The narrative of climate action often swings between two extremes: radical overhaul on one end and unwavering status quo on the other. However, when we unfurl the pages of Biddeford's Climate Action Plan, what emerges is a vision that bridges both—a vision both timeless and pragmatic, rooted deeply in our history yet boldly facing the challenges of today and tomorrow.

At the core of Biddeford’s Climate Action Plan is resilience. The plan envisions a zero-carbon city powered by renewable energy, where our communities not only survive but thrive. Biddeford’s plan is not mere wishful thinking; it is a carefully crafted path, embodying a commitment to our natural environment and the wellbeing of future generations.  The plan is our city's strategic response to climate change, offering a synthesis of our present vulnerabilities, current greenhouse gas emissions, and ambitions for a more enduring and resilient future. It provides actionable strategies, underpinned by clear goals, ensuring that our responses are proactive, effective and measurable.

This plan is made possible by the dedication of the Biddeford Climate Action Task Force. These committed volunteers have devoted countless hours to crafting this comprehensive Climate Action Plan. Their tireless efforts, insights, and expertise have been pivotal in forging a path for a more prosperous Biddeford, encapsulating a deep commitment to the well-being of our community, both now and in the years to come.

The Climate Action Plan is organized around five primary categories: Buildings and Energy, Transportation and Infrastructure, Land Use and Natural Resources, Health, Safety, and Well Being; and Leadership & Support. Each category reflects both our city's historical responsibilities and our modern-day commitments to shaping urban landscapes, ensuring public welfare, and guiding community growth.

Similar to previous administrations' investments in critical infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and public facilities, the current focus on sectors like Buildings and Energy and Transportation and Infrastructure underscores an ongoing dedication to fulfilling these fundamental governmental responsibilities. To further elucidate these categories and their implications, the following sections offer a detailed overview.

Buildings and Energy: A Commitment to Efficiency

In Biddeford’s pursuit of reduced emissions and energy efficiency, we take lessons from our recent history. Past challenges with Maine Energy Recovery Co. (MERC) and its air pollution in downtown Biddeford serve as stark reminders of the critical need for emissions regulation and environmental stewardship by municipalities.

Building on this legacy is an effort to track and reduce carbon emissions, ensuring our city's carbon footprint diminishes over time. By prioritizing energy-efficient buildings, we not only champion reduced emissions but also achieve direct cost savings for the city, providing financial relief for taxpayers. Moreover, there are untapped federal and state funding opportunities that can amplify energy investments, allowing Biddeford to achieve more with each dollar spent. In essence, our thrust towards building energy efficiency is not a new undertaking but an acknowledgment of a longstanding civic duty coupled with fiscal responsibility.

Transportation and Infrastructure: Reimagining Connectivity

Before World War II, a robust network of electric trolley cars threaded through the streets of Biddeford, not just animating the downtown and Main Street to Five Points, but also bridging our community with neighboring locales like Saco, Old Orchard Beach, and Kennebunk.

While this era of connectivity might be unfamiliar to many today, it provides rich historical context and serves as an emblem of a city truly connected with its surroundings. Our contemporary transportation vision draws inspiration from this legacy. By expanding public transit access, fostering pedestrian-friendly streets, and boosting bikeability, we are charting a course for a more interconnected city.

Safer and more complete streets benefit everyone: they not only improve the safety of our residents but also contribute to reducing automobile traffic and pollution. Investing in active infrastructure is both environmentally responsible and economically sound; infrastructure for pedestrians and bicyclists requires significantly less maintenance compared to roads used by heavy automobiles. Considering a notable segment of Biddeford's population does not own an automobile, enhancing our streets becomes crucial for ensuring accessibility for all.

Land Use and Natural Resources: Balancing Growth and Conservation

Biddeford's tradition of family farms, community gardens, and water-based harvesters, such as our cherished fishing community, have consistently emphasized the importance of responsible and enduring practices. This vision for land and resource use transcends sustenance; it is rooted in holistic conservation.

As Biddeford evolves, it is essential to uphold and strengthen our traditional agricultural and maritime practices. These are crucial not just for our economy but also for preserving our cultural heritage and bolstering our food security. To this end, supporting local food systems and promoting viable practices that improve soil health and carbon storage are necessary towards ensuring that our lands and waters continue to nourish us and future generations.

Also foundational to Biddeford’s land use strategy is the promotion of mixed use development within our urban core addressing the pressing need for housing.

By championing higher density and infill projects, we ensure that Biddeford's urban areas are vibrant and efficiently utilized. This approach not only reduces sprawl but also supports economic vitality, connectivity, community cohesion, and helps Biddeford meet its growing demand for accessible and affordable housing.

