WASHINGTON—Top members of the Maine legislature have asked the state’s congressional delegation to support a bill moving through Congress that would create a national green bank.
In a letter to Sen. Susan Collins, Sen. Angus King, Rep. Chellie Pingree and Rep. Jared Golden, the 33 state legislators urge the delegation to back H.R. 806 and S. 283 that would provide $100 billion for a nonprofit Clean Energy and Sustainability Accelerator. The nonprofit would not only fund clean energy projects across the country, but also provide the seed capital for a Maine green bank that legislators are currently working to create.
Rep. Pingree has since cosponsored H.R. 806.
“Immediate economic relief is essential in this crisis, but so too is the opportunity to build the infrastructure to generate, store and use clean and efficient energy. This is an investment that will bring good jobs for Maine people, lower energy costs and fewer greenhouse gas emissions,” wrote the Speaker of the House and 32 other lawmakers. “The proposed measures before Congress will fund the expansion of existing green banks and help form new models at state and local levels. This is timely, as the 130th Maine Legislature will consider a proposal to establish a green bank in the coming weeks. Should both measures pass, Maine would see significant benefits from securing federal dollars.”
With a capitalization of $240 million, the Maine green bank would create an estimated 10,000 jobs over the next four years. Many of the jobs would be converting homes in Maine from fuel oil to cheaper and cleaner heating systems.
Added the lawmakers: “Low-income Mainers spend a larger proportional amount on their energy needs, and too often energy efficient upgrades or new projects are out of reach. The green bank model would be a game changer.”
Last year, the U.S. House of Representatives twice passed funding for the nonprofit accelerator that would help achieve the decarbonization and ESG goals discussed above while also helping to create and fund state and local green banks. President-elect Joe Biden included the Accelerator in his climate plan and Vice-President Elect Kamala Harris backed the Senate effort. In 2020, nearly 100 organizations sent a letter to Congressional leaders backing the effort.
Green banks currently exist in more than 14 cities and states across the country and have supported over $5 billion in investment in clean energy projects in their states and local communities, and much of this investment has been targeted toward low- and moderate-income households and communities. View a list of projects that have been supported by already existing state and local green banks.
Read the entire letter below or online:
Dear Senator Collins, Senator King, Representative Pingree and Representative Golden:
We, a group of lawmakers in the 130th Maine Legislature, ask that you support H.R. 806, introduced by Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-12), and S.283, introduced by Senator Ed Markey (D-MA).
The Clean Energy and Sustainability Accelerator is a vehicle for investment to build and improve clean energy infrastructure. Also known as the “green bank” model, these efforts have been proven at the state and local levels. Florida, Michigan, Ohio, Connecticut, Colorado and Hawaii have established and seen success with their green bank models.
The proposed measures before Congress will fund the expansion of existing green banks and help form new models at state and local levels. This is timely, as the 130th Maine Legislature will consider a proposal to establish a green bank in the coming weeks. Should both measures pass, Maine would see significant benefits from securing federal dollars.
The Clean Energy and Sustainability Accelerator would require at least [40] percent of all investments go to frontline, low-income and climate impacted communities. Low-income Mainers spend a larger proportional amount on their energy needs, and too often energy efficient upgrades or new projects are out of reach. The green bank model would be a game changer.
Immediate economic relief is essential in this crisis, but so too is the opportunity to build the infrastructure to generate, store and use clean and efficient energy. This is an investment that will bring good jobs for Maine people, lower energy costs and fewer greenhouse gas emissions.
We look forward to your support, and we stand ready to answer any questions or provide additional information for you.
Thank you for your service to the people of Maine and for considering our request.
Sincerely,
S. Paige Zeigler, State Representative
Ryan Fecteau, Speaker of the House
Michelle Dunphy, House Majority Leader
Rachel Talbot Ross, Assistant House Majority Leader
Poppy Arford, State Representative
Arthur Bell, State Representative
Seth Berry, State Representative
Heidi Brooks, State Representative
Kristen Cloutier, State Representative
Benjamin Collings, State Representative
Lydia Crafts, State Representative
Margaret Craven, State Representative
Scott Cuddy, State Representative
Donna Doore, State Representative
Vicki Doudera, State Representative
Valli Geiger, State Representative
Lori Gramlich, State Representative
Nicole Grohoski, State Representative
Allison Hepler, State Representative
Grayson Lookner, State Representative
Kristi Mathieson, State Representative
Laurie Osher, State Representative
Morgan Rielly, State Representative
Tiffany Roberts, State Representative
Holly Stover, State Representative
Sophie Warren, State Representative
Charlotte Warren, State Representative
Donna Bailey, State Senator
Stacy Brenner, State Senator
Chip Curry, State Senator
Nathan Libby, State Senator
Chloe Maxmin, State Senator
Heather Sanborn, State Senator