April 2025 - Chesapeake Climate Action Network

MoCo Kids Lead the Way: Family Environmental Scavenger Hunt Sparks Climate Action to Protect Our Communities and Environment

CCAN joined parenting author Shannon Brescher Shea to host its first post-pandemic kid-focused event in Montgomery County to help parents talk to their children about climate change and how we can build a safe, sustainable future.

ROCKVILLE, MD — Dozens of Montgomery County families came together on Sunday, April 27, for a lively and educational Family Environmental Scavenger Hunt at Rockville Memorial Library. Parenting blogger and author Shannon Brescher Shea and Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN) brought families together for a fun activity to teach children about protecting the earth and our climate. The goal: empowering the next generation to take action for a safer, more sustainable future.

Children accompanied by their families explored their community around Rockville Town Center in search of real-world examples of climate-forward practices, such as bike-friendly streets, urban gardens, and reusable mug-friendly stores. They also identified opportunities for improvements, including places dominated by car traffic or places that could be transformed into community green spaces.

“Depending on their age, some of our kids may not fully understand climate change, but they know when adults are worried,” said Shannon Brescher Shea, parenting author and blogger. “One of the best things we can do is show them that the people they trust the most – us – care and are taking action. Participating in activism as a family shows them that they, too, can take action and make a difference.”

Following the scavenger hunt, participants returned to the library to reflect on their findings. Children drew pictures of something positive they observed in Rockville and something they would like to change to better protect the environment. Kids were able to write shared notes on why safeguarding the climate matters to them, outlining the steps they hope their community will take for a better future.

“I know from my work and my own family’s experience that this kind of family education is incredibly important,” said Mustafa Abdullah, Director of Campaigns & Strategies at CCAN. “Several years ago, when the Canadian wildfires were raging and our air was filled with smog and pollutants, I had to put masks on my then two-year-old and 6-month-old to go outside. Once I put them in the stroller, I had to cover the stroller with protective plastic to then walk 15 minutes to their daycare.”

“The dramatic increase in wildfires, flooding, and other extreme weather events can be scary and overwhelming. And they are all consequences of the climate crisis. Our children will have to live with these consequences, so we need to teach them how to make our communities more resilient and adaptive to these conditions. I know anytime my child makes a mess, I ask for her to clean it up. It’s important to me that she sees me practicing that message both personally and in my activism – to see me asking that our elected officials and, more importantly, the polluters, clean up the mess they have made.”

This event highlighted the power of family engagement in climate activism and the importance of helping children see themselves as part of the solution. CCAN looks forward to hosting future events that continue to nurture environmental stewardship and resilience in Montgomery County’s youngest residents.

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Chesapeake Climate Action Network is the first grassroots organization dedicated exclusively to raising awareness about the impacts and solutions associated with global warming in the Chesapeake Bay region. Founded in 2002, CCAN has been at the center of the fight for clean energy and wise climate policy in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC.

D.C Residents Speak Out: Public Testimonies Challenge Washington Gas’s Excessive Bills

Crowds have stepped up at multiple hearings to protest the utility monopoly’s high bills and health risks, and call for PSC to reject proposed rate hikes.

“A system that leaks methane throughout is not clean, nor is it affordable.”

— D.C resident Deirdre Joy during Public Testimony on April 21, 2025. Tweet

These words, spoken by D.C. resident Deirdre Joy at a recent Public Service Commission (PSC) hearing, capture the frustration and urgency felt by many in our community. Washington Gas’s proposed 12% rate hike has sparked widespread opposition, as residents grapple with soaring utility bills and the environmental damage caused by outdated fossil fuel infrastructure.

On April 10, nearly 40 people packed a small meeting room at the Benning Neighborhood Library in Ward 7. With a hot mic and the attention of the D.C. utility regulators – the Public Service Commissioners – every person who testified spoke against Washington Gas’s latest proposed rate hike. And again, less than two weeks later, on April 21, another 40 gathered in the basement of the Petworth Neighborhood Library. Over a dozen residents testified, and again, every single resident asked the Commission to reject the rate hike.

