Floating Offshore Wind 101- An Educational Panel with Q&A
Offshore wind has incredible potential for Maine, including creating a sustainable and carbon-free source of homegrown energy; creating good-paying sustainable jobs; providing real benefits for Maine workers and communities; and giving a tangible plan for meeting the state's aggressive climate goals.
Free pizza and childcare will be provided.
Representative Ronald Russell (District 17) Rep. Ron Russell is serving his first term in the Maine House of Representatives. He is a member of the Labor and Housing Committee.
Rep. Russell and his wife, Jeanne, both grew up in eastern Maine and moved to their farmhouse on Verona Island in 1978. During his 42-year career in business with a large, diversified Maine company, Rep. Russell was proud to lead efforts to give back to the community. One of these initiatives, the company’s “Ice Cream For A Cause,” has raised money for several thousand Maine charities and causes since Rep. Russell helped launch the program in 2012.
Throughout his career and in retirement, Rep. Russell has been an active member of the community, volunteering with Northeast Historic Film, Main Street Bucksport, the Bucksport Community and Economic Development Committee and other local organizations. He has been involved with the Heart of Maine United Way for more than 20 years, including as a member of the board of directors.
Rep. Russell and his wife have four grown children – all graduates of Bucksport High School – and eight grandchildren.
Annie Ropeik, Independent Climate Journalist Annie Ropeik is an independent climate journalist in Camden. She previously reported for Spectrum News Maine in Portland and spent about a decade as a local public radio reporter in Alaska, Delaware, Indiana and New Hampshire. Her award-winning energy and environment reporting has appeared in Energy News Network and Inside Climate News and on NPR, the CBC and podcasts such as Outside/In and Living on Earth. A Maryland native and Boston University graduate, Annie serves on the board of the Society of Environmental Journalists.
Jack Shapiro, Climate and Clean Energy Program Director, NRCM Jack brings 15 years of advocacy, policy, and organizing experience to the NRCM climate and clean energy team. Prior to joining NRCM in 2021, Jack worked at Greenpeace USA and at Organizing for Action, pushing for ambitious federal climate policies. He served for four years as an appointee in the Obama Administration working on diverse issues ranging from conservation, clean energy, and green buildings to community resilience and biodefense. Jack has a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and a Bachelor’s degree in Ethics, History, and Public Policy from Carnegie Mellon University. Originally from the Northwest, Jack lives in Brunswick with his family.
Sarah Haggerty, Conservation Biologist/GIS Manager, Maine Audubon
Scott Cuddy, Director of Membership Development, IBEW 1253