Protecting Maine's Environment, Advancing Renewable Energy & Combatting Climate Change:
- Replenished the Land for Maine's Future Program: Governor Mills made the largest allocation of funds to the LMF program since 1999 which, to date, has supported nearly 100 conservation projects and preserved about 90,000 acres across the state of Maine.
- Supported Wildlife Conservation: Governor Mills established funding dedicated specifically to fisheries conservation and enhancement of sportfish and native fish, including maintaining and enhancing existing management programs. Maine is the last stronghold in the eastern United States for native brook trout and native arctic charr.
- Joined the U.S. Climate Alliance: Maine joined the U.S. Climate Alliance and Governor Mills became its Co-Chair, for a time leading that coalition of 24 governors which represents more than half of our country's population and economy.
- Established the Maine Climate Council: Governor Mills created the Council -- an assembly of scientists, industry leaders, bipartisan local and state officials, and engaged citizens -- to develop a decisive climate action plan, called Maine Won't Wait, to reduce carbon emissions and ensure our economy and communities are better prepared for the increasing impacts of climate change.
- Led the nation in the transition to energy efficient technology: Governor Mills set and then exceeded the goal of installing 100,000 heat pumps statewide and set a new, more ambitious target of installing 275,000 heat pumps by 2027.
- Surpassed Renewable Energy Goals: In 2023, Maine crossed the threshold of using more than 50 percent of its electricity from renewable sources. Governor Mills has announced a new accelerated goal of 100 percent clean energy by 2040.
- Built New Homes with Energy Efficient Technology: Under the Mills Administration, nearly 1,000 homes have been built or renovated with energy efficient technology and with sustainable building materials, like Maine-made wood-fiber insulation, which is bringing down heating costs.
- Reduced Heating Costs for Maine People: Thanks to those efforts, Maine's dependence on heating oil has fallen from 70 percent of Maine households in 2010 to just over 50 percent in 2023, saving Maine people money on their heating bills.
- Reduced Transportation Costs for Maine People: Maine has also steadily increased electric vehicles on the road to more than 17,000 and built electric vehicle charging infrastructure to more than 1,000 ports statewide, reducing the amount that Maine people must spend on expensive gas.
- Strengthened Clean Energy Economy: Under Governor Mills' leadership, Maine has added more than 2 gigawatts of clean energy from hundreds of small solar, hydro, and battery projects, as well as from larger projects like Downeast Wind in Columbia Falls and Three Corners in Unity. Right now, more than 15,600 people have good-paying jobs in the clean energy sector in Maine.
- Established Maine's first cabinet-level energy department: Governor Mills established the Maine Department of Energy Resources to promote affordable, reliable, and cleaner energy for Maine.
- Delivered historic storm relief: Following the storms of late 2023 and early 2024, Governor Mills worked with the legislature to deliver a historic $60 million in storm relief to rebuild working waterfronts, help damaged inland businesses and build stronger infrastructure to withstand extreme weather.
- Enhanced Emergency Planning: With the support of Democratic and Republican Legislative leadership, Governor Mills introduced and passed L.D. 1 to enhance emergency planning at all levels, to prepare communities for severe weather and reduce storm-related risks for Maine homeowners and businesses.
- Launched the Community Resilience Partnership: Governor Mills created the Partnership to fund climate actions by cities and towns and tribal governments across Maine. Since it was created in 2021, the Partnership has grown to include 267 communities across Maine.
- Protected Against PFAS: Governor Mills has worked with the Legislature to dedicate more than $100 million over the past several years to reduce PFAS contamination in Maine and to protect the health of our people, our wildlife, and our environment.
- Maine Won't Wait: In her first year in office, Governor Mills told the world's leaders at the United Nations that Maine would not wait to act to protect our state from climate change, becoming the first sitting Maine governor to address the international body.