“I think in my two and a half years at the commission, this is the largest gathering I've seen of public witnesses coming to testify on any of our cases.”

— Public Service Commissioner Ted Trabue at the April 21 community hearing

“As a customer to Washington Gas, I expect, and I thought your requirement was, to provide natural gas to my house under 24-hour monitoring and constantly upgrading your bill. And that should be part of the contract of a utility company. I have not gotten a letter saying that y'all no longer do that, that y'all have taken the money that is supposed to be with the monitoring and the upgrading. And I don't know what you've done with it. Have you given it to yourselves? Because you haven't given me any money back. And so to ask me now to give you more money for something I have been paying you for all along to keep your infrastructure safe, and now I feel like I'm being blackmailed to give you this increase or I'm going to die.”

— Public testimony from Gail Sullivan, April 10, 2025

From residents complaining about $200 gas bills even before a rate increase to testimony given by the “Monopoly Man from Washington Gas,” the message from D.C. residents is clear: we’re fed up with high bills for fossil fuels.

“The company should be focusing on fixing leaks and remedying the most hazardous issues and not embarking on a huge expansion of the entire infrastructure, particularly at a time when we should be less reliant on fossil fuels.”

— Public testimony from Marka Peterson, April 10, 2025 Tweet

“When I think about 24 percent increase [in utility bills] in two years…many working people would dream of having that kind of increase in their salaries. And…everything is heading the other way. So it's not consistent with the way the world is right now to allow wealthy companies to raise their rates so high when…the community they're serving is losing its ability to pay. And… it's putting people in jeopardy by not only affecting their health but also making it harder for them to live without having adequate funds to take care of themselves.”

— Public testimony from Peter Weiss, April 21, 2025

“A system that leaks methane throughout is not clean, nor is it affordable. Washington Gas's last rate hike, as others have mentioned, went into effect in January 2024, barely a year ago. PEPCO has already been approved for a 12 percent rate hike over the next two years. Another 12 percent on gas bills is unacceptable. Higher rates now make no sense to me as a consumer. For one thing, it means I'm investing more in a system that is harming the planet when alternatives exist.”

— Public Testimony from Deirdre Joy, April 21, 2025

Sitting in the crowd at both hearings, I was struck not just by how many folks had chosen to spend a beautiful spring evening at a community hearing, but also by the sense of solidarity in the room. From a sing-along testimony to a chorus of applause after each speaker, every speaker had the room behind them – literally and figuratively.

Want to be a part of this grassroots movement against even higher bills for fossil fuels? Come to the PSC’s last community hearing on April 29, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the PSC Hearing Room, 1325 G Street, NW, Suite 800.

Full transcripts of the April 10 and April 21 hearings are available online, and more information on D.C.’s skyrocketing utility burden is available on our blog.

RVA Steps Up for Climate Action: CCAN’s First 5K for the Planet Energizes People-Powered Movement

Families, friends, and activists ran and walked at Bryan Park to raise awareness and funds for regional environmental resilience and justice

RICHMOND, VA – On Sunday, April 27, the Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN) celebrated its first 5K For the Planet. This event brought together over 70 participants in a vibrant display of community commitment to environmental stewardship and climate action. Runners, walkers, and supporters gathered at Bryan Park to take part in the 5K run/walk, raising awareness and funds for critical environmental initiatives.

The day’s festivities featured an educational area, where participants discovered ways to get involved in climate advocacy in their communities. Attendees dove into local environmental issues, learned how to push back against polluting projects, and connected with neighbors equally passionate about clean energy and climate justice. Richmond’s local favorite, Nate’s Bagels, provided free breakfast and refreshments for participants.

“We were thrilled to see such strong community support at our first 5K for the Planet,” said Victoria Higgins, CCAN Virginia Director. “Richmond faces real environmental challenges – from polluted waterways to urban heat islands – but progress is made possible when we come together. Richmonders are in the fight for a healthier, more sustainable future.”

In light of recent setbacks in federal environmental protections, local groups and concerned Richmond residents are eager to come together and take action. Many participants voiced support for these ongoing efforts, especially as local and state leaders have stepped up to address critical issues like climate resilience, clean water, and environmental justice.

