2025 Maine Sustainability & Water Conference

Thursday, March 27, 2025
Augusta Civic Center
Augusta, Maine

Conference Menu

Conference Home Registration Agenda Call for Abstracts Keynote Speaker Concurrent Sessions Poster Session Sponsors Exhibitors Organizing Committee E-Newsletter Sign up

Session F – MAINECAN: Maine community-led Energy and Climate Action Network

All Day Session
Capital/Pine Tree Room, Second Floor, North Wing

Session Co-chairs:
Sharon Klein, Associate Professor School of Economics, Mitchell Center Faculty Fellow, University of Maine
Caroline Noblet, Associate Professor School of Economics, Mitchell Center Faculty Fellow, University of Maine
Cressica Brazier, Research Associate, MAINECAN
Kelsey Flores, Wabanaki Sustainable Energy Coordinator
Jasmine Lamb, Founder & Chair, Sipayik Resilience Committee
Johannah Blackman, Executive Director, A Climate to Thrive
Beth Woolfolk, Manager of Renewable Energy Planning and Policy, A Climate to Thrive
Maddie Jensen, Planner, Bangor Area Transportation Comprehensive Transportation System
Gabe McPhail, Resilient Communities, L3C
Scott Vlaun, Executive Director, Center for an Ecology Based Economy 
Abby Roche, Community Development Officer, Island Institute
Faizan Saif, Graduate Research Assistant, University of Maine
Hamza Imran, Graduate Research Assistant, University of Maine
Sonia Leone, Undergraduate Research Assistant, University of Maine
Katherine Simmons, Undergraduate Research Assistant, University of Maine

This session will bring together Maine communities (municipal & tribal government officials, local non-profit organizations, citizen groups) implementing or interested in implementing climate and energy solutions and the groups supporting these efforts: Service Providers and Regional Coordinators from the Maine Community Resilience Partnership; Maine-based non-profit organizations; and other entities supporting community-driven climate and energy action. It will be an all-day “track” with morning and afternoon sessions and related poster presentations. This will be our second Maine community-led Energy and Climate Action Network (MAINECAN) event; this initiative has been building over recent years and is a collaboration between community groups and the entities that support them. Each session will focus on a different theme: outreach/engagement best practices (community leaders with community members; supportive partners with communities); specific projects and lessons learned (e.g., climate action planning processes, community-driven solar cooperatives, residential weatherization, etc.); ongoing and planned research into opportunities and barriers for energy transitions; and resources for communities to build capacity and keep the momentum going. A targeted focus will be on people and communities considered underserved, disadvantaged, or “high” on Maine’s Social Vulnerability Index. Each session will have a combination of panel presentations and roundtable discussions..

Session Schedule

Morning Session
What is MAINECAN and how can it help community-driven energy and climate resilience initiatives?

Afternoon Session
How to get funding and other capacity building support for community-led initiatives?

Presenters are indicated in bold font.

8:30AM – 8:45AM
Welcome Presentation: MAINECAN Overview & History

Sharon Klein, Associate Professor of Economics, University of Maine
Cressica Brazier, MAINECAN Research Associate, University of Maine
Jasmine Lamb, Founder of Sipayik Resilience Committee, PhD Candidate, University of Maine

8:45AM – 9:30AM
Networks within MAINECAN and the Support They Provide to MAINECAN Communities

Moderator: Scott Vlaun, Executive Director, Center for an Ecology Based Economy 

Panelists:

  1. Local Leads the Way: Three years into collaborating for increased impact
    Johannah Blackman, A Climate To Thrive 

    In December 2021, A Climate to Thrive launched Local Leads the Way, a program supporting community-driven climate action initiatives throughout Maine (and sometimes beyond!). After receiving increasingly frequent requests to share ACTT’s learnings and experience with forming groups and initiatives, ACTT decided to formalize that support in Local Leads the Way. Over the past three years, monthly meetings have taken place through which participants from throughout the state share resources, engage in collective learning and trainings, collaborate, and reduce duplication of effort. Focus areas include, but are not limited to, community-driven energy projects, climate mitigation, community resilience building, engagement and education, and collective advocacy, all through the community-driven lens.

