MD: Smart Energy Now!
Maryland is a national leader when it comes to ambitious clean energy policies. Yet, due to a lack of a long-term energy plan, we may be stuck with energy sources that do not provide the best combination of cost, reliability, and environmental protection. We need to protect our hard-earned victories, like the statewide greenhouse gas cap passed last year, by mandating a long-term energy plan that is consistent with Maryland's environmental laws.
Did you know that:
- Maryland has set some of the highest standards in the country for environmental and climate protection, the most recent being a statewide cap on greenhouse gases.
- We know that a clean energy economy is good for MD. The Maryland Department of the Environment anticipates that the transition to a low carbon economy will provide a $2 billion boost to the state through energy efficiency, conservation and new green jobs by 2020. A study by the International Center for Sustainable Development estimated the state's clean energy policies would create up to 326,000 jobs over the next 20 years.
- the Maryland Public Service Commission can approve new coal plants in the state or approve a new massive power transmission line full of coal power from West Virginia without specifically factoring in the state's historic greenhouse gas policy that takes effect in 2012. It's a loophole that has to be fixed
- This would not be happening if we had a long-term energy plan for MD that took into account our environmental laws as well as cost and energy reliability. We are working this year to make that plan happen.
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Take Action: Register to call your delegate as part of our "Smart Energy Now" Call In Day on March 10>>
