Dear voornaam, We need your help! Please contact Senator Collins and Senator King TODAY to ask them to add $5 billion to the bipartisan infrastructure package to provide initial funding for the Clean Energy and Sustainability Accelerator. Here’s how to reach them: Senator Collins: DC: (202) 224-2523 Portland: (207) 780-3575 https://www.collins.senate.gov/CONTACT Senator King: DC: (202) 224-5344 Portland: (207) 245-1565 https://www.king.senate.gov/contact-home Here’s what to say: “My name is ______ and I live in [TOWN], Maine. As a constituent, I’m calling to ask [Senator Collins or Senator King] to include $5 billion for the Clean Energy and Sustainability Accelerator in the bipartisan infrastructure package, H.R. 806. Thank you.” Feel free to add any additional information in your message. And, when you call, you may get a staff person, but more likely will just have a recorded message. Here’s why it’s important: Last week, Governor Mills signed LD 1659, An Act to Create the Maine Clean Energy and Sustainability Accelerator. This legislation will increase the availability of funding for efficiency and clean energy projects by requiring Efficiency Maine to partner with local banks and credit unions. This model is well proven by the Connecticut Green Bank, which has created more than $2 billion in funding for clean energy over the last decade. They have leveraged $7 in private capital for every dollar of public funding invested. However, the legislation that Governor Mills signed into law does not include any funding. We are anticipating federal funding through the national Clean Energy and Sustainability Accelerator (H.R. 806) working its way through Congress. President Biden supports including the Accelerator in the infrastructure package, but the bipartisan group of Senators has left it out. H.R. 806 has bipartisan support, including Representative Don Young from Alaska, and Representative Chellie Pingree from Maine. Both Maine Senators have participated in the small bipartisan group, so our voices are critical to ensure there is funding for clean energy in the bipartisan infrastructure package. The $5 billion will provide essential seed funding to launch the Clean Energy and Sustainability Accelerator. They need to hear from us to know this is important to citizens throughout Maine. H.R. 806 will leverage at least $3 in private funding for every dollar of public funding, so this is about public-private partnership to achieve climate solutions. This will directly help fund our efforts in Maine, and will also benefit communities across the country. H.R. 806 requires that 40% of funding go toward climate-impacted communities, including low-income communities, rural communities, and communities of color. Thank you! Green Bank funding is just one of many critical pieces of the federal infrastructure package. Keep an eye out for more calls for action regarding the package throughout the summer! |