    Over the past three years, Local Leads the Way has grown to also include a website platform with a discussion board, a guide on community-driven facilitation and events, and project specific groups forming to collaborate and support each other as they engage in similar projects. In June 2025, ACTT will launch a toolkit on community-driven climate action on the Local Leads the Way website with plug-and-play templates for a number of projects related to community-driven energy solutions, resilience work, education, and engagement.
  2. Strengthening Inter-tribal Collaborations for Sustainability Initiatives
    Kelsey Flores, Wabanaki Sustainable Energy Coordinator

    The Wabanaki Sustainable Energy Team (WSET) is composed of representatives from each of the five Wabanaki Governments in the State of Maine. Through a collaboration with the University of Maine, the team has also incorporated the Wabanaki Sustainable Energy Coordinator. The WSET has been a cornerstone for strengthening communication and advancing energy-related initiatives. In a broad overview, the existence of the WSET provides a platform for discussing inter-tribal collaborations, project updates, identifying priority projects, and much more. Creating this team of tribal representatives and close partners from the University of Maine has been crucial for obtaining the long-term sustainability goals within each tribal community. Focusing on specific community needs energizes the participation from each tribe and increases the capacity of the tribes to capitalize on the available opportunities. Since the creation of this committee, there have been multiple successful rollouts of energy-related initiatives, with even greater potential for future progress.
  3. Maine Climate Action Now (MCAN): Energy Equity through Community Advocacy, Outreach and Engagement
    Amy Eshoo, Director, Maine Climate Action NOW! (MCAN)

    Maine Climate Action Now’s (MCAN) work as a statewide coalition is to center equity and justice in climate action especially in the transition towards clean renewable energy. We recognize that a successful transition away from fossil fuels means supporting energy equity, energy access for all, and a reimagining of all connected systems. This understanding of climate justice as a multifaceted and intersectional issue has led to our support for divestment from the state’s public employees retirement system; floating offshore wind; recognition of the inherent sovereignty of the Wabanaki Nations; Clean Transportation for All and the Pine Tree Amendment.

    MCAN uses the lens of equity for our work and it guides our advocacy; outreach to impacted communities across the state; and educational programming to empower residents to bring about equitable, systemic change. In this session we will explore MCAN’s collaboration with ally organizations to engage communities and empower them to understand underlying existing governmental systems; potential mechanisms for evolution; and visions for a just future. We look for ways to share possible impacts and benefits of the energy transition as well as opportunities to bring individuals’ voices forward at decision making moments to be catalysts for change.

  4. Penobscot Climate Action Committee: A Multi-Jurisdictional Collaboration for Resilience and GHG Emissions Reduction in the Greater Bangor Area
    Maddie Jensen, Bangor Area Comprehensive Transportation System (BACTS)

    Penobscot Climate Action is an effort based in the Greater Bangor Region aimed at making the local community and infrastructure more resilient in the face of a changing climate. The planning effort was conducted between 2022-2024 and resulted in a Regional Vulnerability Assessment, a Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory, and a Climate Action Plan. To support implementation, the Penobscot Climate Action Committee was formed to facilitate communication and collaboration between the local municipalities, institutions/businesses, community based organizations, and the public. The multi­ jurisdictional nature of the group can introduce challenges but it also expands the Committee’s perspective, effectiveness, and capacity. The Committee meets regularly to discuss local updates, promote climate education, share successful methods, brainstorm solutions to barriers, and facilitate collaboration on PCA plan recommendations.
  5. The Energy Technology Innovation Partnership Project: Lessons Learned from Developing Energy Resilience with Maine’s Remote Coastal and Island Communities
    Jessica Reilly-Moman, Kate Klibansky, and Brenna Cohen, Island Institute 

9:30AM – 10:00AM
Breakout Discussions

  1. How to Start & Sustain a Citizen Group/Committee
    Facilitators: Jeanne Peacock, Chair, Eastport Energy Committee; Gen Doughty, Co-Director, Sipayik Resilience Committee; Wilson Haims, Manager of Community Engagement and Resilience, A Climate to Thrive (ACTT); Molly Mulhern, Community Outreach Leader, CamdenCAN