However, as we encourage urban development, we must equally prioritize the conservation of our rural landscapes. Protecting these areas is not solely for preserving the scenic beauty they offer but also for safeguarding biodiversity, maintaining water quality, and ensuring space for recreation.

Biddeford, like much of southern Maine, is experiencing an undeniable pressure to develop, a trend that will likely intensify. While this offers ample opportunities for growth, it also presents difficult choices. We find ourselves at a critical juncture, compelled to determine what we value more: rapid, potentially reckless development or a future where growth and preservation can coexist. The decisions ahead will be challenging and contentious, but with a commitment to environmental conservation and community values, striking the right balance is possible.

Health, Safety, and Well Being: A Community-Centric Approach

The well-being of Biddeford's residents is intricately linked to the mounting threats of climate change. Extreme heat, for example, has already shown alarming health repercussions. Between 2011-2015 and 2017-2019, York County recorded some of the highest numbers of emergency department visits in Maine due to heat-related illnesses - a clear sign of the adverse health effects from rising temperatures.

October 2021 further demonstrated our vulnerability when Biddeford was struck by a severe flash flood. In just six hours, 6.7 inches of rain caused significant erosion to the stone embankment supporting the RiverWalk near the Pepperell Mill compromising key infrastructure. This federally declared disaster brought with it millions of dollars in damages, from infrastructure compromises to widespread power outages, and notably, a prolonged loss of public access to portions of the Saco River.

The repercussions of such incidents are not solely environmental but have tangible economic implications. Coastal flooding in Biddeford can diminish property values, thereby negatively impacting local tax revenues putting additional financial pressure on non-coastal property owners. For context, coastal properties account for 29% of Biddeford's tax base, and notably 11% of the city’s total assessed property value is vulnerable to flooding. A poignant and local example of this risk lies across the river at Camp Ellis, where relentless coastal erosion has led to the loss of 38 homes, underscoring the fiscal consequences for homeowners and taxpayers.

While this Climate Action Plan cannot change the weather, it does aim to better equip our community for the increasing prevalence of extreme weather events. Think of the Climate Action Plan as an umbrella in a downpour; it does not halt the rain, but when utilized, it mitigates its effects and guides our way through it. Through enhancing infrastructure resilience and heightening community awareness, we pivot from reacting to proactively adapting. In essence, this plan is a navigation tool, addressing both environmental and economic challenges, steering Biddeford towards a more secure future.

Leadership and Support: Steering Towards Harmonized Integration

Leadership is more than taking charge; it requires clarity, expertise, and vision. Principal to these efforts is the commitment that city departments, staff, and community members receive the necessary support and information to realize the goals of our Climate Action Plan.

The establishment of a Climate Commission and the introduction of climate science into school curricula underscore our mission to educate, involve and empower stakeholders of all ages and backgrounds. The envisioned Sustainability Coordinator position is a strategic investment, signaling Biddeford's commitment to the Climate Action Plan. Rather than expanding bureaucracy, this role prioritizes the efficient integration and amplification of the plan’s strategies within our city's ongoing obligations and initiatives. By making our efforts more direct and focused, we aim to use limited resources wisely and meet our climate action goals.

Beyond Debate: Crafting a Proud, Prosperous Biddeford

In closing, Biddeford’s Climate Action Plan is more than mere literature—it is a strategic roadmap that encapsulates our shared goals. This plan bridges our city's rich heritage with future aspirations, balancing immediate needs with longterm benefits. While the plan offers a blueprint, our collective action, or lack thereof, will shape Biddeford’s future.

For those among us who may question the very premise of climate change or feel disheartened by the magnitude of the challenge, it is worth reflecting on a simple truth: the steps we are taking are not just for the climate, but for our community. Think of these initiatives as investments in a robust and vibrant Biddeford—a city that is energy-efficient, economically resilient, and conducive to healthier, more connected lives. Whether we achieve every goal or not, the progress we make will still yield meaningful and tangible benefits for our city and its residents.

Even if one were to set aside the climate debate, the benefits of cleaner air, improved water quality, reduced energy bills, enhanced infrastructure, and more accessible transportation are undeniable. This plan is about shaping a city we can all be proud of—one where our children and grandchildren can thrive. Why would we not want that future?

A draft of Biddeford's Climate Action Plan, funded by a Community Action Grant from the State of Maine Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future, was presented and discussed at a Joint Workshop involving Biddeford's Climate Task Force, Planning Board, and City Council on Oct. 10. The City Council will vote on its adoption in a future yet to be determined City Council meeting.

Liam LaFountain is a first-term City Councilor in Biddeford and a healthcare analyst at the non-profit Healthcare Purchaser Alliance. He welcomes questions, comments, and ideas and can be contacted directly at liam.lafountain@biddefordmaine.org.

The views and opinions herein are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the viewpoints and opinions of Saco Bay News, its employees, publisher, or advertisers.