In case you missed it, Annapolis

Recently, a few individuals have published questions about offshore wind power. Some of their main concerns were:

1) Does it really reduce emissions?
2) Will it help us achieve a future zero-carbon grid?
3) Will it be affordable for ratepayers?

Thankfully, ample scientific evidence and real-world experience provide answers to these questions. Indeed, wind power can and will continue to reduce emissions by displacing fossil fuels, wind power can be part of a future zero-carbon grid, and other states have found long-term offshore wind power contracts to be affordable for their rate payers. Offshore wind power in particular is one of the greatest answers for Maryland and the world's energy future.

The following post provides answers to these questions based on reliable data and studies. More information about offshore wind can be found on the Marylanders for Offshore Wind website.

This is a cross post from Blue Virginia.

I just got off a conference call on the dangers of offshore oil drilling in Virginia and lessons learned from the Gulf of Mexico disaster. Speakers included Chesapeake Climate Action Network Executive Director Mike Tidwell, Virginia Sierra Club Assistant Director J.R. Tolbert, and retired Navy captain/former Delegate Joe Bouchard. I'll get to Tolbert's and Tidwell's comments in a minute, but first I want to highlight what Joe Bouchard had to say, because it was very strong.

First, according to Bouchard, there's a long record of offshore oil and gas activities interfering with Defense Department training ranges. The industry likes to claim that they have a "great working relationship with the military," but "you can't believe that for a minute." In fact, Bouchard says, "interference with training ranges is well documented," and claims to the contrary by the oil industry are "disingenuous if not outright untrue."

Last week, the CCAN staff traveled to a retreat center in the Blue Ridge mountains of West Virginia, where we took some time to reflect on the past year and look forward to what's ahead. As the newest member of the staff, I was inspired by the passion and commitment of my team members and thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to get to know everyone. We all returned to the office this week with a renewed sense of purpose and energy to throw into our work. After the jump, see some photo highlights of the trip.

You've probably heard about TED. TED conferences bring together the world's leading thinkers and doers for a series of talks, presentations and performances. A small nonprofit devoted to "Ideas Worth Spreading," TED started out in 1984 as a conference bringing together people from three worlds: Technology, Entertainment, Design. Since then its scope has become ever broader.

The newest addition to the TED repertoire are the TEDx programs, and one of them is coming to DC on Monday.

TEDxOilSpill will explore new ideas for our energy future, and how we can mitigate the current crisis in the Gulf. TEDxOilSpill will tackle the tough questions raised by the recent and ongoing environmental catastrophe in the Gulf of Mexico. Topics will include mitigation of the spill and the impending cleanup efforts; energy alternatives; policy and economics; as well as new technology that can help us build a self-reliant culture.

What can you expect to see? Speakers at TED events

Joining Mike and Lady Gaga on CNN's "Friday's Intriguing People" list is Robert Gilmer, a graduate student at the University of Minnesota. Gilmer is teaching a course next semester on the Gulf Coast oil disaster dubbed "Oil and Water: The Gulf Oil Spill of 2010." According to the Minnesota Daily, the course will address the current crisis in the Gulf of Mexico by educating students on the history and ecology of the Gulf, the makeup of the Louisiana economy and the impact of past oil spills on humans and the environment.

The class will not have textbooks but Gilmer tells CNN that "Mike Tidwell's Bayou Farewell: The Race to Save America's Coastal Cities will definitely be on the [reading] list."

And that's why CNN called Mike. Mike's book, Bayou Farewell, which predicted in detail the Katrina hurricane disaster in 2003, will be reissued in August with a new introduction on the BP blowout tragedy. Mike told CNN that the BP disaster likely will have a bigger impact on coastal people than even Katrina did in terms of its economic and cultural disruptions.

You can read the final chapter of Bayou Farewell, which discusses the size and scope of the drilling operation in Louisiana, on our blog.

And, in case you were wondering, Lady Gaga made the list because she and President Obama are neck in neck in a race to become the first living person with more than 10 million fans on facebook.

Prior to the tragic oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, the average American had no idea of the scale and scope of offshore drilling operations.

In case you missed the live broadcast Tuesday, you can listen at www.EarthbeatRadio.org. It's been a great 7.5 years as co-host. But it's time to move on. I'm especially proud of the last 20 minutes of this show as I talk about how my wonderful son, Sasha, keeps me going as a climate activist. See full summary of the last show below.

Ebert, Romm and More

Listen at www.EarthbeatRadio.org

Host Mike Tidwell reviews the highlights of seven years of hosting Earthbeat. Including a conversation with famed film critic Roger Ebert on the significance of Al Gore's movie,

I am thrilled to announce that Restaurant Nora -- one of DC's most famous eateries and America's first certified organic restaurant -- will cater a special reception from 6-7 PM as part of CCAN's Artists for the Climate event.

Their participation was just finalized and you're the first to find out about it.

Owner Nora Pouillon will prepare a range of delectable appetizers and refreshing organic beverages to help honor authors Bill McKibben, Jeff Biggers, and Mike Tidwell.

For a donation of $150 dollars, you will enjoy some of the city's absolute best food and have the opportunity to personally meet the authors. In addition, you will receive your choice of two free, autographed books from the featured writers.

Forty front row seats will be set aside for our reception guests. Space is limited to 40 guests so get your tickets now!