    This breakout discussion will be facilitated by four people who have been involved in developing and/or running citizen groups/committees. We invite additional participants that have experience with citizen groups as well as participants that want to learn more about how to start and sustain a citizen group or committee. This breakout session will explore strategies for launching and sustaining an effective citizen group or committee, empowering participants to drive meaningful community change. The discussion will also explore how citizen groups/committees interact with local and/or tribal governments. Participants will discuss the power of the non-municipal committee and its relationships with tribal and municipal leaders.
  2. Where to Center Climate and Energy Action within a Local and/or Tribal Government and how to Engage Citizens
    Facilitators: Luke Dyer, Town Manager, Town of Van Buren, Maine; Amber Wheaton, Community Initiatives Director, Town of Millinocket, Maine

    In addition to elected officials (e.g., mayors, chiefs, councils), many local and tribal governments have a central official in charge of the overall management of the government (e.g., Town Manager, Tribal Administrator). They may also have additional employees and/or departments in charge of certain topics (e.g., emergency services, housing, environmental management). Where do climate and energy fit within the traditional structures of local and tribal governments? This breakout discussion will discuss this question as well as best practices for local and tribal governments to engage citizens in climate and energy action. This discussion will give participants the opportunity to investigate strategies for integrating climate and energy initiatives into local and tribal government structures and how to effectively engage citizens through education and outreach in the process.
  3. Envisioning a Statewide Home Energy Coaching Program
    Facilitators/Discussants: Rozanna Patane, Board Member, York Ready for Climate Action (YRCA); Jessica Williams, Executive Director, WindowDressers; Kaya Williams, Resilience Fellow, Kittery/SMPDC Energy Navigators

    Home energy coaching involves community volunteers going into neighbors’ homes and talking to them about their energy use and devices – educating them on the proper use of heat pumps, for example, or which appliances use the most energy. York Ready for Climate Action has been operating a volunteer-led neighbor-to-neighbor home energy coaching program that has been getting statewide attention lately. People want to know how to start similar programs in their communities. What would a statewide program that supports local home energy coaching look like? Participants will brainstorm what expanding a program statewide could look like, empowering homeowners and renters to make informed energy decisions, and how to sustain such a program over time.
  4. Upcoming Maine Legislative Policies to Support Local Energy and Climate Resilience Initiatives
    Facilitators/Discussants: Beth Woolfolk, Manager of Renewable Energy Planning and Policy, A Climate to Thrive (ACTT); Amy Eshoo, Director, Maine Climate Action NOW! (MCAN); Ezra Sassaman, Advocacy Coordinator, Maine Climate Action NOW! (MCAN)

    A lot is happening in the Maine Legislature that affects communities! This breakout discussion will explore upcoming legislative policies that affect the ability of communities and tribes to advance local energy solutions and climate resilience. Facilitators will introduce policies that are tracking and lead a discussion about how these policies may empower or disempower communities and tribes in community-led climate and energy action. This session will cover key legislative priorities, and strategies for getting involved in proposed legislation that matters to you. Attendees will have the chance to ask questions, collaborate with peers, and connect with organizations driving policy change.
  5. How and Why Should My Community Get Involved in State Energy and Climate Initiatives?
    Facilitator: Ashley Krulik, Community Resilience Partnership Program Manager, Maine Community Resilience Partnership

    In 2024, the Maine Climate Council updated the state climate plan Maine Won’t Wait. This process involved multiple working groups and committees that held public meetings and sought input on draft documents. There were also many other opportunities for citizen engagement in Augusta, on Zoom, and locally in people’s hometowns. As the State implements Maine Won’t Wait, there will be additional opportunities for getting involved in this and other state-led initiatives that directly relate to community-led energy and climate action. This breakout discussion will focus on the importance of community engagement in statewide energy and climate initiatives. Facilitated by state government officials, the session will outline actionable steps for communities to participate in decision-making processes, access resources, and amplify their voices. Participants will discuss the benefits of engagement, share success stories, and identify solutions to common barriers. This interactive conversation will also provide opportunities to network with other communities and identify partnerships for collective action.
  6. MAINECAN as a Connectivity Platform
    Facilitators: Cressica Brazier, MAINECAN Research Associate, University of Maine; Louise Chaplin, Post-Baccalaureate Research Assistant, University of Maine

