Voices of the Climate Movement from CCAN’s Polar Bear Plunge

Voices of the Climate Movement from CCAN’s Polar Bear Plunge

In this episode of of Upside Down, we discuss CCAN’s biggest fundraiser for the past 16. The Polar Bear Plunge has been a staple event for CCAN supporters and this year – due to COVID – the show went virtual. This episode is the audio from our big name speakers that joined us for our favorite event of the year; Congressman Donald McEachin, Bill McKibben, and Reverend Lennox Yearwood. 

Read the full transcript below.

Charles Olsen  0:04  

Hi, my name is Charlie Olsen. And this is Upside Down the podcast from the Chesapeake Climate Action Network. Last week CCAN hosted its 16th annual polar bear plunge to keep winter cold. We were joined by guest speakers, Congressman Don McEachin, of Virginia. Author Bill McKibben, and the Reverend Lennox Yearwood of the Hip Hop Caucus. Enjoy.

Mike Tidwell  0:38  

Hi, I’m Mike Tidwell, director of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, and welcome to the first ever national polar bear plunge to fight climate change and to keep winter cold. As you know, we usually do this plunge on the banks of the Potomac River at National Harbor. But this year, due to COVID-19, we have had to do a virtual plunge- the first ever virtual plunge. So after 15 years of doing the plunge locally, today is our first national plunge. And it’s gonna be great with folks participating from New York to North Carolina, to New Mexico to California. And as of this minute, we have raised an incredible $180,000 on our way to a goal of $200,000 to support climate, the climate work of CCAN and our many partners in the faith, environmental and justice community. Today, I’m broadcasting from the Tacoma Park office of CCAN. And I’m just really, really looking forward to this event today on zoom. We have lots of other people watching on Facebook live, and other platforms. So we want to welcome all of you to this broadcast of our kickoff of the 2021 polar bear plunge. Now we’re usually again freezing and nervous at this point. In the real world, for this rally, you all would want me to be really fast and the speakers to be brief. And to wrap up so that we can get to the fun slash terrifying water part of jumping in the Potomac River. So in an effort to virtually replicate the real experience, we’re going to keep this kickoff pretty brief, just 30 minutes or so. Then we’re going to cut you all loose to get wet and cold and come back later this afternoon to share videos and photos and testimonials. Now again, many of you are indeed about to go jump in rivers and ponds across America after this zoom kickoff, or dunk cold buckets of icy snowy water over your head. But some of you including myself have already gleefully suffered through our plunges. And we’re all about to see some lovely day before Valentine’s Day lovely proof of our watery plunges during this zoom kickoff. And you’re also about to hear some great speakers, including congressman Don McEachin of Virginia, the legendary Bill McKibben and CCAN board member and Hip Hop Caucus CEO, the Reverend Lennox Yearwood, but first, I need to thank all of you for raising money. First of all, you individual plungers have really made this possible. I shout out to April Moore in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia to Laurie Hill, in that Seneca Lake in New York, Paul Lochner in New Mexico, and of course, Obama administration, former Secretary of Education John King, who you’ll see shortly in a video and later this afternoon in person. So special thanks to all of you. And also a special thanks to our progressive business sponsors, who have given generously to the plunge: My Mom’s Organic Market, Neighborhood Sun,  Amalgamated Bank, Green Commuter, Soupergirl, Black Ankle Vineyards, Green Line Paper Company and others. We’re going to talk more about those incredible companies in a bit. Now also a big thanks to the CCAN staff. Somehow despite COVID we have pulled off this virtual plunge due to the hard work and creativity of the staffers here at CCAN. Especially Courtney Dyson, and Janet Redmond, so many thanks to them for helping us to break our plunge fundraising record. We’ve already raised more money this year than ever before, despite the pandemic. And we want of course, to express our grief to all the families who have lost loved ones in this pandemic, a tragedy and many ways made worse by climate change and unless we fix our broken planet, this could reoccur in various ways in the future, unless we create a clean and sustainable world economy, which is what CCAN and CCAN Action Fund are all about. For the past 18 years. We’ve done things like stop the Atlantic coast pipeline in Virginia, everybody. Give yourselves a round of applause for that great victory to pass comprehensive clean energy mandates in the District of Columbia and Lawrence. And launch the beginning of an East Coast offshore wind industry and Maryland. And now- and now we have a new President Joe Biden, who has committed to a $1.9 trillion plan over four years to finally move our entire nation off of fossil fuels for good and on to wind and solar energy and battery efficiency. At the center of the Biden plan is a commitment to pass- In the year 2021, a bill to mandate 100% carbon free electricity by the year 2035, with equity and justice for disadvantaged communities. So that last part 100% clean electricity by 2035 is our rally cry on this, the first ever national polar bear plunge. So with that, I want to turn to our very first video of the day, we’re going to show you see CCAN’s National Policy Director, Jamie DeMarco, the guy who’s going to be leading our work on Capitol Hill, partnering with groups all over the country to pass a 100% clean electricity standard. But listen, It’s now my pleasure to introduce our first featured speaker of this 2021 plunge kickoff. Congressman Don McEachin. Congressman McEachin is an old friend of CCAN. He represents the Commonwealth of Virginia’s fourth district, as a member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, the House Committee on natural resources and the Select Committee on the climate crisis. And if you can’t tell by the committees, he’s on Don McEachin is one of us. He’s absolutely dedicated to solving the climate crisis as a top priority with justice and equity. And we look forward to working with down the path 100% clean electricity law in the coming months as well as other features of Biden Harris climate plan that Don McEachin himself helped develop. And now I give to you, Congressman Don McEachin.

Congressman McEachin  6:57  

Thank you so much, Mike, and to the rest of the CCAN folks here. Thank you for having me on. To Jamie, if you didn’t have my vote before you certainly have it now. That was just an amazing feat that you just did jumping into that cold water. So God bless you for. To Reverend Yearwood, thank you for being with us. It’s so good to see you again. And to Bill McKibben. It’s good to make your acquaintance. Thank you for all the hard work you’ve done for so many years working in the venues to bring issues like the environment to the fore. And to all of you all who (are) on this call. It’s a new day. It is a new day, I forgive my partisanship. But as a blue Congress, as a congress is actually going to pass the President’s environmental plans, we’re going to get that clean energy plan done, we’re going to get this off of carbon fuels. But we’ve got a lot of work to do between now and then. We’ve got to set up guideposts, we need to help figure out what our guideposts will be. We need your help talking to some democrats and also republicans because this does not need to be a partisan issue. This is about everybody’s children. This is about the one earth, the one gift we have that we all collectively have. And passing along in a better fashion way than we found it. There’s absolutely no reason why we can’t have Democrats and Republicans unite on this claim. It doesn’t have to be my way or the highway. But we ought to be able to agree that we need to lessen our carbon footprint, we need to get off fossil fuels. And we need to move towards a future that our children will thank us for. So I’m not going to take up a whole lot of time you got other folks to talk to, to hear from your other videos, apparently of other people who are brave enough to jump in cold water. But I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart, not just for what you’ve done, but for what you’re going to do. Because the grassroots activism that you add to this movement, the intellectual capacity that you add to this movement, is critical if we’re going to be successful, so May the Lord bless you and keep you. Let’s go forward together in a good partnership. And let’s get this done, not just for us, but for the generations to come. God bless you.

Mike Tidwell  9:18  

Thank you, Congress Don McEachin. And I want to hand it over to our next speaker, the one and only Bill McKibben who needs no real introduction. I have to say I’ve known Bill for about 20 years in the climate movement. But I especially remember in I think it was May of 2011. Bill called me up from Vermont. And he said Mike, we got to stop this Keystone XL pipeline to bring tar sands oil from Canada, into the United States and potentially for export around the world. And Bill said, Mike, do you think we can get 1000 people arrested at the White House to draw attention to this issue? And I said, Bill, I don’t know if we can get 1000 people but I know we can get two people because I’ll join you. I’ll get arrested. Fast forward all these years later, nine years later, and the Keystone XL pipeline was finally cancelled by President Joe Biden, on his first day in office, and no one no one played a bigger role in stopping that pipeline, raising awareness about global warming, moving us toward clean energy with equity and justice than Mr. Bill McKibben, Bill, it’s a great pleasure to have you, thanks for joining us.

Bill McKibben  10:31  

A great pleasure to be with you. As always, Mike, this is always a great occasion. But I gotta say you don’t know it has to pay the slightest attention to me this year because I am not going in the water. I’ve just come off a bunch of surgeries, and the doctor says I can’t so I’m a wuss. So you don’t have to listen to anything I say. And I’ll be very brief. First thing, shout out to Takoma Park, and the headquarters of CCAN. We’ve all been watching in great honor this week as your neighbor Jamie Raskin does the right thing in the halls of Congress. And that’s a you know, reminder that he’s a great champion on this issue, too. And the news yesterday that his wife, Sarah Bloomberg-Raskin is going to end up as the climate advisor to the Treasury Department is great, great news. There’s a ton of great news. And that’s what I want to say, the work that we have done together for the last decade set up what we’re seeing now. This stuff doesn’t happen by accident, it’s not just that Joe Biden suddenly decided that he was interested in climate change, he was gonna hire all the great climate thinkers that were to come run his team. And so- no no. This is the work that everybody has done together to build and change those eight guys to make it seem normal and natural and obvious that we’ve got to move on climate, it is an astonishing shift, even from where we were a decade ago. And so that decade of hard work is behind us. Now, now. And I’m looking at Rev’s cap. Now we’ve got nine years left till 2030. When the IPCC says we have to cut emissions in half, we’ve got 14 years left until we’ve got to get 100% clean energy. That means that now we have to push. The pieces are finally in place, because of the work we’ve done. We’ve got a movement that’s able to rouse politicians and punish and reward them. We’ve got the technology now in the form of cheap solar power and cheap wind power to do what needs doing. Now we just have to push. And it seems like we should get a rest and a break and a vacation. But we actually need now to work harder than we’ve ever worked. Not forever, not for 50 years, because 50 years from now, it’s too late to affect the outcome of this. The next decade is what we’re talking about, these next years when things are absolutely on the line. And so CCAN will be at the heart of this, as it always is. It plays this amazing dual role of changing the region that it is in. And because that region is the seat of the most powerful nation on Earth, also changing the politics of that nation and hence of the world. And so its pivotal role in our climate future is as vital, maybe more vital than ever. Now it seems like Washington may finally be going to work on this. So congratulations to everybody. Keeping winter cold is very close to my heart. It was four below zero when I went out this morning to walk the dog up here in Vermont. So we’re very grateful to you all for the work that you’ve done to make sure that we still have some of these days when you breathe in and hairs in your nose stick together. And that’s you know, that’s the future that we need a world that works the way we know it works and it couldn’t be more thankful to all of you for getting it done.

