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NEW YORK, NY— Maine’s Governor John Baldacci accepted a Climate Champion award from Clean Air-Cool Planet (CA-CP) today, at their Global Warming Solutions 2005 conference here. CA-CP is the Northeast’s leading nonprofit dedicated to finding and implementing solution to global warming. CA-CP works with businesses, communities, and colleges in New England, New York, and New Jersey to help develop cost-effective solutions to fight climate change and promote environmental protection. The award, given every two years, was presented to Governor Baldacci for “leadership in advancing solutions to global warming.” In presenting the award, CA-CP Executive Director Adam Markham praised Governor Baldacci for making Maine “an inspiring example” of true leadership, demonstrating that pragmatic global warming solutions exist and work, and then encouraging others – both public and private – to follow Maine’s lead. The State of Maine is the first state to measure and track greenhouse gas emissions from state energy use, and under Governor Baldacci’s watch Maine has reduced state government’s emissions eight percent in two years, in part through the following actions:
“Working proactively to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions from its own energy usage, Maine state government is a leader by example to others to do the same,” CA-CP’s Markham said. Governor Baldacci was pleased to receive the award. “I am committed to making Maine a leader when it comes to sound energy policies. Energy conservation and efficiency are not only good for the environment, they are also good for the bottom line. Our renewable energy purchases help to promote economic development in Maine as well as clean the air. I am proud that the State’s accomplishments have earned this recognition.” Markham noted that Maine’s efforts have followed its commitment to the New England Governors/Eastern Canadian Premiers 2001 Regional Climate Change Action Plan, which calls for participating state and provincial governments to “lead by example” in a push for region-wide reductions in greenhouse gas emissions to target levels by certain dates. “We applaud the Governor for the pragmatic and responsible approach he has taken, moving his state forward in the cooperative effort to protect the health and well-being of us all from the dangerous effects of climate change; this is truly the work of a Climate Champion,” said Mr. Markham. Clean Air - Cool Planet also presented five other awards at the Global Warming Solutions 2005 conference. Other awardees are Governor George Pataki of New York, Bank of America, The Timberland Company, Middlebury College, and the City of Stamford, Connecticut. The last Climate Champion Awards were presented, at CA-CP’s 2003 conference, to Shaw’s Supermarkets, the University of New Hampshire and Tufts University, and the City of Hull, Massachusetts. --30--
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Baldacci Receives Climate Champion Award for Global Warming Leadership