“Global solutions depend on local action. Every step we took today was a stride forward towards saving our planet,” said Courtney Dyson, CCAN’s Fundraising Director. “We’re proud to join the Richmond community in supporting local climate action, and we appreciate today’s participants for supporting CCAN’s grassroots campaigns in Virginia and beyond.”

Proceeds from the event will support CCAN’s ongoing projects focused on climate education and community resilience. The momentum from this first 5K will continue to drive meaningful change across the Chesapeake region and beyond.

Organizational sponsors for CCAN’s 5K For The Planet included: Counterspark, Chesapeake Solar and Storage Association, Ecomaids, Edward Jones Investment, and the Sierra Club Virginia Chapter.

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Chesapeake Climate Action Network is the first grassroots organization dedicated exclusively to raising awareness about the impacts and solutions associated with global warming in the Chesapeake Bay region. Founded in 2002, CCAN has been at the center of the fight for clean energy and wise climate policy in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC.

LIHEAP in Crisis: State Leaders, Advocates Warn HHS Cuts Put Low-Income Families at Risk of Utility Shutoffs and Health Emergencies

Maryland, Virginia, and DC lawmakers highlight devastating impact of eliminating the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

WASHINGTON, DC – A diverse coalition of elected officials, advocacy groups, and impacted residents held a press conference today outside of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) office in Washington, D.C., urging HHS to reverse drastic staff and funding cuts for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The press conference, organized by regional state leaders including Delegate Lorig Charkoudian (MD District 20), drew attention to how this program serves as a lifeline for millions of low-income Americans who rely on energy assistance to survive extreme weather conditions.

On April 1, the entire federal staff responsible for administering LIHEAP was dismissed as part of a sweeping reduction at HHS. The abrupt termination of LIHEAP staff threatens the effective distribution of $4.1 billion in critical funding. LIHEAP alone serves approximately 6.7 million households annually, with 40% of them including senior citizens.

“As state legislators, we work hard to keep energy rates low and protect our most vulnerable residents,” said Delegate Charkoudian, MD District 20. “LIHEAP funding plays a critical role in keeping the heat and electricity on for seniors, veterans, medically fragile individuals, and others who would otherwise have to decide between an electric bill and groceries.”

“The elimination of LIHEAP would jeopardize vital utility assistance that prevents many low-income families, especially seniors, from having to choose between paying energy bills or buying food and medicine,” said Delegate Irene Shin, VA District 8. “If these federal staffing reductions were to become permanent or lead to broader program cuts, thousands of vulnerable households would face utility disconnections and increased financial hardship without adequate alternative safety nets in place.”

Advocates at the event warned that, without federal staff to process and distribute funds, low-income families across the country are at risk of utility shutoffs, debt, and health emergencies as summer heat intensifies and local agencies struggle to meet demand.

“I cannot express how much LIHEAP helps with BG&E bills. It makes my life just a little bit easier; without it, it would be a huge crisis,” said Jackie Wright, LIHEAP recipient.

“Having electricity or heat isn’t a luxury — it’s a necessity for everyone, regardless of their income,” said Dana Wiggins, Virginia Poverty Law Center.

The elimination of LIHEAP staff also raises concerns about the future of the program because there is a possibility that funds already allocated to the program will be withheld, and no funding will be allocated to the program in fiscal year 2026.

“LIHEAP saves lives, and it has helped keep home energy more affordable for over 40 years,” said Olivia Wein, senior attorney at the National Consumer Law Center. “It’s critical that HHS ensure there is no disruption to the administration of the LIHEAP program in order to protect families during future hot summers and cold winters.”

“It’s about health and safety — keeping the heat on in the winter for very low-income, mostly senior and disabled families,” said Laurel Peltier, Executive Director of Maryland Energy Advocates Coalition. “The Low-Income Heating Assistance Program financial grants are applied directly to our most vulnerable populations’ winter utility bill accounts to make the monthly bill more affordable.”

