Join Us! Climate Action Workshop November 12 | | |
Join us on Wednesday, November 12th for the second annual Southern Maine Climate Action Workshop!
This full day event will bring together municipalities, organizations, and communities from across Southern Maine in support of collaboration towards meaningful local climate action, from planning to implementation. Hear from planning professionals and local leaders about grid resilience, nature-based strategies for coastal resilience, and local climate policy and ordinance development - all happening in your region.
Date: Wednesday, November 12th, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM (Morning refreshments and lunch provided!)
Location: University of New England - Harold Alfond Forum, Room 283.
Registration: Register here
| | | Project Spotlight: Parsonsfield Municipal Energy Plan | | |
Members of the project team during an initial visit to Parsonsfield's Fred Morrill Municipal Building, formerly the Fred Morrill School
This autumn marked the official launch of the Town of Parsonsfield Municipal Energy Plan project! Over the coming months, SMPDC will be working with the Town of Parsonsfield and project partners Center for an Ecology-Based Economy (CEBE) and Energy Efficient Investments, Inc. to conduct a municipal energy audit, identify cost-saving opportunities for the Town through energy efficiency and building upgrades, explore options for municipally-owned and community solar, and work to build energy resilience for the community.
If you are interested in learning more about the Parsonsfield MEP project or conducting a municipal energy assessment in your community, please reach out to Laura Berry, Sustainability & Resilience Senior Planner at lberry@smpdc.org.
| | | Energy Navigators Assist Homeowners with Heating Upgrades | | |
Owen Miller, Resilience Corps Energy Equity Fellow, and Kaya Williams, Community Energy Fellow, at the Kennebunk Harvest Fest
The Southern Maine Energy Navigators have been busy assisting homeowners with home energy upgrades. In August, the Energy Navigator team provided technical and financial support to a moderate-income homeowner interested in installing heat pumps and weatherizing their home. The installation was completed in September, and the homeowner now has a more energy efficient home at a fraction of the price.
When asked about their experience with the program the client had this to say:
“Energy Navigator staff was wonderful to work with. They patiently answered all my questions, followed up in a timely manner, and made sure I had what I needed. I look forward to a warm and comfortable home this winter!”
| | | First Year of Regional Coordinator Complete | | |
The first year of SMPDC’s work as a Regional Coordinator is complete! We had a very productive first year of working with our member communities to advance their climate priorities.
This year, SMPDC conducted a needs assessment to determine what types of projects are priorities for our region's communities, and to assess how SMPDC can best assist communities with climate resilience work. We learned about some emerging needs and interests of our communities, such as emergency management and preparation trainings, a need for more support on consultant procurement and RFP processes, and best practices and models related to legislative updates. SMPDC also assisted our communities with grant applications for projects including dune restoration, municipal energy improvements, implementation of open space plans, and emergency preparation and communication.
As we begin the next year of Regional Coordinator work, SMPDC continues to focus on regional actions that advance the priorities of our member towns. In addition to drafting the second year Regional Coordinator work plan, SMPDC is working on both proposing new regional projects and on implementing priorities such as developing a landing page for climate resilience related mapping resources.
We are here to assist your community with your climate resilience projects! Have a project idea and want to discuss funding opportunities? Need technical assistance on a project? Reach out to Melanie Nash at mnash@smpdc.org.
| | | Sustainability & Resilience Out & About | | |
This Fall, our staff has participated in convenings around the region to learn more about sustainability and resilience work being done around Maine and New Hampshire.
At the Local Solutions Conference in Hanover, New Hampshire in September, staff participated in two days of workshops geared toward local climate solutions. Staff attended sessions on energy resilience, flood preparedness, and waste management. This year there was a particular focus on moving forward despite institutional uncertainty. SMPDC staff came away with new perspectives and strategies for local resilience.
Closer to home, the SOS Saco Bay Conference in Saco provided SMPDC's staffers with an opportunity to meet with other regional organizations, students from the University of New England, state agencies, and local home and business owners. The conference focused on coastal resilience in the Saco Bay region and featured presentations on updated sea level rise predictions, the state of southern Maine’s sand dunes, and a discussion on coastal property values.
Lastly, the Southern Maine Energy Navigators attended an energy efficiency-focused Retrofit Symposium hosted by Passivhaus Maine in Freeport. Navigator staff came away with greater knowledge of energy efficiency retrofit projects happening around the region, and their challenges and benefits.
| | | FY 2026 Work Plan Now Available | | SMPDC's Sustainability and Resilience Work Plan provides an overview of the vision and scope of work for the SMPDC Sustainability and Resilience Division for Fiscal Year 2026. It details the Division’s accomplishments, funding sources, structure, approach, and priorities for the year. | | | Upcoming Trainings & Resources | | |
Let’s Talk about Risk — Online Workshop!
Join Southern & Midcoast Resilience Coordinator Collaborative to strengthen your engagement efforts and communicate more effectively with all community members—across demographic, political, and social differences. Monday, November 17, 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM. REGISTER to reserve your spot.
Decision Support Tool for Nature-Based Strategies in Southern Maine
A new GIS-based decision support tool for nature based strategies to address coastal hazards in southern Maine. The interactive tool includes three data layers to help support decision making: Site Suitability Assessment Socio-Political Feasibility Assessment, and Beach Priority Assessment.
Island Institute Energy Navigator Program
In partnership with National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Island Institute offers free assistance in planning and analysis to support communities and businesses address their energy resilience priorities. Interested communities can contact Brenna Cohen at bcohen@islandinstitute.org to learn more.
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The Island Institute is accepting applications for Community Clean Energy Grants and Community Climate Planning Grants. Awards of up to $20,000 are available. Applications are reviewed and awarded on a rolling basis, now through June 1, 2026. Learn more and apply.
Maine Public Working Waterfront Infrastructure Fund will open its Request for Applications in late Jan. 2026. Eligible activities include scoping, design, and construction of publicly-owned working waterfronts.
Coming Up: The Maine Infrastructure Adaptation Fund will be accepting applications in March 2026. Administered by MaineDOT, the program provides direct funding to public entities to adapt critical infrastructure to reduce vulnerability to climate change. More information will be available this Fall. View the full list of 2024 awards.
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Southern Maine Planning & Development Commission | Website
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