Mike Tidwell  14:20  

Thank you so much Bill and a little bit of Bill McKibben trivia here. I mean, if I don’t know that there’s anyone who loves winter more than Bill McKibben or wants to keep winter cold for them Bill. He’s an avid cross country skier. In fact, he wrote a book about it years ago. So trivia questions, you would put it in the chat. Who knows what obscure continent, unlikely continent, Bill McKibben has competed- actually raced competitively and cross country skiing in the past. If you know the answer, put it in the chat. Because it might surprise you. Bill, thanks again. We always appreciate you.. And now I want to turn this over to our next and final featured speaker, the Reverend Lennox Yearwood, a member of the CCAN Board of Directors, president and CEO of the Hip Hop Caucus, one of my oldest friends in the climate movement, a man who, who inspires all of us across the country every day with his passion and commitment to justice and clean energy, Reverend Lennoxx Yearwood.

Reverend Yearwood  15:26  

Hey, Mike, how are you, I somehow didn’t get the memo that we were supposed to do this part inside. So I think that you sent it to McEachin. And to Bill. But somehow, I love winter. And I want to keep winters cold. So here I am. And I’ve been freezing the whole time watching it. So I’ve had the actual effect of what it feels like to be out there by the National Harbor and be this waiting patiently but freezing and can’t wait to go in the water. I’m so happy to be with you. I’m such a, I’m so proud to be on the board to be an active network. And your investment in this organization is worthwhile. And so important. I have called CCAN, literally the first responders to the climate crisis, because of where they are physically placed in our nation’s capital. And the important work they do in regards to Maryland, Virginia, DC. And on the federal level. I got a question for Jamie, because Jamie did something kind of crazy. So you have to make sure. Actually you guys have the right guy to go take on progress, we need a little bit of chutzpah! so we can take on Congress. But I just want to tell you that this organization is critical. And so thank you for supporting CCAN and continuing to support CCAN. But the reality is, we need to win on climate. We’re at a critical moment, as you’ve heard, President Biden is doing some amazing things. The Keystone XL pipeline was stopped. You heard my dear, my dear, dear friend Bill McKibben earlier talking about the Keystone XL pipeline and what needs to still happen. And there are still many pipeline fights that are happening, shouting that we were able to stop the Atlantic coast pipeline. And as we’re speaking now, there are those who are in southern Minnesota, calling for stop line three, and we left stop line three in every single pipeline project across this country, for more important what the Biden plan does is that it calls for 100%, free energy by 2035. And more important, and as a $2 trillion investment toward that. And out of that 40% of that will be put towards an equity process, including putting that money to a disadvantage and poor and vulnerable communities. Imagine that equity as a part of the climate plan, which has been something that Congressman Mceachin has been calling for. So we’re now beginning to see an emergence of environmental justice, climate justice coming together. And that’s what we have to win on climate justice. We have to begin to break the silos down to ensure that we are successful. Another strong reason why I support and love seeking. I want to share this story before you go, because it was very important. As you know, last Memorial Day, we were all shocked and horrified. When we saw George Floyd literally being killed before execution style, very Jim Crow-ish as we would say, in a way that was killing a black man in this country, and we seem to be often black people. But what we saw was that our movement began to connect the dots. We knew that climate justice is racial justice, and racial justice is climate justice. And this movement, our movement began to say that, you know, it’s not just enough to fight for the planet. We must fight for the people as well. This is why I love CCAN- because many of the young people were in the street fighting for black lives, and it’s simply saying that black lives matter. The CCAN board met to pass a resolution and made sure that we understood those cries. That’s the power of connecting the dots. That’s the power of solidarity. That’s what we need to win on climate. We all come together. That’s why I’m so proud to be a board member of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network. Well, I’m so proud of this movement, because in the past month since then, I’ve seen Sierra Club and LCB and 350 and network coming together and understanding that climate justice is racial justice. So as we plunge today as you plunge today, I’m going to just be out here in the cold and that’s my

commitment. But as you know this- this is our moment that we have to win. Bill said it, my hat does say nine years. So we’re now fighting for equality. But for existence with a time clock. This is no game. We must do all we can do. It’s not about Republican or Democrats. It’s about humanity. So as you cleanse as you know that this moment we got here, and we will see 100% clean energy and 2035 all power to the people- that’s what I say right now to get you all fired up. All power to the people!  I can’t hear you! 

Mike Tidwell  20:58  

All power to the people.

Unknown Speaker  21:01  

Thank you so much.

Mike Tidwell  21:04  

Thank you, Rev. There’s a reason we always have you back clean up in these events. And thank you so much. Thanks for everything you do, everything you’re gonna do. Thank you. For all of you on the call everybody listening on Facebook Live all over the country.

Charles Olsen  21:35  

Thanks for listening to Upside Down. This podcast is produced by me, Charlie Olsen with incredible support from the entire CCAN staff. Check out the show notes for links to all the things discussed in this episode. If you want to know more about how you can get involved with CCAN and the climate fight, check out our website at Chesapeake climate.org. If you want to get in touch with us, follow us on instagram and twitter @CCAN and if you enjoy the work we do, why don’t you share us with your friends. Sharing the show is a super easy way to help spread the word about the work we’re doing in the fight for bold climate actions. Thanks again for listening. We’ll see you next time.

A Bike Ride Across the Permian Basin

A Bike Ride Across the Permian Basin

Author, climate scientist, and CCAN board member Dave Goodrich is an avid cyclist. So much so that he has embarked on a 700 miles journey across the Permian Basin. On his way he has been taking in the sites of the most active oil producing area in the country, and documenting what he sees. 

We are so excited to be have been able to chat with him last week after his first leg of the journey. Stay tuned for the rest of his story! 

Read the full transcript below.

Charles Olsen  0:12  

Hi, my name is Charlie. And this is upside down the podcast from the Chesapeake Climate Action Network.

Janet Redman  0:33  

Dave, how are you?

Dave Goodrich  0:35  

Good, Janet, good talk to you.

Janet Redman  0:37  

Thanks for joining us today. So this will be the first of three interviews that we have with you. And before we jump in too far, I just want to let everybody know who you are. Among other thing here, the chairman of the board of directors with the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, and you also had a long career as an NOAA scientist, and you’re currently partaking on a bike ride from Santa Fe, New Mexico to Austin, Texas, covering the Permian Basin.

Dave Goodrich  1:12  

That Yeah, that’s correct. And actually, I, I literally came right in from a ride, which is why I’m a little bit a little informal. But yeah, it’s about 850 miles from Santa Fe to Austin. Where are you

Janet Redman  1:28  

on the ride right now?

Dave Goodrich  1:29  

Right now? I’m in Midland, Texas, which is a little past the midpoint of the ride. I did have a guy in one of these man camps the other day. He said, Where are you riding from? I said Santa Fe. And he paused a little bit. So where you going, Austin? He said, I’m on purpose, or did you loopback spike. Okay, so this I haven’t seen too many other cyclists on this particular route? Actually, none. So, uh huh.

Janet Redman  2:00  

And this is, I know, you’ve done a few of these kind of, I call them climate rides, because you always go on these rides with the purpose of kind of educating people about the countryside that you’re crossing along the way. And the last time we talked, you had just done the Alberta, Canada ride the tar sands down to fields. And I’m curious, how did you decide to do this ride? What what drove you to want to do this

Dave Goodrich  2:28  

was a little bit of curiosity, because you can see in the satellite images, there’s a particular channel where you can see the flaring from oil, oil and gas fields where they’re they’re flaring, basically methane gas off of the oil fields. And if you look at the United States, you see a big, a big yellow, yellow blob in North Dakota, which is the Bakken field, but the biggest of them all is the Permian Basin. And that’s the biggest, biggest field in North America right now. It is the biggest producing field. And I thought, okay, be interesting to see, if you if you’re looking at where the carbon in the atmosphere, at least the US come from, this is this is a big place. But it’s also going across Texas. It’s one of the biggest deployments of wind fields. In the US actually, Texas is the biggest state for wind power generation. And I thought of arrived and maybe a book title eventually called the land, land of fire and wind. So I’ve seen quite a bit of both of those in the last the last week and a half.

Janet Redman  3:50  

Well, tell me about your day today.