    MAINECAN is a network of communities and the allies that support them. Operating the network requires a strong focus on communication, and connection. This breakout discussion will highlight MAINECAN’s role as a hub for collaboration, learning, and resource-sharing. The facilitators will guide participants through the network’s communication features, including its website, outreach and communications strategy, and tools for peer-to-peer connection. Attendees will provide feedback on MAINECAN’s user experience, discuss its role in supporting their needs, and brainstorm ways to strengthen the statewide network. This session will emphasize co-creating a platform that strengthens statewide climate and energy action through inclusivity and innovation.
  7. Advancing Transparency in Community Climate Action: How Sustainability Standards Can Support Maine’s Energy Transition
    Facilitator: Jim Shimko, Assistant Professor of Accounting, Husson University

    Sustainability reporting is a vital tool for community-driven organizations to enhance transparency, secure funding, and amplify impact. This discussion will explore how Maine’s communities can align their climate and energy initiatives with the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) framework to improve accountability and collaboration. Participants will engage in discussions on integrating ISSB-aligned reporting into their work, identifying challenges and opportunities in sustainability disclosures, and using data-driven strategies to communicate progress effectively. Case studies and practical resources will be shared to help organizations build capacity, navigate funding opportunities, and advance equitable climate action.

10:00AM – 10:30AM
MAINECAN Planning Meeting: What should MAINECAN do in 2025, and how should it make decisions to support community initiatives?

1:30PM – 2:10PM
Lessons from MAINECAN communities and allies  

Moderator: Abby Roche, Community Development Officer, Island Institute

  1. Local Freeport Emergency Resilience Neighborhood Hubs or FERN Hub!
    Kathleen Sullivan, President, Board of Directors, FreeportCAN, Freeport, Maine

    In the summer of 2025 I attended an online workshop on Climate Resilience Planning. I had imagined the discussion would be about culverts and technical solutions for shoreline protection but instead the presenter introduced me to the idea that resilience is about care. As an almost retired clinical social worker and not an engineer, that concept captured my imagination immediately. Having only a few months ago undergone several destructive storms in Freeport when we lost not only power but cell for up to four days, I had first hand seen how isolated and unprepared our community is for the coming climate disasters that will be facing us. There was no warming center in town. No plan in place for communication with Town or with neighbors. 

    Peer to peer networks was the term used by the presenter as a type of resilience. I found the concept of organizing networks of care in existing neighborhoods appealing not only as a way to address climate emergencies, but as a way to address the well-documented negative consequences to health and mental health that result from isolation and loneliness. 

    Since then I have assembled a team of volunteers to help plan what those neighborhood groups might look like.  We have partnered with a large social service organization in town, gotten backing from Town government. We have designed and implement several pilot projects in several neighborhoods. We are well on our way to developing a model we hope will be useful for other small towns like ours to develop their own program.
  2. Community Garden Project
    Luke Dyer, Town Manager, Town of Van Buren, Maine
  3. Wabanaki Solar and Energy Planning
    Michael Burgess, Economic Development Director, Penobscot Indian Nation
  4. Community-Driven Climate Planning on Peaks Island
    Maggie Mills, Senior Project Manager/Hydrologist, FB Environmental Associates; Mindee Goodrum, Project Manager/Watershed Restoration Lead, FB Environmental Associates
  5. The Value of a Vulnerability Assessment.
    Laura Sewall, Phippsburg Representative, Town of Phippsburg, Maine

    Planning for resilience requires identifying and acknowledging the “gaps” and issues facing a community in the context of significant future change. A Gap Analysis, or Vulnerability Assessment (VA), provided by professionals outside of the community offers a relatively unbiased analysis of those vulnerabilities. Phippsburg’s assessment, conducted by FB Environmental, covered seven categories for focusing the Town’s efforts to prepare for future conditions. These are: Infrastructure and Public Properties, Private Property, Working Waterfront, Groundwater Resources, Water Quality, Ecosystems and Habitat, and Town Ordinances. Given these focus areas and specific recommendations, the VA has become a shared reference point for on-going conversations amongst Town committees and community leaders and, importantly, it has fostered collaboration. In the process, townspeople are gaining a shared language and deepened understanding of our common concerns; of what matters most for the community; of possible synergies and connections between various projects; and of how to direct our efforts for preparedness and resilience.

2:10PM – 2:40PM
Lightning Round for Funding, Capacity Building, and Other Support Providers 

Moderator: Sharon Klein, Associate Professor, University of Maine

  1. State-Funded Programs
    Gabe McPhail, Founder Resilient Communities, L3C

    As federal climate funding becomes uncertain, more communities are turning to state grants to support their climate action projects. While traditionally focused on planning, recent efforts to implement the Maine Won’t Wait Climate Action Plan, along with responses to major storm events and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding, have expanded opportunities for both planning and implementation.

    This lightning round presentation will highlight key state-funded grant programs available to Maine communities, outlining which grants support planning vs. construction, how to sequence funding for long-term project success, and best practices for maximizing state resources to advance climate resilience, infrastructure improvements, and community sustainability.
  2. Private Foundation Funding
    Laura Lee, Vice President of Community Impact, Maine Community Foundation

    Laura will provide an overview of funding opportunities at the Maine Community Foundation and tips on writing grant applications.
  3. The Maine CABIN & Climate Alliance
    Jeff Marks, Executive Director, ClimateWork Maine

    2024 was the hottest year on record, with heat waves and wildfires ravaging the Earth and calamitous storms, ravenous floods, and other billion-dollar disasters becoming the norm around the country. Meanwhile, the political climate in Washington is shifting, reshaping national energy policy, and influencing the direction of climate action. We need to lead with solutions that benefit both the economy and the environment and make that link crystal clear in all communications and actions.

    Resilience to increased storm damage is likely to drive state climate action, so we can anticipate continued focus on renewable energy development and climate resilience, grid modernization, and beneficial electrification of buildings and vehicles. As the Maine Climate Council winds down, there must be a non-governmental effort to collaborate across sectors to share resources, knowledge, and solutions in close partnership with businesses, citizens and communities, environmental groups, educational institutions, and state officials. It must be big. It must be visible. It must be broad-based. It must show that we are doing something, and doing it together.

    ClimateWork Maine (CWM) proposes a new Climate Alliance to help Maine businesses, communities, and people succeed in a carbon-constrained economy. It should be a bold, comprehensive, effective, inclusive endeavor that engages and connects business, nonprofit, government, community, and citizen partners. The Maine CABIN (Climate Action Business & Innovation Network) can provide businesses with resources needed to grow and succeed and The Climate Alliance will strengthen partnerships within Maine’s environmental, energy, and economic ecosystems while confronting the climate crisis head-on.
  4. The Community Resilience Workbook
    Parker Gassett, Member, Maine Climate Change Adaptation Providers Network

    The Maine Community Resilience Workbook is a comprehensive guide that helps communities and municipal officials integrate climate change considerations into their planning, operations, and preparedness efforts. This practical manual serves as a central hub of information and resources, helping local leaders make informed decisions about climate adaptation.

    Created through collaboration with nearly 100 experts, the workbook draws from years of stakeholder engagement and expertise.

    Chapters include:
    • How to start a new climate initiative in your community
    • Data, resources, and tools to analyze climate hazards and adaptation options
    • Planning, implementation, and evaluation
    • Building effective partnerships and collaborations
    • Integrating climate action with existing community initiatives
    • Maine-specific funding and financing options for climate projects
    • Accessing technical assistance
    • Professional development for town staff and community leaders
  5. Federal Support
    Speaker to be determined

3:00PM – 3:30PM
Breakout Discussions

  1. Envisioning a Statewide Community Energy and Climate Resilience Coordinator Program
    Facilitators/Discussants: Johannah Blackman, Executive Director A Climate to Thrive; Sharon Klein, Associate Professor of Economics, University of Maine; Tanya Rucosky, Community Resilience Partnership Coordinator, Sunrise County Economic Council (SCEC); Catherine Mardosa, Community Resilience Coordinator, Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments (AVCOG)

    Communities often do not have the capacity nor know where to start when it comes to climate and energy resilience. What if each community had someone to help them navigate the process from start to finish? Could one coordinator serve multiple communities, accessing synergies across multiple projects? Participants in this breakout discussion will discuss existing coordinator positions in Maine that provide tailored support to multiple communities in energy and climate planning, project ideation, accessing funding, and project implementation. They will also identify gaps in existing programs and brainstorm ways to fill these gaps while connecting coordinators across the state through regular peer-to-peer learning, networking, knowledge and resource sharing, and other means. 
  2. Why Is (Solar) Energy Ownership Important
    Facilitator: Tyler Adkins, CEO, Maine Community Power Co-op

    This breakout discussion will focus on the importance and logistics of local solar energy ownership. The Maine Community Power Co-op developed as a Maine-grown project out of the non-profit organization the Center for an Ecology-Based Economy in Western Maine. The Co-op has developed a modular community-owned solar design that can be implemented in any Maine community in an environmentally and socially responsible way. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about this community-led approach to community solar, ask questions, connect with one another, and share their experiences regarding the challenges and opportunities of local solar energy ownership.
  3. How Do I Enroll or Help Others Enroll in the Community Resilience Partnership and Access Community Action Grants?
    Facilitators/Discussants: Scott Vlaun, Executive Director Center for an Ecology Based Economy; Sonia Leone, Undergraduate Research Assistant, University of Maine; Dylan Pardue, Director of Technology and Systems, Cobscook Institute, Trescott Township, Maine; Ashley Krulik, Community Resilience Partnership Program Manager, Maine Community Resilience Partnership

    The Community Resilience Partnership is a state-run program that supports communities in taking specific actions that align with the state climate plan, Maine Won’t Wait. This breakout discussion will explore the processes of enrolling in the Community Resilience Partnership (CRP) and accessing Community Action Grants (CAGs) to support community-scale resilience actions. Enrollment and grant proposals can be completed by communities independently or with the assistance of a service provider. Two service providers will facilitate the discussion, along with the program coordinator from the Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions, share challenges and opportunities, and connect with other communities that are enrolled in the CRP or interested in enrolling.
  4. How Do I Access Non-CRP Funding and Support?
    Facilitators/Discussants: Laura Lee, Vice President of Community Impact Maine Community Foundation; Jeff Marks, Executive Director, ClimateWork Maine

    This breakout discussion will provide a space for participants to follow up with speakers from the afternoon “Lightning Round for Funding, Capacity Building, and Other Support Providers”. Similar to the lightning round presentations, this discussion will focus on funding sources and other support opportunities that are not associated with the Community Resilience Partnership (CRP). Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions about what they heard in the lighting round, share their experiences, and connect with other communities who have accessed non-CRP funding and support.
  5. How to Educate and Engage Neighbors and Community Members in Energy and/or Climate Resilience Topics, especially Highly Vulnerable Community Members
    Facilitators/Discussants: Johannah Blackman, Executive Director, A Climate to Thrive; Kelsey Flores, Wabanaki Sustainable Energy Coordinator; Amber Wheaton, Community Initiatives Director, Town of Millinocket, Maine

    Following up from the morning breakout discussion about where to center climate and energy action in local and tribal government, this breakout discussion will explore techniques to engage and educate underserved community members about energy and resilience topics. Facilitators will share their experiences, and participants will have the opportunity to ask questions, share their experiences, and connect with one another to share effective strategies. 
  6. Emergency Response Strategies that Include Resilience Hubs with Microgrid Support and Neighbor-to-Neighbor Checks
    Facilitators/Discussants: Kathleen Sullivan, President, Board of Directors, FreeportCAN;  Beth Woolfolk, Manager of Renewable Energy Planning and Policy, A Climate to Thrive (ACTT); Gus La Casse, Manager of Municipal Strategy & Policy Coordinator, A Climate To Thrive (ACTT)

    This breakout session will explore how resilience hubs, supported by microgrids, can play a critical role in emergency response strategies. Facilitators will highlight best practices for designing resilience hubs, integrating microgrids for energy reliability, and fostering community-based emergency preparedness through neighbor-to-neighbor support. Participants will have the opportunity to share challenges, explore case studies, and discuss how these strategies can be applied in their own communities.
  7. Resilience Planning and Vulnerability Assessments
    Facilitators/Discussants: Claire Emrick, Community Resilience Coordinator, Center for an Ecology-Based Economy (CEBE); Laura Sewall, Phippsburg Representative, Town of Phippsburg, Maine; Maddie Jensen, Planner, Penobscot Climate Action Committee; Steph Sun, Climate Engagement Specialist, Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI)

    Understanding community vulnerabilities is essential for effective resilience planning. This session will dive into methodologies for conducting vulnerability assessments, identifying critical infrastructure risks, and developing adaptive strategies to enhance energy and climate resilience. Participants will engage in a discussion about integrating equity considerations, securing funding for resilience initiatives, and leveraging local data for more effective planning.
  8. Energy Audits for Municipal Buildings and Residences
    Facilitators: Nicole Grohoski, Energy Project Manager, College of the Atlantic; Carole Boothroyd, Chair, Dover-Foxcroft Climate Action Advisory, Town of Dover Foxcroft, Maine

    Energy audits are a key tool for improving efficiency, reducing costs, and increasing resilience in municipal and residential buildings. This session will cover the fundamentals of designing an energy audit program in your community, from identifying and prioritizing buildings for energy audits, to identifying and securing a contractor or training volunteers to conduct energy audits, to understanding the results of the energy audits and what they mean for community-level energy planning. Participants will hear about successful case studies, available funding opportunities, and strategies to engage local governments and residents in energy efficiency initiatives.

3:30PM – 4:00PM
MAINECAN Planning Mtg: Follow-up from morning meeting as appropriate

About the Session Chairs

Sharon Klein is an economics professor and Mithcell Center Fellow. She is an interdisciplinary energy researcher who focuses on sustainable energy adoption through community-based research. She investigates barriers, opportunities, and decision drivers

Caroline Noblet is an economics professor and Mitchell Center Fellow. She is a behavioral, environmental economist who studies how people process information and make environmental decisions. Her research examines risk perceptions, choice architecture, and environmental valuation.

Abby Roche, PhD is a Community Development Officer at Island Institute working on community climate planning projects with the Center for Climate and Community. She is a climate resilience practitioner and trained social scientist with expertise in providing targeted technical assistance to coastal and island communities as they address climate impacts. Her work emphasizes co-creating collaborative processes to assess community resilience and identify and implement climate action priorities.

Maddie Jensen is a Planner at the Bangor Area Comprehensive Transportation System (BACTS) which is a federally designated MPO for the Greater Bangor Region. In this role, Maddie works with local, state, and federal agencies to promote a safe, equitable, and efficient transportation network through transit service planning, capital investment prioritization, and public education and engagement.

Sonia Leone is an undergraduate research assistant at the University of Maine working with Dr. Sharon Klein on a project that increases access to renewable energy and energy efficiency in underserved Maine communities. Sonia will graduate with a BA in anthropology this spring and pursue an MS in ecology & environmental science this fall.

Faizan Saif is a Graduate Student pursuing Resource Economics and Policy. He is also working as a Research Assistant with Dr. Sharon Klein on various projects. Faizan’s interest lies in policy analysis focusing on energy and renewable energy. He will conduct his thesis using spatial analysis to determine Mainers’ preferences for energy.

Jasmine Lamb is a member of the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Pleasant Point and a current PhD Student at the University of Maine in Environmental & Ecology Sciences. Jasmine has worked in the space of environmental justice for Wabanaki communities since 2021 and founded the Sipayik Resilience Committee in 2022 to advance energy sovereignty and climate resilience for members of the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Pleasant Point through citizen action.

Katie Simmons is an undergraduate research assistant at the University of Maine working with Dr. Sharon Klein on research that focuses on supporting rural and underserved communities in their sustainable energy transition. She will graduate with a BS in Ecology and Environmental Sciences and Economics this spring.

Gabe McPhail (she/they) is the owner of Resilient Communities, L3C, a mission-driven business focused on strengthening climate resilience in island and coastal communities. Gabe serves as the manager of SMRCC (Southern & Midcoast Resilience Coordinator Collaborative), which supports southern and midcoast Maine communities enrolled in the Community Resilience Partnership (CRP). They are also a member of the Maine Climate Council Equity Subcommittee and an active participant in Vinalhaven’s Sea Level Rise and Climate Committee. Additionally, they help manage Vinalhaven’s Downtown Project, a multi-million-dollar, grant-funded infrastructure initiative integrating climate adaptation strategies.

Johannah Blackman is a founding member of A Climate to Thrive and is honored to serve as ACTT’s Executive Director. Johannah brings together over a decade of experience in nonprofit management, over twelve years of experience in climate action, and a background in education, youth mentorship, and counseling psychology. Johannah’s particular passion is helping anyone and everyone discover their unique contribution to climate solutions and building community-driven climate action throughout Maine and beyond. She is an avid writer, explorer, and a mother.