A Few Good People Make the Difference
We Are Getting Noticed at Maine PERS
Divest! Putting on the Pressure at Maine PERS
Third Act Mainers protested outside the offices of the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS) on March 14, just as Board of Trustees members were entering for their monthly meeting. Through our signs, we urged the Board to divest from fossil fuels, in accordance with a law passed in 2021. The law requires divestment from fossil fuels.
How many of us were there? Just fifteen. But we made an impression! Press coverage was great. Maine Morning Star covered us here. Maine Public covered the event here. Below see the coverage on Fox ABC Maine.
Next Standout at Maine PERS We are asking members within an hour so of Augusta to join us so we can remove $1B of capital from fossil fuels' coffers. When: April 11, 2024, 8:20 am Where: Maine Public Employees Retirement System, 139 Capitol Street, Augusta RSVP & FMI: Chuck Spanger, charlesspanger@gmail.com
Maine Is Getting Windmills
Big news for Maine is the federal approval of a 2 million-acre wind energy area off the coast, and Governor Mills’ announcement that Sears Island is the preferred site for a port to support those windmills. Some might bemoan the port siting, and others may wish that the area’s size was not diminished by 80%. And it is going to take time—until the mid 2030s or 2040—for the project to be completed. But… perhaps the perfect is the enemy of the good in a time of climate emergency.
Bill McKibben, founder of Third Act, supports the project and its siting on Sears Island. He wrote an opinion piece in the Bangor Daily News and elaborated in a webinar earlier this month (sponsored by the York Public Library):
“We’ve got to be willing to make some changes. Some of those changes will need sacrifices. I know right now people in Maine are fighting over whether Sears Island should be a port for servicing the off-shore wind industry. I understand why people don’t want change of that kind. The point I’m trying to make is: We are in an emergency… The scientists tell us we have about six years to cut emissions in half… 2030 isn’t far away. It will take an all-out effort to get it done.”
Cletis Boyer co-chair of Third Act Maine’s Steering Committee, affirms this stance. “This is clearly Third Act’s position now, and while individuals are free to disagree, and even work to reverse the decision, the state working group [Third Act Maine] must accept this position.”
See McKibben’s entire talk (Minutes 2-26) below, and Third Act Maine’s presentation, too (Minutes 26-33).
Greater Portland Hub
Come to Our Spring Caucus!
The Greater Portland Hub is delighted to announce a gathering—Spring Caucus!— for Third Act Mainers. We warmly welcome all Third Act Mainers around the state and their friends. At this gathering, we’ll have a chance to get to know each other, sing some songs, engage in postcard-writing around climate issues, and preview (and give feedback on) a brand new Climate Change presentation we’re creating to bring to retirement communities around the state.
What: Spring Caucus When: April 25, 2024. 11 am - 2 pm Where: Portland Friends Meeting House, 1837 Forest Ave. Cost: $15 (includes lunch) RSVP: RSVP form here
Come to Our Standout at Chase Bank in Westbrook
The Greater Portland Hub also welcomes you to its first standout at the Chase Bank branch in Westbrook.
What: Standout at Chase Bank When: March 30, 10 am - 11 am Where: 92 Rock Row, Westbrook FMI: Tom Mikulka, mikulka.tom@gmail.com
Greater Farmington Hub
You’re invited to Greater Farmington's next planning meeting! Upcoming actions will include demonstrations in which our members give notice to TD Bank that they are closing their accounts due to TD Bank’s continued investment in tar sands projects.
What: Greater Farmington Hub planning meeting When: March 26, 12 pm Where: Old South Congregational Church, 235 Main Street, Farmington
Central Maine Hub
On Thursday, March 14, six of us attended a demonstration in Augusta about Maine’s Retirement fund, which is failing to divest from fossil-fuel corporations. We carpooled and had breakfast together after the demonstration. We talked about our worry and frustration about the climate, and we felt supported by each other. It reduced our despair.
If we demonstrate in Augusta again (and we will—on April 11 and probably in May, too!), we hope you’ll come along. Have some food and coffee and talk some about how you feel about the state of the world and how you’re coping with it. We bet you'll feel closer.
Earth Day Is Coming: Tell Us How You’re Planning to Honor It
We’d love to publish some of your ideas for celebrating and honoring Earth Day (April 22) this year. Write to us at ThirdActMaine@gmail.com! (One of our friends says, “Earth Day is bigger to me than Christmas. It’s my favorite day of the year.)
A poem for your enjoyment
Spring by Linda Pastan Just as we lose hope she ambles in, a late guest dragging her hem of wildflowers, her torn veil of mist, of light rain, blowing her dandelion breath in our ears; and we forgive her, turning from chilly winter ways, we throw off our faithful sweaters and open our arms. from Heroes in Disguise (W.W. Norton & Co., 1991)