Dave Goodrich  3:54  

Today was very neat. I mean, I’ve been For starters, I needed to get to a bike shop, because I do carry a frame pump to pump out my tires, but it’s actually pretty hard to do a lot harder a lot easier if you’ve got a floor pump, which they have a bike. So when I last told the last bike shop in Roswell, New Mexico, I said you better give me some really high quality air because it’s got to get me all the way to Midland Texas week away. which it did. Yeah. So it lasted out. So I stopped by the bike shop and probably the most interesting part of the day. I had a visit set up with a petroleum engineer who has worked for oil oil firms for years and years. He was one of the lead people in the Pluto Bay and Alaska, working in the Permian Basin and all around here for his entire career. And it was very neat to talk with him. We have a lot in common. I actually know. He’s from Missouri, and I actually know Missouri pretty well from riding across it. And, and my grandfather commanded to base there. But it’s an interesting perspective from from an oil, mg, you know, he’s an engineer engineers solve problems. And the problem that he has had in front of him his entire career is how do I get oil out of the ground better and more cheaply, and recently, more cleanly? And it’s not like he’s, he’s ignorant to the the issue of climate. I mean, he actually had a pretty good handle on the the number for the current number for carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. And one of the things that I was most interested in is, how do you get rid of all this flaring in the Permian Basin? You you ride through this land, and it’s there not too many places where you can’t see a couple of flares on the horizon? It’s not like it lights up the sky, which I thought I would see. But it is all over the place. Well, you know, I

Janet Redman  6:16  

on your blog, on your website, you have the map of it looks like a night sky. And you see the Bakken oil field, and then you see the Permian Basin all lit up. So is that is that a nighttime? Or like an infrared kind of visual because it’s very kind of ominous?

Dave Goodrich  6:35  

Yeah, it is. It’s from the NOAA veers satellite, I’m not sure what wavelength they use. It particularly picks up the wavelength of burning methane. So if there’s a flaring going on anywhere in the world, the satellite sees it and picks it up.

Janet Redman  6:56  

Okay. And beyond flaring, though, isn’t methane, just autumn? It just kind of is a byproduct Anyway, when you’re extracting oil. So isn’t there? A lot of methane in these areas that is not seen is not visible? Absolutely. And, and you can

Dave Goodrich  7:14  

actually, my old outfit, Noah has flown research aircraft, basically sampling over the major oil basins, and you can just see huge spikes in methane concentrations. So there’s no question that there’s a a large amount of methane coming off of the, the oil fields. And if you really want to go after climate change as fast as you can, and methane is what you go after, because it’s 180 times more potent than co2, it eventually eventually decays. Which co2 doesn’t but but still want to get a head start on it. And and what my friend the engineer was, was saying it says, you know, I’m not against, you know, I’m, I would be very much in favor of getting rid of the flaring. It’s, it’s kind of an embarrassment on that. Yeah, it’s a waste. I mean, this is the same stuff that that can be used to heat homes. And so there are ways to do it. And there was actually congressional action week. I think about a week ago, that overturned Trump overturned the the Obama era rules on meth. And that actually just got re overturned by Congress by the Senate two weeks ago. And, and the Biden’s ministration is actively working on rules for eggs. That’s that only applies to new wells. They’re working on rules for methane venting from existing wells, which is the major source of it. And the pushback they get from from the independence is, well, if they, you know, if we have to capture all the methane, it makes a lot of wells on economical, and I’m thinking, like, okay, so if you can’t use the atmosphere as a dumping ground,

Janet Redman  9:15  

well, you know, you make a good point, you’re, you’re out there where the oil industry has been established for well over 100 years. And, and it’s it’s helped build economies, it’s helped build wealth. It’s never, you know, it was not a bad thing back when it first started. And I’m, I’m wondering, are you seeing an if the engineering you spoke with today or anyone else along the way? Um, first of all, are they are they are they feeling like you’re going to attack them because of their oil connections? Or are they understanding that they need to work the transition to a clean economy in as well and, you know, renewable energy has to be added to the mix. Is there any resistance to that?

Dave Goodrich  10:04  

Certainly, today with the guy that I was was speaking with, you know, he’s been in the field a long way is certainly a very well educated man. And and he realizes that renewables are coming on very quickly. He points out some of the problems really, with with just the grid, getting the grid in shape for charging all of these cars. He says, you know, you know, how much a Tesla supercharger draws? It’s like, okay, there’s sounds like there’s lots of work to be done. Lots of work for engineers like me. But, um, I think there is an acceptance that this is coming. But that but I think in the back of people’s minds, it’s like, jeez, I just hope I can, you know, it’s like, like the T shirt you see out here in the, in the oil patch, sometimes it says, God, just give me another oil boom, I promise I won’t blow this one. The that’s that’s not, that wasn’t his perspective at all. But I think there is, there is an acceptance that renewables are coming. I’m think there’s certainly a nervousness about how fast they’re coming. Since this, I mean, I was, I was at the, this petroleum museum just a few minutes ago, which is the Midlands museum to the oil industry. And what you see is a lot of looking back about, boy, everybody used to say that we’re at peak oil, and we’re gonna run out of oil. And that’s clearly not happening with the revolution in tracking. But you don’t see the climate word anywhere there.

Janet Redman  12:08  

I am a little surprised to that. Because, you know, it is another way to generate revenue and put jobs in place. And obviously, we know it’s a cleaner way to do things. And I, I’m just surprised that there is not, you know, some sort of a, the beginning of a movement to, to go in a more sustainable way. Well,

Dave Goodrich  12:32  

I’m put a big Asterix there, even before I wrote into Midland, yesterday, I saw the first of many of the massive wind pride projects that Texas is known for this one was won by Duke Energy in a place with the poetic name, no trees. And, you know, there were turbans just as far as you could see down down the ridge. And then you look in the other direction, and there are pump Jacks in two dimensions at the horizon. So it’s sort of like you’re looking at at. Exactly, exactly. And I was talking to another guy at a at one of the man camps the other night, and he was actually from North Carolina, there are an awful lot of people that migrate into the oil patch from long distances, and spend time work there and go back home. He’s from North Carolina, and his house is he’s on Hatteras, and his house has been flooded out twice. And he asked me said, you know, to sea level rise thing for real? And I said, Yes, sir. It is, this is kind of what I spend my career on. And, and he said it curious, they said, No, there’s, there’s there’s some land out here. That’s not near any of the oil fields. That you know, start doing some investing in that. You know, there’s gonna there’s gonna be a need for more wind farms and more, you know, big solar generators. And, and Texas has been the leader, certainly on the wind side. Mm hmm. Trying to kill.

Janet Redman  14:24  

It’s surprising. It’s an X. It’s really it’s got both it’s got the isn’t aviators, one of the largest wind projects out there.

Dave Goodrich  14:34  

Yeah, I’m going to be visiting The Aviator project. Unfortunately, on Sunday on Mother’s Day, I really, like the guy said, Oh, the the guy’s going to make a trip out to open it for you and then I go, Oh, it’s Mother’s Day. But so I’m, I’m in touch with him saying if I’ll make it really quick. But aviator is is a big one. But they’re really all over the place. They’re not necessarily don’t necessarily have the political stroke that the oil and gas industry has. Because they’re after the big Texas freeze, if you call the governor was on fox news like that day, blaming the freeze up and the power shortages on, on the winter events, or as In fact, most most of the problems were with natural gas freezing up and just their general infrastructure is not built for a big hard freeze like they got. And they’re using that kind of an excuse to propose laying all kinds of new fees on

Janet Redman  15:42  

blind misinformation coming out of that.

Dave Goodrich  15:45  

Yeah, yeah. But it may be that the wind industry has enough political muscle here to survive. It’s, it’ll be interesting to see how about that one online?

Janet Redman  16:00  

So how much longer how many more days you have before you are insane? I’m sorry, in Austin,

Dave Goodrich  16:09  

I’m going to be in Austin, I believe it’s on the 16th if I if I don’t get blown out.

Janet Redman  16:16  

If everything goes Okay, um, and what what have been your biggest obstacles along the ride physically mentally with the people you met?

Dave Goodrich  16:27  

The two things I’m out I was, you know, I play when I was was writing with this thought of, you know, oh, scorpions and rattlesnakes and aliens in New Mexico and stuff. But really, the two two obstacles were very clear. To me. It’s wind and traffic. A You know, there’s a reason they put wind farms out here. And I was thinking, Okay, I looked at the wind rose is a, you know, a climatologist, and it’s like, okay, it’s normally coming hard from the south. And then yesterday when I was trying to get to middle and in time to to meet some folks. I woke up in the morning, you know, usually it’s calm in the morning. And it’s this howling headwind. At worst light, it’s and I’m making six miles an hour into the wind and I’m thinking I’m not going to make this I have to peel off early. So that was that’s happened a few times. I went from went from winter to summer in New Mexico. Overnight, the have a 60 mile ride and at the end of the ride was going up over a pass in suddenly 40 degree rain. I that’s not what I expect out of New Mexico

Janet Redman  17:55  

arese and out of elevation because you were back up in

Dave Goodrich  18:00  

elevation there. You know, it does rain, sometimes in New Mexico. And we were going through a mountain pass probably about 7000 feet. And and you know, I had to stop and you know, put on the rain jacket. I still had you know, long tights on and everything. But by the time you know the next after the six miles of downhill into the into the motel I was borderline hypothermia. So that was that was a little crazy.

Janet Redman  18:33  

I was reading your blog about one of the days when you said it was a rare day when you actually had a tailwind. It seems like you’ve been riding into headwinds predominantly here. And I guess was the first week and you still had Lind salvo riding with you and you wrote that you finally had a tailwind and without pedaling you were going 80 miles an hour.

Unknown Speaker  18:55  

Yeah. When we were coming into someone

Janet Redman  18:58  

was just playing with you then right because yeah, I say I’m sure it came right back around.

Dave Goodrich  19:03  

Yeah, I think we were coming into coming into to Carlsbad and yeah, I mean, when it’s good boy, it’s you know, you just stick your elbows out and get night get another couple of miles an hour. So that’s, you know, that’s fun. Um, I think riding with Lynn and I think I’ve told you this but lens, the Guinness Record holder for it. She’s the oldest woman to ride across the US. And also across Canada also holds it for Canada too. Yeah, I mean, she’s just you know, it’s not necessarily she is the the strongest out of the blocks but she owns the route 50 miles now at 50 without, without he owns the road. It’s like, I cannot stay with her. But if it’s not like that, it’s kind of like, I have some strong hours and she has some strong hours. And that really, that really helps things. And when

Janet Redman  20:13  

it sounded like the two of you were great partners riding together. And plus you had your wife helping you kind of a SAG wagon, right? Yes, that would have made it a lot nicer for that first week for you.

