MAINECAN Conference Session
at the 2025 Maine Sustainability and Water Conference
The second annual MAINECAN session brought 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.
Morning Panel
Networks in MAINECAN
and the support they provide to MAINECAN communities
Moderator: Scott Vlaun, Executive Director, Center for an Ecology-Based Economy
Local Leads the Way - Johannah Blackman
Strengthening Inter-tribal Collaborations for Sustainability Initiatives - Kelsey Flores
Maine Climate Action Now (MCAN) - Amy Eshoo
Penobscot Climate Action Committee - Maddie Jensen
The Energy Technology Innovation Partnership Project - Jessica Reilly-Moman, Kate Klibansky
Morning Breakout Sessions
1
Citizen Groups & Committees
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
2
Local Government & Climate Action
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
3
Home Energy Coaching Programs
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
4
Upcoming Energy/Resilience Legislation
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)
5
State Energy & Climate Initiatives
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
6
Sustainability Standards
Advancing Transparency in Community Climate Action: How Sustainability Standards Can Support Maine’s Energy Transition Facilitator: Jim Shimko, Assistant Professor of Accounting, Husson University
Afternoon Panel
Lessons from MAINECAN Communities and Allies
Moderator: Abby Roche, Community Development Officer, Island Institute
Freeport Emergency Resilience Neighborhood Hubs (FERN Hub!) - Kathleen Sullivan
Van Buren Community Garden Project - Luke Dyer
Community-Driven Climate Planning on Peaks Island - Maggie Mills and Mindee Goodrum
The Value of a Vulnerability Assessment - Laura Sewall, Phippsburg
Lightning Round
Funding, Capacity Building, and Other Support Providers
Moderator: Sharon Klein, Associate Professor, University of Maine
Federal Funding - Louise Chaplin and Edge Venuti
State-Funded Programs - Gabe McPhail
Foundation Funding - Laura Lee
The Maine CABIN & Climate Alliance - Jeff Marks
The Community Resilience Workbook - Parker Gassett
Afternoon Breakout Sessions
1
Community Energy/Resilience Coordinators
Envisioning a Statewide Community Energy and Climate Resilience Coordinator Program Facilitators/Discussants: Johannah Blackman, A Climate to Thrive; Sharon Klein, UMaine; Tanya Rucosky, Community Resilience Partnership Coordinator, SCEC; Catherine Mardosa, Community Resilience Coordinator, AVCOG
2
Solar Energy Ownership
Why Is (Solar) Energy Ownership Important Facilitator: Tyler Adkins, CEO, Maine Community Power Cooperative
3
Community Resilience Partnership
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, UMaine; Dylan Pardue, Cobscook Institute, Trescott Township; Ashley Krulik, CRP Program Manager
4
Non-CRP Funding & Support
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
5
Educating & Engaging Community
How to Educate and Engage Neighbors and Community Members in Energy and/or Climate Resilience Topics, especially Highly Vulnerable Community Members Facilitators/Discussants: Kelsey Flores, Wabanaki Sustainable Energy Coordinator; Amber Wheaton, Community Initiatives Director, Millinocket
6
Emergency Response Strategies
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, A Climate to Thrive; Gus LaCasse, A Climate To Thrive
7
Resilience Planning & Vulnerability Assessments
Resilience Planning and Vulnerability Assessments Facilitators/Discussants: Claire Emrick, Community Resilience Coordinator, Center for an Ecology-Based Economy; Laura Sewall, Phippsburg; Maddie Jensen, Planner, Penobscot Climate Action Committee; Steph Sun, Gulf of Maine Research Institute
8
Energy Audits
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