Immediately following the press conference, a bipartisan, regional legislator sign-on letter was delivered to key HHS staff, urging swift action to restore LIHEAP’s capacity. The letter currently has 92 legislators signed on.

“Creating safer, more energy-efficient homes is a critical part of ensuring that all Marylanders can stay in their homes longer, more comfortably, and with fewer risks to their health and wellness,” said Scott Gottbreht, Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Assistant Secretary for Policy. “The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program supports fundamental human dignity and safety in our communities, and cuts or delays would undermine the stability of working families and the well-being of children throughout the region.”

“We are very concerned about the continued delays by the Trump Administration in releasing the remaining $378 million in LIHEAP funds,” said Mark Wolfe, Executive Director, National Energy Assistance Directors Association. “These funds will help about 750,000 very poor families pay their cooling bills this summer and outstanding utility debt from this year’s cold winter. And if that wasn’t bad enough, the Administration’s draft budget would zero out LIHEAP, causing unnecessary harm to more than 6 million struggling families in every state of the country.”

“LIHEAP is a lifeline every year for around 15,000 District residents who fall behind on utility bills,” said Charles Allen, D.C. Councilman Ward 6. “When the air is shut off in the summer or the heat in the winter, it becomes very serious, very quickly – people die. This isn’t a red or blue state issue – it’s about making sure people on a fixed income don’t die of heat stroke. With the entire federal office overseeing the program terminated, I am extremely concerned about how money will get to the people who need it.”

Click HERE to watch the livestream recording.

Click on photos for full view.

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This event was sponsored by: Members of the Maryland General Assembly, Members of the Virginia House of Delegates, Members of the DC City Council, Chesapeake Climate Action Network, Cancer Support Foundation, National Energy & Utility Affordability Coalition, VA Poverty Law Center, Maryland Energy Advocates Coalition, National Energy Assistance Directors Association, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers 410, National Consumer Law Center, Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, Maryland Office of People’s Counsel, International Brotherhood of Electric Workers Union 410 (IBEW410), International Brotherhood of Electric Workers Local Union 24 (IBEW 24)

CCAN Condemns Reckless Geoengineering Deployment Amid MAKE SUNSETS Controversy

Climate organization highlights dangers of unregulated solar geoengineering, calls for scientific research and transparency.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN) strongly condemns any private entity that recklessly deploys solar geoengineering techniques in any form. A private company called Make Sunsets is trying to make money by releasing sulfur dioxide into the stratosphere via hot air balloons and selling so-called “cooling credits” for every ton of carbon dioxide they offset. (Spoiler: that’s not how offsetting works). CCAN sees this as a scam, designed to make a quick buck off of science that still requires much more extensive research before any decisions can be made about its potential deployment.

CCAN supports careful research on solar geoengineering to better understand this process and what role it could potentially play in temporarily reducing the worst effects of a warming planet while we continue the clean energy transition. We need government-funded and transparent research into the topic, and not unaccountable actions by private entities.

Quentin Scott, Federal Policy Director for the Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN), issued the following statement:

“The existence of companies like Make Sunsets is precisely why CCAN supports public-funded research and opposes private money in both solar geoengineering testing and deployment. Research must be held to the highest bar, conducted with full transparency, and developed in a way that explicitly benefits the public good – not corporate profit margins.

“CCAN is speaking out in strong opposition to the work of this renegade firm because it is a dangerous distraction from the serious scientific research that needs to be done. However, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) opposition to Make Sunsets is hypocritical and factually inaccurate. EPA says that Make Sunsets may be adversely impacting air quality, but the truth is that the sulfur dioxide that this company releases is dispersed too high in the atmosphere to impact the air we breathe.

“Additionally, the EPA’s pretense of using the Clean Air Act to threaten Make Sunsets is absurd when the administration is repeatedly attacking that same landmark legislation in the courts, Congress, and public discourse. If the EPA truly stood for the principle of protecting pristine air for all Americans, they would enforce the Clean Air Act provisions that they are Congressionally mandated to enforce instead of making up new ones.”

Let’s Ensure Maryland’s Children Breathe Healthy Air

Op-Ed by Ruth Ann Norton and Anne Havemann, CCAN Deputy Director, initially published in The Baltimore Sun.

