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This legislative session, young Mainers need the passage of LD 1138: An Act to Reduce Pollution Associated with Transportation in Alignment with the State’s Climate Action Plan. Maine Youth Power is proud to support LD 1138 as one of our priority bills for this legislative session, as we believe this bill is the perfect answer to the issues that we hear from young Mainers most often: addressing the climate crisis and expanding transportation options.
As young people, we know that in order for Maine to thrive in the future, we need to take the climate crisis seriously. We’re excited to build our lives in such an incredible place, but the prospect of growing old and even raising our own children in the midst of a worsening climate crisis is increasingly daunting.
Simultaneously, young Mainers are looking for more options when it comes to transportation. Everyone knows Maine is a rural state, a fact that makes our state so unique and is loved by so many. However, this idyllic landscape can also create isolation and stifle economic opportunities, especially for young people that may not have drivers licenses, access to reliable vehicles, or even the financial means to pay for gas.
LD 1138 tackles both of these problems head on. By assessing transportation projects through the lens of climate mitigation and mass transit solutions, the state of Maine can significantly reduce its greenhouse gas emissions while giving residents more transportation options. Maine Youth Power hopes to see this bill pass into law this year.
Eli Durand-McDonnell
Policy Coordinator
Maine Youth Power
Bar Harbor
