• The Maine Infrastructure Rebuilding and Resilience Commission's report emphasizes the increasing risk of natural disasters in Maine and the need for proactive preparation.
• The report outlines a three-pillar plan focusing on infrastructure, disaster preparedness, and sustaining resilience momentum, with some recommendations already underway.
• The Mills administration has allocated $8 million in grant funding to support community resilience projects, highlighting the state's commitment to addressing climate change impacts.

In response to severe storms in late 2023, Governor Janet Mills established the Infrastructure Rebuilding and Resilience Commission to develop a long-term resilience plan for Maine. The commission's final report underscores the growing threat of extreme weather events due to climate change and calls for a 'relentless' focus on preparedness. The plan emphasizes infrastructure improvements, enhanced disaster response, and sustained resilience efforts at the state and local levels. The report also highlights the importance of state-level leadership and investment, especially given potential uncertainties in federal disaster funding.

• What: The Maine Infrastructure Rebuilding and Resilience Commission released its final report outlining a plan to prepare the state for extreme weather events.
• Who: The key players are the 24-member Infrastructure Rebuilding and Resilience Commission, Governor Janet Mills, the State Resilience Office, and Maine communities.
• When: The commission was established in May 2024 after storms in late 2023. The report was released recently. The period between March 2022 and May 2024 saw nine natural disasters in Maine.
• Where: The focus is on the state of Maine and its communities.

The commission's report and the state's response indicate a growing awareness and proactive approach to addressing the increasing threat of extreme weather events in Maine. The emphasis on state-level leadership and investment is crucial, especially given the uncertainty surrounding federal disaster funding. The establishment of the State Resilience Office and the allocation of grant funding demonstrate a commitment to implementing the commission's recommendations and building community resilience. The report's highlighting of nine natural disasters in just over two years underscores the urgency of these efforts.

Without relentless focus and attention, Maine risks losing the meaningful momentum it’s gained since the devastating storms of December 2023 and January 2024, which prompted the creation of our Commission.

In Maine, we no longer know the storms of yesterday. Storms are now more frequent and dangerous, flooding our homes and businesses, washing out our roads and bridges, and threatening the health of our people and economy.

The Maine Infrastructure Rebuilding and Resilience Commission's report serves as a call to action for the state to prioritize preparedness for extreme weather events. The state's initial steps, including the establishment of the State Resilience Office and the allocation of grant funding, demonstrate a commitment to implementing the commission's recommendations. However, sustained effort and investment will be crucial to effectively mitigate the risks posed by climate change and protect Maine's communities and economy.