More than 100 clean energy advocates gathered at the Maine State House in Augusta Thursday to urge lawmakers to pass several bills.
Sierra Pearl is an electrical apprentice who said she sees solar as the future. But with federal uncertainty and sometimes hostility toward clean energy, she said the work she and her fellow apprentices has been counting on has dried up.
"I just want people to know that if you protect clean energy jobs. You're protecting jobs for Mainers, and you're protecting our work, but not just union work, but work for everybody, and not just now, but into the future as well," Pearl said.
Under consideration are bills aimed at reaching 90% clean energy by 2040, creating a cabinet-level Department of Energy, and creating new affordability standards for utilities.
Brayden House, a third year electrical apprentice, said he got into solar because he saw opportunity in a growing field. But right now, he's unemployed. House said he wants Maine lawmakers to continue investing in solar and other clean energy projects.
"These bills speak to me, because they can secure me and the union that I'm a member of work for decades," he said.
With the chilling effect uncertainty at the federal level has caused over clean energy tax credits and other funding, House and other advocates said that it's more important than ever to invest in renewables at the state level.