AUGUSTA - A bill to look into establishing the Maine Climate Corps, LD 722, sponsored by Rep. Morgan Rielly, D-Westbrook, was signed into law Tuesday by Gov. Janet Mills.
The creation of the Maine Climate Corps, mentioned in the Maine Climate Council's recent report, Maine Won't Wait, is one of many proposed strategies to address the states pending climate crisis and the workforce shortage necessary to tackle it. The measure directs the Maine Commission for Community Service to study and identify needs in state and local agencies and develop climate-focused service projects for interested residents. The measure also requires the commission to submit a report based on its findings to the Maine Legislature's Joint Standing Committee on Environment and Natural Resources.
"There is a growing national movement around the creation of a civilian-led Climate Corps that is beginning to take shape," said Rielly. "Maine has once again proven to be a leader in taking the necessary steps to protect our environment and strategize creative solutions to address the long-term issues that come with our changing climate. The Maine Climate Corps will give Mainers a new way to serve their state and country."
Rielly is serving his first term in the Maine House of Representatives as a member of the Joint Standing Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs. He represents a portion of Westbrook.
Contact:
Jackie Merrill [Rielly], c. 812-1111