Artwork by Ed Nolde, Artist & Sierra Club Maine Volunteer
January 2025
|
New Executive Committee Members Elected!
|
|
In December, the Chapter concluded its annual Executive Committee (ExCom) election. The committee sets Sierra Club Maine's priorities, goals, and strategies which directly impact our state. Thank you to all of our members who voted in this year's ExCom election.
Congratulations to Laura Berry, Philip Mathieu, and Jacob Stern who were elected for another two-year term starting in 2025. And a warm welcome to Grant Provost, Luke Sekera-Flanders, and David Zachow who are joining as new ExCom members.
|
Follow the arrows above: 1. Electricity is generated at Portland Renewable Energy Projects. 2. Electricity goes into grid and Portland pays less per KWH. 3. RECs for that power go to Portland. 4. Portland sells the RECs.
Climate Trust Fund Over the Finish Line
By Bill Weber, Sierra Club Maine Volunteer
|
|
The Portland City Council unanimously passed the Climate Action Fund. For over two years, Portland Climate Action Team (PCAT) has been advocating for a city ordinance that would establish the Fund, a program to direct the resources generated from the sale of the City’s solar Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) to specific climate change mitigation projects.
Now the passage of the fund means new resources can be brought to bear on reducing Portland’s carbon footprint. When the city does sell its RECs, it is expected to receive $300,000 to $400,000 a year. Given that the Trump administration proposes to demolish the climate legislation passed by the Biden administration, local action becomes critical in sustaining any progress on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. These local dollars can’t make-up for the loss of federal funds, so at the same time, we must organize and fight against the proposed federal cuts.
Interested in joining PCAT? Whether you’re an experienced activist or new to the movement, there’s a place for you in PCAT’s efforts to make Portland more sustainable. The team can be found on Facebook or contacted at portlandclimateaction@gmail.com.
|
Ellie Daniels, Green Store owner, stands with two of her fair-trade vendors
Green Store in Belfast a Must Visit
|
Sierra Club Maine was thrilled to table at the Green Store in historic downtown Belfast on November 29th to help them celebrate 31 years! They graciously donated 31% of their sales from that day to Sierra Club Maine.
Ellie Daniels, store manager, has long supported Sierra Club Maine. Over the last several years, she has focused her donation efforts on our chapter, and we could not be more grateful! When local members and volunteers talk about Ellie, it's always with enthusiasm and a smile.
The Green Store is “A general store for the 21st century” with a mission to promote personal and planetary well-being. They provide simple, practical ways to make a positive difference. They sell everything from air and water filters to non-toxic paints and finishes, gardening tools, composting buckets, natural health and beauty supplies, organic baby products and so much more! If you find yourself in the Belfast area, go support this amazing business! You can also shop them online here.
|
Image by Anna Siegel
Calling All Photographers!
|
Calling all photographers! Sierra Club Maine is seeking photos from across the state to feature in our marketing materials. From social media posts to our annual impact report and more—your photo could be featured! Professionals and amateurs alike are encouraged to submit images of Maine landscapes, nature, and wildlife.
Submit your photo here.
|
Image by Oleksandr Pidvalnyi
Estate Planning Is for Everyone
|
Is making an estate plan your new year’s resolution? You’re not alone. More than half of American adults don’t have a will. The new year and the renewed energy it brings is the perfect time to sit down and create a plan for the first time, or review the one you already have.
Estate planning is for everyone. Taking the time to document your wishes can be reassuring and empowering, and allows you to care for the people and causes you hold most dear. If you don’t know where to start, Sierra Club offers free resources to all members and supporters that can help guide the way.
As you’re looking over your plans, you may wish to consider planned giving. As loyal Maine Chapter supporters know, a gift of any size can have a big impact on local work. A planned gift through your will, trust, or beneficiary designation on a retirement account is one way you can invest in the Chapter’s long term future without any impact on your budget now. Continue reading here, or reach out to Julia Curtis at
julia.curtis@sierraclub.org.
|
Photo by MIKI Yoshihito, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Green Tip of the Month:
Give the Snow Blower a Break
By Michael Trombley, Sierra Club Maine Volunteer
|
Three winters ago, I decided to try an experiment: I wanted to see how long I could go without using my snow blower. But why would any sane New Englander do such a thing? The answer is fairly simple. Snow blowers, convenient as they may be, pollute the air in the same way we know leaf blowers to do. The Utah Department of Environmental Quality estimates that “operating a typical 4-stroke gasoline snow blower for one hour emits as much pollution as driving a car 339 miles.”
To avoid this pollution, driveway-owners have a few options. One is to switch to a battery-powered, electric snow blower, either now or down the road when it’s time to replace your gas blower. Since my own driveway is modestly sized, I opted to try a “sleigh shovel” instead, like the ones pictured above. With a sleigh shovel, you push the snow across the driveway, rather than lifting and throwing with a typical shovel. I find the sleigh shovel way easier on my back and muscles, and it doesn’t really take more time or effort than maneuvering a snowblower. Plus, it makes zero noise, and even my kids can use it. In the three years since I gave up the snow blower, I haven’t looked back.
Do you have a green tip that you would like to have included in a future newsletter? Please share it with us here!
|
Here are some of the meetings and events we have coming up. We hope to see you soon!
-
January 8 at 12pm: Volunteer Orientation
-
Learn how you can help protect Maine's environment.
-
Events Team Meetings: Help us organize events to educate and engage Mainers across the state.
-
January 21 at 12pm: Clean Energy Team Meeting
-
Join our team and ensure a clean and just energy future for Maine, specifically focused on renewable energy development!
|
Volunteer With Sierra Club Maine
Interested in helping to protect Maine’s environment? We invite you to join us at our next volunteer orientation— view our events calendar here! No matter your background, we have a role for you—no experience necessary.
We are always looking for photos from across the state to feature in our marketing materials. Professionals and amateurs alike are encouraged to submit images of Maine landscapes, nature, and wildlife. Please submit your photo here.
Questions? Email us at maine.chapter@sierraclub.org.
|
|
| | | | |
