wide margin.
For more information please contact Sukie Rice.
Freeport Climate Action Team Marching for Solar in the local July 4th Parade: