Recently citizens from around the state of Maine and nation rallied to call on the offices of Maine Republican Senators Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins, largely viewed as moderates and key swing votes on progressive climate and energy issues. I couldn’t be more pleased with the turnout. Collins has recently co-sponsored cap and dividend legislation and supports offshore wind production. We must do more however. My hope is that our senators recognize that their constituents understand this is a defining issue on which all of our futures hinge. Not only are there things afoot at the national level to mitigate our carbon footprint and reduce our dependence on costly foreign oil — national treasure, human life, price at the pump — but there are simple things we can do right on our own doorstep. Aroostook County has some of the oldest housing stock in the country, which translates directly to inefficiencies and high out-of-pocket energy expenditures. There are programs available to address these problems.
Aroostook County Action Program provides guidance and a wide variety of resources, especially valuable in these difficult economic times. Services include weatherization and central heating improvements for those who are income eligible. Visit their Web site: www.acap-me.org. The number for the Presque Isle office is 764-3721.
Putting aside standard arguments of rising sea levels and temperatures and the effect on flora and fauna, air quality itself is an extraordinary human health risk. New England is America’s tailpipe. Whether it is open pit burning in China or the industrial Midwest, we feel the effects here in Maine. Asthma rates are very high in Maine and asthma can lead to a sedentary lifestyle which can beget obesity and diabetes. All of these lead to a diminished quality of life, decreased economic output and increased burdens on the healthcare system.
Sen. Collins has co-sponsored a cap and dividends bill with some money marked for investment in the inevitable green economy. This is a step in the right direction for air quality, energy efficiency and jobs promotion. Efforts are underway to weaken the bill with a resolution proposed by Alaska’s Sen. Murkowski, a measure which would effectively gut the Clean Air Act, the same act so assiduously pursued by our own Sen. Muskie and widely hailed an environmental landmark. Last Thursday it was revealed that all but three Senate Republicans signed the resolution. Two of those were our very own Snowe and Collins. They are listening to Mainers from all corners of our great state.
It is imperative that we consistently remind Sens. Snowe and Collins that we here in Maine believe in a strong climate, energy and greens jobs bill, all of which will be of benefit to this region. This is not a partisan issue but one practical solution to severe environmental and economic problems. Sen. Collins’s regional field office is 493-7873; Sen. Snowe’s regional field office is 764-5124.
Greg Brown of Georgetown spent much of his youth in Aroostook County and is field organizer in Maine for 1Sky, a responsible climate and clean energy advocacy non-profit.
Aroostook County Action Program provides guidance and a wide variety of resources, especially valuable in these difficult economic times. Services include weatherization and central heating improvements for those who are income eligible. Visit their Web site: www.acap-me.org. The number for the Presque Isle office is 764-3721.
Putting aside standard arguments of rising sea levels and temperatures and the effect on flora and fauna, air quality itself is an extraordinary human health risk. New England is America’s tailpipe. Whether it is open pit burning in China or the industrial Midwest, we feel the effects here in Maine. Asthma rates are very high in Maine and asthma can lead to a sedentary lifestyle which can beget obesity and diabetes. All of these lead to a diminished quality of life, decreased economic output and increased burdens on the healthcare system.
Sen. Collins has co-sponsored a cap and dividends bill with some money marked for investment in the inevitable green economy. This is a step in the right direction for air quality, energy efficiency and jobs promotion. Efforts are underway to weaken the bill with a resolution proposed by Alaska’s Sen. Murkowski, a measure which would effectively gut the Clean Air Act, the same act so assiduously pursued by our own Sen. Muskie and widely hailed an environmental landmark. Last Thursday it was revealed that all but three Senate Republicans signed the resolution. Two of those were our very own Snowe and Collins. They are listening to Mainers from all corners of our great state.
It is imperative that we consistently remind Sens. Snowe and Collins that we here in Maine believe in a strong climate, energy and greens jobs bill, all of which will be of benefit to this region. This is not a partisan issue but one practical solution to severe environmental and economic problems. Sen. Collins’s regional field office is 493-7873; Sen. Snowe’s regional field office is 764-5124.
Greg Brown of Georgetown spent much of his youth in Aroostook County and is field organizer in Maine for 1Sky, a responsible climate and clean energy advocacy non-profit.