Dave Goodrich  20:25  

That was that was a lot that was a lot nicer when they when I saw them, turning head back towards Santa Fe, it’s like, oh, boy, I’m on my own now and into the ninja the Permian. Really, really?

Janet Redman  20:39  

Well. Um, so tell me what are you looking forward to between now and and Austin,

Dave Goodrich  20:45  

a couple of things the I’m interested in, in what this what these big wind projects look like. I mean, they’re the biggest in the country, some of the biggest in the world. And they’re not close to Metropolitan metropolitan areas, because you need big open spaces. And I’d like to see what the inside of one of them looks like. And there’s also a sort of the touristy side of things. Coming into Austin, I’ll pass through Johnson City, which is Lyndon Johnson’s hometown, the the western White House there. And also you wouldn’t think Texas would be a place for the Museum of the Pacific War. But Chester s came from Fredericksburg, Texas, went to the Naval Academy and did pretty well from there.

Janet Redman  21:42  

Crazy. So the Pacific War Museum is in Texas

Dave Goodrich  21:46  

is in Fredericksburg, Texas. And then, and then there’s Austin and Austin’s gosens kind of a whole whole different thing. And I’m looking forward to putting my feet up for a

Janet Redman  22:01  

day, what I really love about the rides that you take is that you are going to places that most people will never see, you know, you’re going through some really difficult terrain, some very bleak terrain. And, and you’re able to show that to people, the good and the bad, which I think is really really helpful. Um, and I appreciated that with with your last ride from, you know, Alberta, and I’m looking forward to what you’re, you know what this looks like to us. Are you going to write another book? Is that your thought or I’d like

Dave Goodrich  22:36  

to I’m trying to think about things quite a bit as I go along and try and preserve some of the the the stories along the way. And, and some of the lines that guy asking me if I did the right on I was doing the right on purpose or if I lost a bet it’s like okay, that’s it uh, so Um, so yeah yeah there’s there’s there’s some times where when you see half the trucks in West Texas coming at you in the in the other direction and you’re kind of on this skinny little shoulders like, Okay, it’s time to find a plan B real fast.

Janet Redman  23:27  

Are you seeing any other bikers out there?

Dave Goodrich  23:30  

Um, I haven’t seen one now, I mean, I had some some very kind truck drivers will will honk at me I think they’re they’re kind of encouraging on or or, or maybe you got to be nuts. clock that that’s there too. But But yeah, it’s it’s different. It’s like there’s there’s almost a royalty to the oil business here. One of the things that stuck in my mind, Artesia, New Mexico is a is an oil town. And they’ve got a whole statue of a wellhead and you know, kind of how it’s done. And on the side are two oilman real people basically cutting a deal on the hood of a pickup truck. And it’s like, yeah, that’s that’s kind of what it’s about here. It’s like here you come here to make your fortune. A lot of people have

Janet Redman  24:39  

very entrepreneurial and and kind of like a How the West Was one idea or restart of these empires? Very much. So

Dave Goodrich  24:47  

very much so and and, you know, the Permian museum is, you know, you build an empire you, you know, you want to, you want to put a monument to what it was about what you were doing.

Janet Redman  25:00  

Yeah, but it should as they should be, you know, that’s what they did was really ahead of the curve, you know that, that they were willing and had the courage to pursue. I mean, now obviously we aren’t. It isn’t how we wish we had done things maybe but at the time it was they were very brave, actually, you know, they were they were taking huge risks

Dave Goodrich  25:25  

to try to go after fossil fuels. Yep, it is, it is a boom and bust business. No question about that.

Janet Redman  25:33  

I was wondering if anything has actually been easier than you expected?

Dave Goodrich  25:38  

Well, there’s one thing. The, the terror of writing in the, in the southwest for for cyclists. What you hear about is goat heads. And it’s like, what is that goat heads are actually an invasive species of weed that are perfectly designed, they’re about this big. And if you look at them closely, they’ve got two thorns that are the perfect size for a bike tire. I’ve run into them before riding out west and, and lens written across Texas. And she said, one thing you don’t do, you don’t put your tire in any kind of greenery, because you don’t know what’s in there. I mean, most most, everything out here has thorns in it. I made from mesquite, and, uh, you know, all kinds of things. So I was thinking I was going to have a lot more flats, and kept expecting them. I’ve got three spare tubes with me and a patch kit. So it’s like, I’m ready. But so far, the tires have held up very well, there’s a brand called schwabe marathon that’s got some puncture protection in it, and they’re really good. So that mechanically, things have held up pretty well. Okay. And

Janet Redman  27:11  

I know you were ultra prepared.

Dave Goodrich  27:15  

Yeah, well, that’s one thing about the big rides, it gets you, if you know, you’re going to do it, then it really you know, it’s kind of like the impending doom the focus the mind wonderfully, that. It’s like, I better be in shape, you know, when the wheels start spinning here, and especially since I was riding with Lynn, who’s, who’s always in ridiculous shape. I mean, she’s an athlete. And the, so I’m it. I was trying to be very prepared. But as you get close, every little twinge in your knee, or, you know, oh, my foot didn’t, didn’t feel right, getting up to you today, is that a problem? And you start getting get paranoid about that. But, um, so far, you know, all with all the tendons and spokes seem to be intact, incredible,

Janet Redman  28:12  

incredible. Dave, I mean, you qualify as an athlete to you know, that you absolutely, absolutely. It’s just, it’s so exciting. And, you know, we’re very proud of you and very excited to follow along with what you’re doing.

Dave Goodrich  28:27  

Well, thank you. Thanks. It’s, it being out here does make you kind of swallow hard about the climate job we have ahead of us. Because there is so much momentum and money and, and people’s livelihoods that are that’s involved here. With changing the economy, and right now, Midland and the Permian Basin is powering a big chunk of our economy, whether we, you know, where we thought and that’s, that’s something that we kind of have to go after. Go after is a bad word find find other you know, find other ways to generate our energy.

Janet Redman  29:15  

Yeah. And and making it a just transition. So we are keeping people employed. as we as we make the transition. It’s so important. I can tell you we owe them a lot actually, you know, we owe the people that are out there in the in the oil fields, a lot that we’re here where we are today.

Dave Goodrich  29:36  

So and then I’ll tell you there there are so many abandoned wells out here too. are in need of capping. capping. Yes. But

Janet Redman  29:47  

that’s that’s one of Biden’s ideas right to tell people to work capping the old abandoned walls out there.

Dave Goodrich  29:54  

I mean, you can see what happened in Pennsylvania from the the coal mine From 100 years ago, are still leaching acid. And so many of the streams in Pennsylvania are still acidified because of acid mine waste. It’s like, we don’t need to repeat that,

Janet Redman  30:15  

in my mind, learn learn from history this time.

Dave Goodrich  30:18  

Yeah. Yeah, I think so.

Janet Redman  30:21  

Well, I know we’re talking again, on one day.

Dave Goodrich  30:26  

Very good. And I should be in in San Angelo, then and I’m looking forward to seeing seeing you again.

Janet Redman  30:33  

All right, thanks. Thank you so much. Stay safe out there. Take care of yourself and eat and sleep and everything else you need to do to be healthy and get through this. We’re looking forward to talking to you again.

Dave Goodrich  30:46  

Looking forward to talking to you, Janet.

Charles Olsen  31:05  

Thanks for listening to upside down. This podcast is produced by me, Charles. with incredible support from the entire weekend staff. Check out the show notes for links to all the things discussed in this episode. If you want to know more about how you can get involved with seeking in the climate fight, check out our website at Chesapeake climate.org. If you want to get in touch with us, follow us on instagram and twitter at seeking and if you enjoy the work we do, why don’t you share us with your friends. Sharing the show is a super easy way to help spread the word about the work we’re doing in the fight for bold climate action. Thanks again for listening. We’ll see you next time.

Virginia Clean Economy Act: A Big Step Forward on Climate Policy

House and Senate Pass “Virginia Clean Economy Act” on Tuesday, Feb 11

By Mike Tidwell

When it comes to clean energy policy, environmental activists nationwide commonly think of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network as true “climate hawks.” We sue polluters. We picket against companies like Dominion Energy. And when the time is right, our lobbying arm CCAN Action Fund, pushes HARD for transformative clean energy laws. Our collective actions over the past 18 years have led Bill McKibben of 350.org to call CCAN “the best regional grassroots climate group in the world.” 

So when I tell you we strongly support the Virginia Clean Economy Act, it’s for one reason: It’s a strong and transformative bill. This legislation, which passed in both the House of Delegates and the Senate on Tuesday, February 11th, will now cross over to be heard in the opposite chamber. The goal is to get it to the Governor’s desk as soon as possible, where he says he wants to sign it.

CUTTING TO THE CHASE: This bill shuts down Dominion’s coal-fired power plants in a HURRY. It brings a tidal wave of wind and solar power to Virginia. And it protects low-income ratepayers with ironclad provisions.

Both House and Senate versions of the VCEA would effectively shut down ALL of Dominion’s coal plants by 2030. All of Virginia’s utility-owned gas plants – all of them – would shut down by 2045,  but probably much sooner under this legislation. At the same time, the House and Senate bills will midwife the largest offshore wind farms in the nation and turbo charge the spread of both distributed rooftop solar power and properly sited solar farms. Both bills invest half a BILLION dollars in energy efficiency gains for low-income households over the next decade. And they cap the electric bills of low-income families at a guaranteed sustainable level, a game-changing move. Finally, despite the understandable suspicion (given history) that Dominion would only agree to a bill that gouges ratepayers, these bills contain bill-lowering competition for solar and wind projects that will keep prices down. The House bill, meanwhile, has even stronger mandates for energy efficiency gains to protect consumers. 

