Exciting news! This morning at 9:30, Maryland Senator Ben Cardin helped pass the Kerry-Boxer clean energy bill out of his committee (Environment and Public Works). He fought to keep key strengthening provisions intact despite the opposition from the Big Oil and Coal Lobby and his Republican colleagues who boycotted the committee hearings. This is an important step towards demonstrating US climate leadership before the international climate talks in Copenhagen in December. (Get news flashes like this as they happen by following CCAN on Twitter)

Thanks to your emails and letters, Sen. Cardin showed leadership in the face of strident opposition and deserves our praise. Now it’s time to start talking to Senator Barbara Mikulski. Once the bill gets to the Senate floor we will need the combined powers of Senator Cardin and Senator Mikulski to fight for a bold clean energy bill.

Let’s face it, internal Senate proceedings don’t always make headlines. It’s up to us to tell the story and educate our fellow citizens. Can you take a few minutes to submit a letter to the editor to your local paper?

Please, take a moment to respond. Here are some talking points:

1. Thank You Sen. Cardin for Your Leadership: This week Sen. Cardin helped pass the Boxer-Kerry “Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act” out of his key Environment and Public Works Committee. His committee’s approval was an important step on the path towards a new clean energy economy that will create millions of jobs nationwide. Recent studies have shown that such a bill would create 35,000 jobs in Maryland alone.

2. Sen. Cardin Defended Key Provisions: Sen. Cardin fought to ensure that the Boxer-Kerry clean energy bill restores the Environmental Protection Agency’s authority under the Clean Air Act to regulate global warming pollution from coal plants. (This critical authority was threatened in the House version of the bill). Sen. Cardin also deserves our praise for inserted key provisions to protect Maryland consumers from rising energy costs.

3. Big Opposition on the Senate Floor: Clean energy bills have always faced opposition from the Big Oil and Coal, who managed to significantly weaken the House version of the bill. Unfortunately, many Republicans are also trying to block clean energy legislation — they even boycotted the most recent hearings.

4. Need More Bold Leadership from Our Senators: As the bill moves through the Senate, I am looking forward to Senator Mikulski to join forces with Senator Cardin to defend the Clean Air Act, protect consumers, and prioritize renewable energy and energy efficiency before expensive and unsafe energy sources such as nuclear energy and “clean coal.” I look forward to the Senators’ bold leadership as they work to create 35,000 new jobs for Maryland.

Please, let me know when you submit a letter and again when you get it published: ethan[at]chesapeakeclimate.org

Go forth and spread the Truth!

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LTE contact info for your paper:

The Cecil Whig: whigletters@chespub.com
Prince Georges Co. Gazette: princegeorges@gazette.net
Baltimore Sun: talkback@baltimoresun.com
Washington Post: letters@washpost.com
Annapolis Capital: capletts@capitalgazette.com
Washington Times: letters@washingtontimes.com
Carroll Co. Gazette: carroll@gazette.net
Frederick Co. Gazette: Frederick@gazette.net
Montgomery Co. Gazette: letters@gazette.net
The Star Democrat: eastonedit@chespub.com
The County Times of Southern Maryland: tobiepulliam@countytimes.net
Baltimore Messenger, Jeffersonian, Northeast Booster, Northeast Reporter, Owings Mills Times, Towson Times or North County News: kweiss@patuxent.com
The Avenue (Baltimore): aveeditorial@chespub.com
The Northeast Booster (Baltimore): dsturm@patuxent.com
Maryland Independent: abreck@somdnews.com
The Enterprise: rboyd@somdnews.com
The Recorder: clovejoy@somdnews.com
The Calvert Independent: editorial@calvertindependent.com
City Paper (DC): mail@washingtoncitypaper.com