AUGUSTA - Rep. Nicole Grohoski, D-Ellsworth, and Rep. Genevieve McDonald, D-Stonington, have been appointed to serve in support of the Maine Climate Council.
In June 2019, the Governor and Legislature created the Maine Climate Council in an effort to strategize a plan for climate action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 45% by 2030 and 80% by 2050, in addition to achieving carbon neutrality by 2045. The Maine Climate Council is supported by one subcommittee and six working groups.
Grohoski has been appointed to the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee, which is responsible for providing information on the impacts of climate change to the Maine Climate Council's working groups. In August 2020, the subcommittee published their report, Scientific Assessment of Climate Change and Its Effects in Maine, which examines the current and projected impacts of climate change on the states forest and agriculture systems, economy and human and animal health.
"I look forward to contributing my expertise as a GIS specialist and training as an environmental chemist to the ongoing work on the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee," said Grohoski. "We must understand the impacts of climate change on our land and resources, our residents and those who visit us each year to appropriately plan and adapt our ongoing response to the climate crisis."
McDonald has been appointed to the Coastal and Marine Working Group, which is responsible for providing recommendations and strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from coastal and marine sectors. In June 2020, the working group published their report, which outlines six strategies to monitor and manage the impacts of climate change on our marine resources and coastal communities.
"We need to address the climate crisis if we want to keep Maine's working waterfront strong and Maine's coastline healthy," said McDonald. "As a lobsterman, I'm glad to be doing this important work for the future of our industry and our state."
Both Grohoski and McDonald are serving in their second terms in the Maine House of Representatives. Grohoski represents the communities of Ellsworth and Trenton and serves as a member of the Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee. McDonald represents the communities of Cranberry Isles, Deer Isle, Frenchboro, Isle au Haut, North Haven, Southwest Harbor, Stonington, Swan's Island, Tremont and Vinalhaven, plus the unorganized territory of Marshall Island Township. She serves as the House chair of the Government Oversight Committee and as a member of the Marine Resources Committee.
Contact:
Jackie Merrill [Grohoski, McDonald], c. 812-1111