WHO SUPPORTS THE BILL?

Before digging into the bill in greater depth, keep in mind that the Virginia Clean Economy Act is supported by the biggest clean energy coalition ever assembled not just in Virginia but perhaps in the nation. I say this from experience working across the mid-Atlantic and in much of the rest of the country. It is a sign of the times and a sign of the extraordinary work done in Virginia that virtually every major environmental group in the state, all the wind and solar companies operating in the state, and yes the main electricity polluters – Dominion and Appalachian Power Company – support either the Senate version of the bill or the House version. (Both bills make strong progress and will have a hearing in the opposite chamber soon). The supporters are too many to name here but they include Sierra Club, Virginia Interfaith Power and Light, CCAN Action Fund, Southern Environmental Law Center, Sigora Solar, Orsted wind, and many progressively run corporations in the state like the Mars candy company and Akamai Technologies. This type of coalition is unprecedented in a southern coal state, for sure, but virtually unheard of anywhere in the country. Again, for critics who suspect Dominion is just gaming the system with another anti-consumer bad energy bill, you would have to believe that all of the groups – including mine – have been deceived after weeks of negotiations and careful bill writing. The truth: these groups support the bill because the net positive effect is tremendous for Virginia.

lobby day rally

250 people came to Richmond to lobby for the VCEA in January.

A DEEPER DIVE INTO WHAT THE VCEA DOES: 

Creates New Ratepayer Protections to Keep Bills Low

The Virginia Clean Economy Act would provide half a billion dollars in home weatherization funds for low-income households. It requires half of the funds from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative to help low-income residents invest in efficiency to keep bills low. The other half will go towards flooding assistance, with about $250 million earmarked for low-income communities. 

The VCEA also creates Virginia’s first binding energy efficiency savings targets. Now, Dominion Energy will have to prove that their customers are using 5% less energy over a 2019 baseline by 2025. The savings target for ApCo is 2% of current load by 2025. 

It also includes additional provisions to keep bills low for clean energy projects. On offshore wind, the bill requires Dominion to hold a competitive bidding process to find the company that will build the turbines for the best price. There’s also a cost ceiling to keep the cost of electricity low. 

On solar, the bill will allow for up to 35% of the solar required in this bill to be owned by third party companies (i.e., not Dominion). This will allow for more competitive pricing on electricity from solar power. It also would utilize the “Percentage of Income Payment Plan” (PIPP) to cap energy bills for low-income ratepayers at a guaranteed affordable level. 

Creates a Renewable Portfolio Standard

A Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) is a state law that requires utilities to deliver a specified amount of renewable energy such as wind and solar to their customers. The VCEA requires 100% clean electricity by 2045 for Dominion Energy and 2050 for Appalachian Power Company (ApCo), with a benchmark of 30% renewable by 2030. Renewable energy is defined as electricity from wind, solar, falling water, and other in-state resources. For Dominion, 75% of all renewable energy must come from the Commonwealth in 2025 and beyond.

This bill creates the only mandatory RPS with a target of 100% clean energy in the South and one of the stronger versions of the law of any state in the country, putting the state within shouting distance of leading states like Maryland. 

Expands Wind and Solar Energy

The VCEA would launch the largest offshore wind farms in America while turbo-charging the state’s solar industry. It establishes offshore wind as a substantial portion of the RPS as offshore wind comes online, and deploys 5,200MW by 2034, making Virginia a leader in offshore wind. It also includes labor provisions to require the use of local labor.

For distributed solar, it establishes rooftop solar as a portion of the RPS up to 1% annually beginning in 2021. It increases the cap on power purchase agreements to 500MW in Dominion territory and 40MW in ApCo service territories. It expands net metering by increasing the net metering cap to 6%, including 1% specifically set aside for low-to-moderate income communities, and allows larger projects to net meter. It also requires utilities to develop more than 16,000MW of renewable energy by 2035, equivalent to enough electricity for 3 million homes.

Key to the success of offshore wind and solar power is energy storage. The VCEA sets targets for energy storage of 3,100MW by 2035, including 2,700MW for Dominion and 400MW for ApCo. It also requires 10% of energy storage projects to be deployed directly “behind the meter” for power backups at hospitals, government facilities, and more.

Ends Fossil Fuel Emissions 

The Virginia Clean Economy Act would shut down virtually all of Dominion’s coal-fired power plants by 2030, all biomass facilities by December 31, 2028 and the rest of the state’s fossil fuel power plants by 2045. This makes us the only state in the South with a mandate to shut down all fossil fuels. 

While this House Bill does not create an outright moratorium on new fossil fuel development, it serves as a de facto moratorium on carbon-intensive electricity in Virginia by mandating a carbon-free grid by 2045 with exceptional interim goals by 2030. It also requires the Secretaries of Natural Resources and Commerce & Trade to report recommendations on how to achieve 100% carbon free electricity and fossil-fuel retirements. It bars the State Corporation Commission (SCC) from issuing new permits for power plants powered by fossil fuels until that study is received by the General Assembly.

Finally, it deters any utility spending on projects that do not help lower energy usage. Dominion will have to prove that they are meeting energy efficiency targets to lower overall energy usage before they are allowed to construct any new power plants powered by fossil fuels. 

Advance Environmental Justice 

Justice is incorporated into every aspect of the VCEA.  

The ratepayer protection provisions were laid out above. Further, the bill requires the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy and the Environmental Justice council to prepare a report to ensure VCEA doesn’t disproportionately burden minority and historically-disadvantaged communities. It includes language to ensure reliability is protected. And it sets the policy of the Commonwealth to consider low-income areas & historically disadvantaged communities when considering new renewable projects, energy programs, and job training. Finally, it requires utilities to consult with the Clean Energy Advisory Board on how best to inform low-income customers about their solar options.

Summary: 

This bill is not the end for the climate fight. We will have to come back for transportation, agriculture, and more, until every sector of the economy is in line with the science. But the facts speak for themselves: This bill will hold Dominion dramatically accountable on rates and fossil fuels emissions. This is the best first step on climate a state has ever taken.

Happy CCAN Virginia team after the bill passed the House.

 

Governor Hogan’s Plans to "Kick-Start" a Gas Expansion Across Maryland

While other states and cities are moving away from powering homes and buildings with gas—a potent climate pollutant—Maryland Governor Larry Hogan plans to spend $6.5 million this year in his effort to “kick-start” a gas expansion across Maryland. This $6.5 million is a portion of the $30 million his Administration can spend on expanding gas infrastructure after he negotiated the terms of a settlement allowing a Canadian company to acquire a local gas supplier.

Among the projects his Administration is backing: a new, 11-mile pipeline providing gas to two state-run facilities on the Eastern Shore. In repowering these state facilities, the Hogan Administration foreclosed the possibility of any other type of energy source by only requesting applications for gas. The government should be leading the way towards zero-emission buildings, especially when it comes to state facilities, not putting its thumb on the scale for gas.  

“Natural” gas is primarily made up of methane, an extremely potent greenhouse gas. It’s 86 times more potent than carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the atmosphere. Methane leaks during production and transportation and gas heaters themselves are inefficient. As a result, a leading scientist concludes that it may actually be better for the climate to heat your home with coal or oil than with gas. In an era of rapid climate change, we cannot wait to replace all of these polluting fossil fuels with electricity powered by clean sources like wind and solar.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, electric alternatives exist for all major energy end uses in buildings. Space heating, water heating, and cooking account for the vast majority of direct fuel usage. Electric technologies exist, and are in use today, that can supply all of these end uses.In 2017, Hogan signed a ban on fracking for gas in Maryland, saying that his administration had “concluded that possible environmental risks of fracking simply outweigh any potential benefits.” Since signing that ban, however, the Hogan Administration has continued to call gas “a bridge fuel” and has worked consistently to kick-start a gas expansion across the State.

Read the white paper here

Offshore Wind Energy is a Breeze: Economic Benefits

By Chloe Taylor, Katrina Vaitkus, Justin Stacey, Zachary Felch, Amanda Speciale, Katie DeVoss, and Miranda Mlilo
Who we are:

Left to right: Chloe Taylor, Katrina Vaitkus, Zachary Felch, Justin Stacey, Miranda Mlilo, Amanda Speciale, and Katie DeVoss

We are a group of University of Maryland students majoring in Environmental Science and Policy. For our senior capstone project, we are researching the impact of offshore wind energy  to help CCAN prepare for the upcoming public comment period for the proposed Ocean City US Wind Project. We will be creating a series of blog posts to provide information about different aspects of offshore wind and its impacts on greenhouse gas emissions, the economy, and wildlife. This is the second of our three part series.

