First 'Cool Congress' convenes
Event attracts 100 people from throughout the state to discuss ways to combat climate change in their towns
BY KEITH EDWARDS
October 4, 2009

AUGUSTA — For anyone wanting to discuss global climate change, its impacts and what can be done about it in Maine’s towns, cities and neighborhoods, the University of Maine at Augusta was the cool place to be Saturday. The first annual “Cool Congress” brought together about 100 activists and interested parties from across the state to network, plan and hear from energy-efficiency experts about ways to save energy and money, and how to get help and funding from state and federal governments.

October 2, 2009

BY JOHN RICHARDSON

Portland Press Herald

Activists who are fighting climate change in communities around Maine will gather in Augusta on Saturday for what's being billed as the state's first Cool Congress.

More than 50 towns and cities are now working to reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions at their town halls, public works garages, schools, firehouses and other facilities. Twenty-five of them — so-called Cool Communities — have signed pledges to cut global warming pollution as part of a statewide program coordinated by the Maine Chapter of the Sierra Club, the Maine Council of Churches and other partners.