Fracking is a high-risk drilling practice that is linked to contaminated drinking water, air pollution, earthquakes and health impacts in nearby states. Meanwhile, studies indicate that hitting the full-on switch to natural gas could result in out of control climate change. Maryland needs a legislative moratorium now to protect our communities from these dangers.
The wind blowing off Maryland's Atlantic coast is a vast, untapped energy source. Offshore wind has the power to provide clean energy, create local jobs, establish long-term electric price stability, and produce the equivalent of two thirds of Maryland's current electricity needs. Finally, Maryland is on the way to tapping our homegrown, clean source of energy.
The plan is out on Maryland’s global warming strategy and, frankly, there are problems.
A massive loophole in Maryland's renewable energy law is forcing ratepayers to reward the creation of greenhouse gases and harmful air pollutants.
Coal in Maryland
There are 18 coal-fired power plants in Maryland, generating about 40 percent of the state's electricity. The negative health and climate impacts of coal from cradle to grave are serious and well-documented.
In 2012, CCAN and EIP celebrated our first major victory in the fight against dirty power plants in Maryland when First Energy shut down the R. Paul Smith coal-fired power plant in Williamsport, MD.
Waste-to-energy Incineration
Although waste incinerators have been touted as a renewable energy solution by politicians, the facts tell a different story. Waste-to-energy incinerators emit high levels of mercury pollution and ultra-fine particulate matter, one of the most dangerous known pollutants to human health. They are also terrible for the climate: Trash-burning emits more carbon dioxide per unit of energy produced than does burning coal. CCAN is currently fighting two proposed waste-to-energy incinerators in Maryland.