There seems to be a common misconception that offshore wind energy might hurt Ocean City’s economy. This could not be further from the truth! In fact, research suggests that an offshore wind farm may actually bolster very important sectors of the economy such as tourism, real estate, and job creation.
Tourism and Real Estate
Many polls have surveyed beachgoers and gathered data about their vacationing preferences after the theoretical construction of offshore wind turbines. The results were generally positive for offshore wind, and showed either no change in beach preferences, or an increased likelihood that tourists would visit the area. For example, one Goucher poll from fall 2017 surveyed Marylanders to find out how the proposed offshore wind project would impact whether they choose Ocean City as a vacation destination. Out of 671 Marylanders, 75% of people said that the offshore wind farm would make no difference about where they choose to vacation. Additionally, 12% said that the presence of a wind farm might make them more inclined to visit, out of curiosity and interest.
This sentiment was further emphasized by Jessica Willi, Executive Director of the Block Island Tourism Council who stated that after the construction of the Block Island offshore wind farm, “We’ve definitely seen more people on the island that have come just to see the wind farm; we’ve had businesses sprout up on the island, boats taking people out just to see the wind farm.”
Additionally, a French study found that turbines will bring an increase in biodiversity and wildlife. This will expand the tourism market, bolstered by the desire to view, learn about, and interact with wildlife through activities like observational boating and diving around turbine foundations!
Furthermore, it is unlikely that there will be any negative impacts on real estate prices. While there is no existing data regarding real estate impacts from offshore wind farms, there are studies from onshore facilities located close to homes indicating that real estate will not be affected. Since offshore wind farms are located several miles off of the coast and have negligible visibility, data showing no effect from turbines located close to homes onshore would likely support a lack of impact for offshore turbines far from homes and other properties.  In fact, benefits from tourism and lower electricity costs might even increase property values.
A 2013 study by Ben Hoen and colleagues found no statistical evidence that wind turbines affected nearby home prices in either the post-announcement/pre-construction or post-construction period. They found that while sale prices might temporarily decrease following the announcement of construction, labeled the “anticipation effect,” these decreases will wear off following construction.
Job Creation
US Wind plans to invest millions of dollars into Baltimore’s industrial and manufacturing sector. This substantial investment into the local economy is the root of the job opportunities for the city from the offshore wind project. Revitalization of the manufacturing industry could lead to the creation of hundreds of jobs in the greater Baltimore area, contributing to the 3,580 jobs the Public Service Commission of Maryland has required US Wind to create in the state. At every step of the process, employment opportunities abound. Skilled workers from numerous disciplines are essential to upgrade the facilities at Tradepoint Atlantic (at Sparrows Point) and other locations. An independent study for the Department of Energy forecasts the creation of up to 600 jobs and 33 million dollars in compensation during this stage alone. After the improvements are complete, over 150 tradespeople will likely be employed at the fabrication facility constructing steel jacket foundations — these jobs will continue even after the Maryland offshore wind project is complete as the East Coast’s offshore wind industry grows. Such professions can pay over 20 dollars an hour.
Not only does Baltimore stand to gain significant employment opportunities, so does Ocean City. As the closest city to the project, there is a unique chance to participate in the construction and upkeep of the wind turbines. Specialized workers from crane operators to electricians may be called on to help in the construction of the turbines while receiving payment upwards of 25 dollars an hour on average, if not more. Perhaps the most interesting job prospect is the chance to become employed as wind turbine service technicians. With a lifespan of 25 years, the turbines will require constant check ups and maintenance by locally-based technicians. Community colleges and technical schools are the key to getting a foot in the door with a 2-year degree or 1-year certification in the field. With a 96% job outlook in the coming years, the time is now to enter the profession.
Economic Benefits in Maryland
This project will also generate millions of dollars for Maryland’s economy, providing more jobs and emerging business investments. Maryland created the Maryland Offshore Wind Business Development Fund to encourage future project development. US Wind is required to contribute $6 million to this fund between 2017-2019, which will help other businesses emerge and profit within this novel industry. US Wind has pledged to invest 26.4 million dollars in upgrades to the Tradepoint Atlantic port facility, and an additional 51 million dollars in another steel facility, further solidifying their commitment to the local economy and job growth. US Wind is required to spend at least 19% of total development and construction costs within Maryland. Their studies estimate this in-state expenditure to be $610 million during development and construction, and another $744 million (valued in 2017 dollars) in the operation phase. This offshore wind farm will provide millions of dollars to the state’s economy and help advance business interests.
In addition to these state benefits, Marylanders do not need to fear exorbitant electricity costs. There may be some concern over how the state will offset the costs to build the project, such as raising the price of electricity. However, Maryland law prohibits residential rates from exceeding an additional $1.50 per month (valued in 2012 dollars) through 2040. For businesses and other non-residential payers, this increase is less than 1.4% annually. While this is a small increase, it is still advantageous to build the wind farm, as it helps the state comply with its renewable energy standards. Additionally, the cost of electricity should decrease over time as this project encourages future offshore wind projects in the pipeline. In one National Renewable Energy Laboratory study, they found the cost of electricity in the mid-Atlantic will decrease through 2027 with the installation of offshore wind projects currently in the pipeline. Compared to 2015 prices, the data reflect a 41-52% cost reduction in 2027 per megawatt hour to the mid-Atlantic! Thus, constructing this project will only have small rate increases to Maryland ratepayers, but will decrease future regional energy costs while meeting our renewable energy goals.
In conclusion, offshore wind has the potential to increase tourism and property values in Ocean City. The project will create jobs, stabilize electricity rates, and increase Maryland’s Taylor x revenue. Stay informed, get involved, and let our government know that you support offshore wind in the state of Maryland!
SIGN THIS PETITION TO THE BUREAU OF OCEAN ENERGY MANAGEMENT URGING THEM TO APPROVE OFFSHORE WIND IN MARYLAND!

Learn More: Bringing Offshore Wind to Maryland

Coalition Filings Could Halt Fracked Gas Pipeline Construction

Advocates for Clean Air and Water Seek Stay on Atlantic Coast Pipeline Pending Court Decision


RICHMOND, VA — Today, a coalition of environmental advocates filed two requests to stop construction of the controversial fracked gas Atlantic Coast Pipeline (ACP) in the US Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit. The first is a motion to stay construction pending the court’s decision on the merits in an existing case for which the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has challenged the court’s jurisdiction. The second is a petition for relief under the All Writs Act, asking the court to halt construction pursuant to the FERC Certificate pending FERC’s resolution of the coalition’s request for rehearing, which FERC contends is still pending despite the fact that the agency is allowing construction of the ACP to proceed pursuant to the challenged Certificate. The second is filed in the alternative to the first and asks that the court act on it only if it agrees with FERC that the court does not have jurisdiction over the petition for review.
These filings challenge FERC’s failure to demonstrate that the pipeline is actually needed by the public. The groups contend that the overwhelming evidence shows the true purpose of the ACP is to provide profits for the shareholders of the pipeline’s financial backers, Duke and Dominion, at the expense of those utilities’ ratepayers. The effect of the filings would be a halt to the construction of the ACP until the court considers the coalition’s existing challenges to the FERC certificate that authorizes construction. FERC and ACP have ten days to respond.
Attorneys with Appalachian Mountain Advocates filed the litigation on behalf of the Sierra Club, Appalachian Voices, the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, and Wild Virginia.

In response, Sierra Club Beyond Dirty Fuels Campaign Director Kelly Martin released the following statement:

“The fracked gas Atlantic Coast Pipeline is dirty, dangerous and unnecessary and not a single foot of it should be built until the families and the communities that would be threatened by this project have their day in court.”

Anne Havemann, General Counsel for the Chesapeake Climate Action Network:

“We know the Atlantic Coast Pipeline would scar pristine mountains, damage water quality, and dramatically increase greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. Yet FERC is trying to force it through without even allowing opponents their day in court. This is undemocratic and un-American and can’t be allowed.”

Peter Anderson, Virginia Program Manager for Appalachian Voices:

“The system has been rigged for years against citizens who want to challenge these interstate natural gas pipelines, which pose long-term threats to communities. FERC can essentially put legal challenges on ice while letting construction proceed, so by the time citizens have their day in court, a pipeline may be in full operation. It’s absurd, and utterly unfair. We will continue to fight to protect these communities.”

David Sligh, Conservation Director, Wild Virginia:

“For FERC to allow damage to the environment and assaults on our communities without all approvals in place and legal questions settled is irresponsible and is an assault on the way our government is supposed to work. We’ve seen where people and natural resources in Pennsylvania were harmed by premature construction activities for the Constitution Pipeline, a project that will likely never be built. FERC should be ashamed of that case and it should never be repeated.”

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Contact:
Doug Jackson: 202.495.3045, doug.jackson@sierraclub.org

About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3 million members and supporters. In addition to helping people from all backgrounds explore nature and our outdoor heritage, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.
About Appalachian Mountain Advocates
Appalachian Mountain Advocates (Appalmad) is a non-profit law and policy center dedicated to fighting for clean water and a clean energy future. Appalmad has a long history of winning precedent-setting court cases. The organization represents scores of landowners and grassroots organizations challenging four unnecessary interstate pipelines in Virginia, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania. Appalmad has worked for nearly 20 years to ensure the fossil fuel industry cannot continue to dump its costs of doing business onto the public. For more information, visit www.appalmad.org.
About Wild Virginia
Wild Virginia works to preserve and support the complexity, diversity, and stability of natural ecosystems by enhancing connectivity, water quality and climate in the forests, mountains, and waters of Virginia through education and advocacy.

