Last August, news broke that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was set to cancel $7 billion in grants for solar panels meant for low-income households. This affected about 20,000 homes in Maine. In the midst of this, Senator Susan Collins appeared to support the decision.
She commented, “It is no surprise that the new administration would consider terminating this IRA program,” referring to President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act from 2022. Although she labeled the termination as “abrupt” and “unfortunate,” her focus seemed to be more on the act’s political history than on its impact on households.
Collins, who is campaigning for a sixth Senate term, has often remained silent during the Trump administration’s aggressive actions against federal climate policy. For instance, she did not publicly oppose several moves to diminish federal regulations on greenhouse gases, nor did she address attempts to block offshore wind projects in New England.
Jesse Lee, a senior advisor at Climate Power, emphasized this silence, saying, “The silence is deafening.” The League of Conservation Voters scored Collins at just 31 percent on their pro-environmental track record, a sharp decline from her previous standing.
Historically, Collins has been viewed as supportive of environmental issues. In the past, she received endorsements from environmental groups and even backed legislation aimed at regulating greenhouse gas emissions. However, her recent actions suggest a shift, particularly as her party’s stance has grown more skeptical about climate change.
Political expert Mark Brewer noted that Collins’s party has become more partisan over the last twenty years, leading to a declining number of independents in Maine. Voters now seem more polarized.
One of her main appeals to Maine voters is her role as chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee. With the recent return to “earmarks”—budgeted funds directed for specific projects—Maine will receive significant federal funding per capita.
The context of federal spending is critical here. A poll from Pan-Atlantic Research shows that only 39 percent of voters view Collins favorably, signaling that she might be facing her toughest re-election challenge yet. Issues like energy affordability are top of mind for voters, especially as Maine faces rising utility bills due to delays in clean energy projects.
Experts are linking these energy costs to political actions, arguing that the halt of offshore wind projects has contributed to higher energy prices. This has opened a window for Collins’s opponents, like Governor Janet Mills, who have bolstered support for renewable energy initiatives.
Collins’s voting record shows some concern for the environment, illustrated by her legislation to block oil drilling in Maine’s waters and her advocacy for funding to tackle harmful chemicals. However, skepticism remains about her commitment to challenge her party’s growing resistance to climate action.
As voters prepare for the upcoming election, the focus on energy and climate policy will likely shape their decisions. There’s a strong call for leadership focused on accountability, pushing for vigorous climate action that resonates with voters’ everyday concerns, such as energy costs and environmental justice.
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climate action,Department of Energy,Environmental Protection Agency,EPA,Inflation Reduction Act,Maine,senate,Solar for All,Susan Collins,Trump Administration