A healthy home is more than just four walls and a roof. It’s a place where people can raise their children without fear of a life-threatening asthma attack, where one can turn on heat or cooling without triggering a budget-breaking energy bill. It’s about growing opportunity, so families can thrive, building wealth they can pass on to their children.

This healthier, more affordable future is one step closer to reality thanks to a groundbreaking executive order issued by Gov. Wes Moore that calls for the development of zero-emission electric heating equipment standards (ZEHES). ZEHES, also known as healthy air standards, would enable more households to benefit from state-of-the-art technology such as highly efficient heat pumps.

As Gov. Moore said when announcing these healthy air standards, “This is about economics. It’s about jobs. It’s about how we create more opportunities for the people of our state.” If fully implemented, healthy air standards will create a more affordable, more climate-resilient, and healthier Maryland, bringing annual energy savings of $1,000 on average for Maryland families. The clean air benefits of upgrading to zero-emission heating equipment are substantial: Upgrading Maryland households with pollution-free equipment would eliminate nearly as much smog-forming pollution as taking half the state’s diesel trucks off the road.

Funding zero-emission heating equipment standards will help Maryland build on recent achievements that boost affordability and meet state climate targets. Just last year, Gov. Moore signed legislation to strengthen EmPOWER, the state’s signature energy efficiency program which has saved customers $4 billion on their energy bills. The 2024 law helped more Marylanders upgrade to clean, efficient electric appliances, and especially assisted low-income households in taking advantage of state and federal incentives to upgrade their homes with efficient electric equipment.

These benefits are especially important for low-income and Black and brown communities in Maryland who face disproportionately high energy burdens and impacts from air pollution. Low-income households have an energy burden six times higher than Marylanders as a whole, paying on average 12% of their income on energy bills. Black Marylanders are also exposed to nearly 70% more pollution from gas equipment in homes, such as gas furnaces and water heaters, compared with their white counterparts. That translates to a greater health burden, including asthma attacks, ER visits and hospitalizations along with associated medical costs.

EmPOWER shows just how valuable investments in electric appliances can be and why fully funding ZEHES so more Maryland residents can upgrade their homes is so important. In addition to providing benefits to every single Maryland household, committing to ZEHES will also boost our state’s economy, accelerating the market for heat pumps and demand for HVAC contractors. If fully implemented, Gov. Moore’s 2024 executive order could create more than 27,000 new good-paying jobs in areas like renewable energy, energy efficiency, and construction.

Zero-emission equipment like electric water heaters and heat pumps are already the best-selling heating systems in Maryland. Last year, Moore joined eight other state leaders pledging to accelerate the adoption of highly efficient heat pumps by 2030. In order to make these technologies a reality for everyone and leave no one behind, Maryland leaders must ensure that the funding to implement healthy air standards is protected from any budget cuts.

We know that the Moore administration prioritizes cleaner air and healthier communities. Ensuring that ZEHES go into effect, with the full funding originally promised, will allow more Maryland families and residents to reap the benefits of electric appliances, such as heat pumps. They’ll see their energy bills drop. They’ll watch their kids grow up with healthy lungs. They’ll be able to stay comfortable at home even when heat waves raise temperatures into triple digits.

That’s the Maryland that all of us want to see.

Op-Ed by Ruth Ann Norton and Anne Havemann, CCAN Deputy Director, initially published in The Baltimore Sun.

Ruth Ann Norton is president and CEO of the Baltimore-based Green & Healthy Homes Initiative. Anne Havemann is deputy director and general counsel of Chesapeake Climate Action Network.

Cheating the System: How PJM’s Bias Against Clean Energy Hurts Us All

A blog by Jake Schwartz, CCAN’s Federal Campaigns Manager.

PJM is cheating. As the nation’s largest regional transmission organization (RTO), with a responsibility to manage and oversee the transmission grid, the Pennsylvania-New Jersey-Maryland Interconnection (PJM) has a responsibility to deliver reliable and affordable energy to regional consumers. No energy is more infinite than that from the sun and wind. Despite this, PJM is prioritizing fossil fuel plants, cheating us out of cheaper clean energy options.