DEQ Public Hearings to Cut Carbon Now in Virginia: March 6 – March 19

Participants call on DEQ to implement strong regulations against polluting, harmful power plants

VIRGINIA – Between March 6 and March 19, Virginia’s Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) will be holding six public hearings on Virginia’s Carbon Reduction Plan, or Executive Directive 11 (ED 11). Virginia is the first southern state to take initiative on limiting and capping carbon pollution from fossil fuel-burning power plants. The Virginia Carbon Reduction Plan is designed to reduce carbon emissions from fossil fuel-burning power plants by 30 percent by the year 2030, help generate new clean energy jobs, and put the Commonwealth on track for continued reductions beyond 2030. ED 11’s approach is the same one that is being successfully used in nine other states that comprise the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), and would allow Virginia to link to the existing RGGI program.
“Virginia has a chance to embrace the new technology of clean energy, move away from outdated, dirty fossil-fuel burning power plants, and enjoy the benefits that renewable energy is bringing to other states,” Kate Addleson, Sierra Club Virginia Chapter Director, said. “The ED11 hearings provide all stakeholders an opportunity to have a say in how best to safeguard our health and environment. The regulations should be included a starting cap between 30 and 32 million tons of emissions by 2020 and continued reduction of the carbon cap beyond 2030.”
“Virginia’s decision to cap carbon emissions through a market-based approach like RGGI offers a great opportunity to improve the livelihood and health of low-income families and communities of color who are most vulnerable to climate change and dirty fossil fuel pollutants. In order to achieve that goal, ED11 should ensure that there are emission reductions in environmental justice communities and that there is a mechanism that ensures reductions of greenhouse gas co-pollutant emissions by facilities located in or near environmental justice neighborhoods,” said Harrison Wallace, Virginia Policy Coordinator and Coastal Campaigns Manager at Chesapeake Climate Action Network.
“As we begin the hearings for ED11, a significant concern that must be addressed is the woody biomass loophole, which exempts Dominion Energy’s 4 woody biomass plants from the carbon regulations. Granting such significant free giveaways to industrial carbon polluters renders Virginia’s carbon program less efficient and gives Dominion an unfair economic advantage,” Walton Shephard, Policy Analyst and Attorney at the Natural Resource Defence Council, said. “Given that biomass greenhouse gas emissions are higher than those from burning fossil fuels, there’s no reason to exempt biomass from Virginia’s carbon program.”
“The clean energy industry is creating jobs, increasing manufacturing, and lowering customers’ electricity bills. In 2016, the number of solar jobs in VA increased by 65 percent. If the state received 10% of its power from the sun by 2023, Virginia would see over 50,400 more jobs. Between 2013 to 2016, energy efficiency business revenue in Virginia increased from $300 million to $1.5 billion. A policy that levels the playing field by pricing carbon will further drive clean energy investment,” said Francis Hodsoll, CEO of SolUnesco.
“Over a course of five years, RGGI states have prevented hundreds of premature deaths, reduced ER visits, and avoided thousands of asthma attacks through their carbon reduction plan. These health benefits were so great that they have even lead to positive health implications in the neighboring states, including Virginia,” Dr. Leon Vinci of Health Promotion Consults, said. “It is time for Virginia to not only accept residual health benefits from our neighbors, but to also lead the South in regulating the harmful effects of fossil fuel burning power plants at home.”
Hearings will be held across the state between March 6 to March 19. Below is a list of all hearings, locations, and times. Public comments can be submitted here: http://vasierra.club/cutcarbon
ABINGDON CARBON RULE PUBLIC HEARING: March 7, 2018 at 5:00pm
355 Deadmore St., Abingdon, VA 24210, USA
ROANOKE CARBON RULE PUBLIC HEARING: March 8, 2018 at 5:00pm
3019 Peters Creek Rd, Roanoke, VA 24019, USA
VIRGINIA BEACH CARBON RULE PUBLIC HEARING: March 12, 2018 at 5:00pm
5636 Southern Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA 23462, USA
HARRISONBURG CARBON RULE PUBLIC HEARING: March 14, 2018 at 5:00pm
4101-4599 Early Rd, Mt Crawford, VA 22841, USA
WOODBRIDGE CARBON RULE PUBLIC HEARING: March 15, 2018 at 5:00pm
13901 Crown Ct, Woodbridge, VA 22193, USA
RICHMOND CARBON RULE PUBLIC HEARING: March 19, 2018 at 1:30pm
1111 East Main St., Third Floor, Richmond, VA 23219, USA

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Contact:
Sumer Shaikh: sumer.shaikh@sierraclub.org, (774) 545-0128
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3 million members and supporters. In addition to helping people from all backgrounds explore nature and our outdoor heritage, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.

What Will Accelerate US Solar Adoption?

Written by Kyle Pennell from PowerScout (a marketplace that lets you compare multiple quotes for home solar installations)

While the United States solar industry continues to grow, creating sustainable power and job opportunities nationwide, it has a long way to go before it is on par with European countries like Germany, where solar is cheaper and more widespread.
The United States can close the solar gap by examining the solar learning curve, increasing state-based government incentives, embracing community solar, and passing laws which will see an increased solar carve out applied to the Renewable Portfolio Standard of each state.

The Solar Learning Curve

Solar hardware has been falling in cost consistently since 1977. Back then, at the beginning of the Jimmy Carter presidential administration, solar panels sold at a rate of $76.67 per Watt. Fast forward to today, and you see panels selling for less than $1 per Watt. The price of panels has fallen more than 50% since 2008, and over 100% since 1977 (more on these costs at PowerScout)
By accurately predicting this ongoing decrease, the solar industry can focus advertising efforts and plan for increased production brought about by demand. But how does one predict such things? In the solar world, it’s actually quite easy.
The solar learning curve, or experience curve, is a trackable industry pattern in which for every cumulative doubling of production volume, solar PV hardware has seen an average decrease of 20%. This is a symbiotic relationship which perfectly explains solar cost trends. As more installations occur, the price falls. As the price falls, more people book installations.
Tracking the learning curve will help solar companies focus their marketing efforts and anticipate demand.

Import Tariffs Could Cause Solar Disruption

While states should be embracing laws that help the spread of solar adoption, they should also be fighting against those that would hinder it.
In January, a new situation arose which could threaten the spread of solar adoption and offset the industry’s steady price decrease. The International Trade Commission ruled last year that solar panels produced in China serve as a detriment to the American solar production industry. This ruling gave the White House authority to impose increased tariffs on imported panels, thus potentially causing the price of solar systems in the US to rise. US President Donald Trump passed those tariffs into law on January 22, 2018. Now, all imported solar panels will see a first year tariff of 30%, followed by 25% in the second year, 20% in the third year, and 15% in the fourth. This first year tariff will add 10-15 cents per watt onto every foreign panel, increasing the price of a 7 kW system by over $1,000.   
While this could, in theory, benefit domestic solar panel producers who struggle to compete with China’s low prices, it could stand to offset the nation’s renewable energy efforts. In fact, the SEIA estimates that the decision will actually cause the loss of 23,000 American jobs.
Affordability equates to adoption, and by placing roadblocks in the path of progress, the United States could start to see the European solar market widen the gap.

Pass Laws to Increase Solar Carve Outs

Many states have what is known as a Renewable Portfolio Standard, which requires a set increase in the amount of their renewable energy production. Each RPS contains a solar carve out, which sets a percentage goal for power generated by solar panels.
In Maryland, where the RPS is 25% by 2020, the solar carve out is only 2.5%. Newly proposed legislation, spearheaded by local non-profit organizations is calling for an increase of the state’s solar carve out to 14.5%. They are also seeking to up the state’s RPS to 50% by 2030. Such a dramatic increase would do well to spread the adoption of solar throughout Maryland.
States who increase their solar carve out are helping to spread solar adoption to the masses. The Chesapeake Climate Action Network, who first called on the Maryland state government to enact these increases, stated that such a change would provide an investment in health, climate, jobs and equality.

Community Solar

Not everyone can install a solar system on their roof. Citizens with unsuitable roofs or rental properties can still take advantage of solar savings with a community solar program.
Community solar is popping up all over the country, wherein individuals can subscribe to energy generated by a large communal solar panel farm. The power generated by the panels you are renting is then applied to your electric bill. Community solar allows for the use of renewable energy, even for those who cannot afford installation costs.
Some states, like Maryland, have proposed pilot programs to bring community solar initiatives to its residents, with the goal of bringing the benefit of solar power to low and moderate income users. The Chesapeake Climate Action Network has also been working hard to increase community solar programs throughout Maryland, dubbing it “Solar for Everyone.”

More Incentives Nationwide

Government incentives help to make solar energy more attractive to homeowners. Unfortunately, incentives tend to vary state by state. Thus, even though many states have ideal conditions for solar power, because the state government has not embraced this technology, we see less rollout.
Take Michigan for example. Detroit sees average period of sunlight in excess of four hours per day. That, coupled with the state’s lower temperatures make for an ideal solar environment. But with virtually no government aid, Michigan homeowners see far less solar penetration than states such as New York and California.
Some common and helpful incentives that make solar more affordable for homeowners include property tax and sales tax exemption.
When solar is installed in a home, property values rise. Normally, this kind of upswing would be accompanied by a bill from your local tax assessor. But many states have decided to overlook this and free residents from an increased financial burden.
Sales tax exemptions are also helpful. For a state with a sales tax rate of 7.5%, a $20,000 PV solar system would come with an additional $1,500 tacked on. That’s a large amount of money, and its elimination could make or break a homeowner’s decision to install solar.
One way in which we can catch up to European nations would be to govern solar incentives on the federal level, rather than state, to ensure that all US residents are able to afford renewable energy. In Germany, for example, solar is overseen by a uniform national system, making adoption easier across the entire country.

EmPOWER Maryland energy efficiency bill becomes law

Legislation expected to create nearly 70,000 jobs, grow economy and save businesses billions of dollars.

The EmPOWER Maryland energy efficiency legislation championed by businesses and environmental organizations has officially become law.
EmPOWER Maryland helps homeowners and businesses reduce energy waste by offering them technical assistance and incentives to take steps such as installing new appliances, sealing air leaks, and optimizing manufacturing production lines.
Gov. Hogan declined to sign the bill, but he didn’t veto it either, and it passed by a veto-proof margin. As a result, it officially became law at midnight this morning.
See reactions from other business and environmental organizations below
So far, the energy efficiency program has saved utility customers $1.8 billion on their electric bills. According to recent, independent research by the American Council for an Energy Efficiency Economy, the extension is expected to:

  • Create more than 68,000 over the next decade, with most of the jobs in construction and services.
  • Save ratepayers $11.7 billion because of reduced energy consumption.
  • Add $3.75 billion to Maryland’s gross domestic product.

“The new services EmPOWER Maryland provides will create jobs, save ratepayers money and strengthen our economy,” said Brian Toll, Policy Chair with Efficiency First Maryland. “Everyone who pays an electricity bill will benefit.”
Supporters of the bill include major trade associations, businesses, and environmental groups including Union Hospital, Schneider Electric, MGM Resorts, the National Electrical Manufacturers Association, the Maryland Alliance for Energy Contractors, the Natural Resources Defense Council, Earthjustice, and the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, among others.
Quotes
James McGarry, Maryland & DC Policy Director, Chesapeake Climate Action Network: “The cheapest and cleanest form of energy is the kind that is never used, thanks to energy efficiency and conservation. This bill will create good-paying jobs in energy efficiency, and help us transition to a clean energy future where our environment is protected for future generations.”
Michael Giangrande, Chairman, Maryland Alliance for Energy Contractors: “As someone who works in energy efficiency, I see firsthand how EmPOWER Maryland is creating jobs and improving people’s lives by saving them money, making their homes more comfortable and keeping electricity costs down.”
Deron Lovaas, Senior Policy Advisor, for the Natural Resources Defense Council’s Urban Solutions program: “This is an amazing accomplishment for one of our nation’s most forward-thinking states. EmPOWER Maryland is an example of how common-sense policies like energy efficiency can win support no matter whether you’re a liberal or conservative, Republican or Democrat.”
Jessica Ennis, Senior Legislative Representative, Earthjustice: “Clean energy solutions like EmPOWER Maryland are critical to ensuring that we have clean air to breathe and clean water to drink.”

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CONTACT: Denise Robbins; denise@chesapeakeclimate.org; 240-396-2022

The Road to Clean Energy Victories in Maryland

underwater press conference
My second week at CCAN I stood knee deep in the Baltimore Harbor in a dress and waders cleaning up debris that the tide had washed in. I knew at that moment that I had joined an organization that would do anything to bring clean energy to Maryland. That morning, Mike Tidwell, CCAN’s director, stood waist-deep in the Inner Harbor along with members of the Sierra Club, Working Families, the MD State Chapter of the NAACP, faith and student leaders to show why clean energy was desperately needed in Maryland.
As a broad, diverse coalition spoke behind a podium immersed in water — we began our journey to fight for a 40% clean energy standard in Maryland. The initiative was bold, innovative — yet not impossible. It would take all of us across Maryland working together for years to raise Maryland’s clean energy standard.
We are proud to announce that we have had a momentous year for climate change legislation in Maryland. Governor Hogan signed into law the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act that will slash emissions by 40% by the year 2030. On Monday, April 11th, on the final day of the 2016 session, the Clean Energy Jobs Act passed the Maryland General Assembly. The Clean Energy Jobs Act raises Maryland’s clean electricity standard to 25% by 2020 and opens up new avenues of funding for minority, small and women-owned businesses in the renewable energy industry. The Clean Energy Jobs Act will ensure that Maryland keeps dirty fossil fuels in the ground while diversifying and expanding Maryland’s wind and solar industry.
For those of you that have worked alongside us for the past few years — you know that these victories did not come easily. It took all of us working together and exploring bold new ways to secure a clean energy future for Maryland.
On the opening day of session in 2015, over 200 activists stood out in the bitter, January cold, holding windMD-Campaign-RPS-Feature turbines and placards demanding a clean energy future for Maryland. Lawyer’s Mall was crowded with legislative champions Senators Feldman and Madaleno along with labor, civil rights, health and faith voices. Trisha Sheehan, of Mom’s Clean Air Force stated, “Children are among the most vulnerable to climate change, especially from extreme heat events, widespread disease and increased air pollution. Maryland has the ability to double its use of clean energy by 2025. We need to act now to cut our reliance on the dirty fossil fuels that are polluting our air and making us sick.”
We worked hard throughout the session to show legislators that reaching a 40% clean energy standard was an achievable goal. A goal that was not only supported by environmentalists — yet was a vital component of our state’s pursuit towards achieving a higher standard of public health, economic well-being and to turn the tide on the injustices that the fossil fuel industry had wrought on low-income and minority communities.
Over a hundred activists gathered once again in Annapolis to meet with their legislators and rally through the 16449235219_a09bfcc716_znight in February of 2015. Despite the tremendous show of support we ultimately did not pass clean energy legislation in the 2015 session. Legislators balked at the idea of a 40% goal and instead we began to work on a 25% by 2020 standard. We knew that if we hit this critical benchmark that it would put us on the trajectory to achieve a 40% clean energy standard by the year 2025, and we could truly double wind and solar in Maryland. The bill failed in the Senate Finance Committee — yet the result of all of our efforts was that we built an unshakeable foundation and garnered the support of powerful Senate leaders and built a groundswell of grassroots activists.
After the 2015 session, we did not rest. Instead we continued to work so that we would flood Annapolis with voices from across Maryland. In September, Pope Francis arrived in D.C. with a message for people of faith and conscious, “Never have we so hurt and mistreated our common home as we have in the last 200 years….Yet all is not lost. Human beings, while capable of the worst, are also capable of rising above themselves, choosing again what is good, and making a new start.”
davis climate in the pulpitsFaith communities across Maryland answered the Pope’s call to care for creation. Together with Interfaith Power and Light, the Chesapeake Climate Action Network hosted “Climate in the Pulpits” — a statewide effort of faith communities to raise up creation care and climate change in their worship services. On the weekend of September 23rd, over 87 congregations celebrated Climate in the Pulpits by inviting climate activists to give sermons, dedicating their worship message to climate change and signing postcards to their legislators urging them to pass the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act and the Clean Energy Jobs Act. Maryland State Delegate Dereck Davis (D-25 Prince George’s) participated by speaking on clean energy during the Sunday service at Forestville New Redeemer Baptist Church in District Heights. “Pope Francis has reminded us that addressing climate change is one of the great moral issues of our time,” said Del. Davis. “It is imperative that Maryland acts on climate so that we can create real, broad, and sustainable prosperity.”
Communities across Maryland also spoke out for the Maryland Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Act (GGRA) — Maryland’s legal mandate to curb greenhouse gas emissions which was set to expire in 2016. The Maryland Climate Commission held meetings across the state from the Eastern Shore to Frostburg, MD. Activists told the Maryland Climate Commission members that not only did they want the to renew the GGRA, they also wanted to strengthen the benchmarks and goals, in order to address the growing threat of climate change.
Next, CCAN and the Maryland Climate Coalition hit the road and embarked on our Energy, Health, and Climate Expo tour throughout Maryland to build a strong alliance of clean energy advocates across the state. Events were held in Baltimore City/County, Charles County, Harford, and Howard Counties. Each event featured our clean energy champions from across the state including — Senator Middleton, Delegate Davis, Delegate Brooks, Delegate Robinson, Maryland Congresswoman Donna Edwards, and spokespeople from Maryland Congressman Chris Van Hollen’s office. Green organizations came together to teach community members about sustainability and how we can work together to combat the growing threat of climate change. This effort culminated in growing our grassroots movement and increased the amount of minorities and low-income community members engaging in our campaigns and advocating for clean energy policies in Maryland.
At the start of the 2016 session, we gained a powerful ally in Maryland State Senator Catherine Pugh, who introduced the Del. Dereck Davis addresses the congregation at Forestville Baptist Church as part of Climate in the Pulpits.Clean Energy Jobs Act — a bill with a landmark $40 million investment in workforce development and grants for small, minority, and women-owned businesses in the renewable energy industry. On the first day of session, Senator Pugh, lead sponsor of the Clean Energy Jobs Act, gathered with key committee leaders at a press conference in support of the Clean Energy Jobs Act and stated, “We’ll grow Maryland’s clean energy economy in a way that increases the diversity of workers and business owners. As we create more than 1,000 new solar jobs per year, we’ll also give more Marylanders pathways to good-paying careers.”
Throughout the 2016 legislative session our activists never let up. After record-setting blizzard Jonas, our activists dug themselves out and attended lobby days urging their legislators to vote YES on both the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act and the Clean Energy Jobs Act. Over the course of the last four months we held over a hundred legislative meetings with many grassroots advocates lobbying for the first time. Tracey Waite, founder of Harford County Climate Action and first time grassroots lobbyist said to one staffer, “When I think about climate change and our future, I feel as if I am in a boat and it has all these holes in it. If someone doesn’t plug the holes then this boat is going to sink. You have the power with both of these bills to stop the ship from sinking, Will you support these bills?”
Governor Hogan signs the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act into lawOn March 17, the Maryland General Assembly approved the landmark Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Act of 2016. The bill, SB 323/HB 610, renews the 2009 Maryland law that set a goal to reduce climate-polluting greenhouse gas emissions statewide by 25 percent by 2020. The 2016 bill further extends the goal to a 40 percent reduction by 2030, requiring deep, long-term cuts in pollution. It received final approval by the House of Delegates after the Senate approved the bill in a 38-8 bipartisan vote in late February.
The Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act commits Maryland to one of the highest climate goals in the country, following California and New York.
Following this victory, Mike Tidwell proclaimed, “This bold, and strikingly bipartisan, commitment to stronger climate action will help protect Maryland’s economy, health, and increasingly flooded shoreline. Our climate-vulnerable state is now leading the way, showing that reducing carbon pollution is not a partisan question, but an urgent necessity.”
And in the final hours of the 2016 Maryland General Assembly, the Clean Energy Jobs Act was sent to Governor Hogan’s desk. The Clean Energy Jobs Act passed with an overwhelming bi-partisan majority of members of the House of Delegates with a vote of 92-43 and in the Senate with a vote of 31-14. Lead Senate Sponsor, Catherine Pugh stated, “This vote is a major step toward growing Maryland’s clean energy economy. This bill will create good-paying jobs and healthier air for communities in Baltimore and across Maryland that urgently need both.”
The journey that started with an underwater press conference in Baltimore City has now spread across the state of Maryland. Thanks to all of you that have made this possible and let’s continue to win more victories for Maryland, for our climate, and for our future.