The Cost of PJM’s Fossil Fuel Dependence

PJM’s costs are skyrocketing and the reason why is clear: fossil fuels are unreliable. While PJM prioritizes future natural gas plants, already-approved clean energy projects are still waiting for interconnection to the electricity grid. The grid works best when PJM can plan years in advance how future energy needs are going to be met; if there’s unreliability, then they have to tap into additional resources, which costs more. While winter disruptions and other infrastructure issues are making fossil fuels more expensive than expected, clean energy is as cheap as ever. They’re prioritizing the wrong thing.

In February 2025, the much-anticipated Brattle Report, commissioned by a conservative group, determined that prioritizing clean energy will result in more reliability for the grid. We cannot afford the status quo. Cheaper clean energy projects that would lower costs are ready to go – PJM just has to approve their connection to the electricity grid. We’re calling on them to act now.

Delays in Clean Energy Integration

PJM has been delaying the interconnection of clean energy projects while fast-tracking fossil fuel plants in the queue, causing more unreliability. Between 2012 and 2022, PJM added three times more fossil fuel capacity than renewables, a stark contrast to other RTOs that are rapidly integrating clean energy. Over 2,200 renewable energy projects in PJM’s queue have been waiting for years to connect to the grid. This backlog includes enough clean energy capacity to power millions of homes.

Source: Brattle Economic Analysis of Clean Energy Tax Credits Report

Connecting these clean energy projects is more than just the right thing to do for their consumers; it is required by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). FERC Order 1920 requires RTOs like PJM to comprehensively plan for the future, including factoring in a high usage of renewables into their scenario planning. PJM is pushing back and trying to get off the hook for even just planning with clean energy; they seem to be in denial that the future of electricity here in the Chesapeake region is green.

Debunking PJM’s Flawed Reasoning

RTOs say that American energy consumption is projected to increase significantly by 2050, driven in large part due to new data centers for AI, and that they need fossil fuels that produce electricity 24/7 instead of just when the sun is shining to meet this demand. This is flawed reasoning for multiple reasons. With more efficient data centers and AI models coming out every year, PJM’s energy projections will likely be an overestimate, again. The release of the AI model DeepSeek, which uses ten times less energy than ChatGPT, is proof that our future energy appetite is not insatiable.

However, even if energy demand does spike, clean energy would still be the economical choice for supply. When paired with battery storage, utility-scale solar and offshore wind is cheaper, more reliable, and limitless, while fossil fuel plants cost more, take longer to build, and are inherently a finite resource. Battery storage can also ramp up much faster than gas plants, making them ideal for grid stability. With sufficient storage, solar can cover energy peaks far more easily than so-called gas peaker plants (the dirtiest kind of gas plant), removing the need to prioritize fossil fuels at all.

Right now, clean energy developers are building all over the East Coast. PJM needs to overcome its institutional bias of the energies of yesterday and prioritize the electricity of tomorrow – connecting them to the grid now instead of letting gas plants cut the queue – to guarantee the cheaper, cleaner energy future that we all deserve.

A Call for Change: Get Involved and Advocate for Clean Energy

Friends of Chesterfield Community Meeting on Dominion’s Peaker Plant Thursday, Feb 27, 2025

State governments within PJM’s jurisdiction are already pushing for change by creating voluntary forward clean energy markets to meet their climate goals. There are other actions that governors can take as well. In Pennsylvania, Governor Shapiro worked with PJM to settle a lawsuit and lower the capacity auction price cap by over 20%, averting a runaway auction price that would have unnecessarily increased energy bills. In all, this move by the governor saved consumers $21 billion over two years.

As PJM electricity rates are expected to rise in June 2025, there is no reason other governors can’t do the same and help lead the clean energy transition, saving their constituents billions in the process. Join the fight for clean energy and against rising utility costs by becoming part of CCAN’s state-based action teams. Together, we can push for reforms that prioritize renewable energy projects, hold PJM accountable, and ensure a sustainable and affordable energy future for all.