Maryland's Manufacturing Moguls and Me

As many of you know, Maryland’s 2008 Global Warming Solutions Act died a slow and painful death mainly because of opposition from the industrial community – the usual suspects in the lineup of enviros vs “them”. That’s how I saw these folks – the other who obviously didn’t care about my future, and wanted to make as much money as possible while destroying any chance we’d have of combating climate change.

However, because the clashes of 2008 Session of the General Assembly were so acrimonious, a series of stakeholder meetings and discussions were set up by Maryland’s Department of the Environment to try and work out a compromise. Even though MD’s climate action plan calls for no explicit changes to be made in the industrial sector with a net benefit to the state’s coffers (check out pg 36 for a cool graph), I wasn’t too hopeful that the industry folks would be willing to compromise on anything that cut into profit margins, especially with the spiraling news of economic downturn.

As a matter of fact, these meetings have been eye-opening for me. We’re breaking down the us-vs-them mentality on both sides of the table. Yesterday afternoon, an industry representative turned to me and said “Maryland being a leader on global warming isn’t just about having the most aggressive reduction targets – we can lead by breaking the impasse between environmentalists and manufacturers that’s been around for decades.”

From the first meeting, everyone in the room agreed on three goals: 1) Significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, 2)Protect existing jobs, and 3) Grow Maryland’s economy.

So I don’t want to jinx everything by preemptively trumpeting our victory, but I do want to share that there is some compromise on policy that would accomplish the above goals. Stay tuned – I’ll let everyone know what the details of the 2009 bill are as soon as they’re finalized! But what I’m really excited about, as cheesy as it sounds, are the relationships that we’re building. Who knows?

CCAN is looking for INTERNS!

sarah
Sarah, CCAN intern, having fun with CCAN.

Clean Energy Internships

Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN) is accepting applications for Clean Energy spring internships.

The Chesapeake Climate Action Network is the first grassroots, nonprofit organization dedicated exclusively to fighting global warming in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Our mission is to educate and mobilize citizens of this region in a way that fosters a rapid societal switch to clean energy and energy-efficient products, thus joining similar efforts worldwide to slow and perhaps halt the dangerous trend of global warming.

We are in need of 3-4 qualified and dedicated individuals to work with us in several different capacities. We are looking for interns to support the following areas:

* Communications/media support for our clean energy and global warming campaigns/trainings.
* Campus Climate Challenge campaign and other campus activities
* Federal and state policy campaigns in Virginia and Maryland, with focus on grassroots activism
* Web Development/Online campaigns

In your cover letter, please indicate whether you would be most interested in working on the national, campus or state campaigns.

The position requires a commitment of at least 15 hours/week during Spring ’08 (January – May). Location of the internship is flexible. Dependent focus – campus or state – interns may have the option of working at the Takoma Park or Richmond offices, or from home.

Applicants should have excellent written and verbal communication skills, the ability to work independently, experience with organizing on campuses, and a strong commitment to clean energy and the fight against global warming. Positions available beginning in September.

Contact information

Please e-mail cover letter, resume and one optional short writing sample (500 words or less) to:

Holly Gorman
holly@chesapeakeclimate.org
P.O. Box 11138
Takoma Park, MD 20912

Got $6 billion? Another new coal plant proposed for VA

On Tuesday, good ol’ king coal proposed another new coal plant for Virginia, but this time it’s going to be over 3 times as expensive and in Richmond’s back yard. Old Dominion Electric Cooperative says it will cost $6 billion to build the plant, which is necessary “to meet energy demand that the cooperative projects will double in the next two decades.”

Of course this is outrageous. Despite the climate crisis, and the fact that 72% of Virginians believe that immediate action is needed to address global warming, the coal barons of Virginia are still trying to sneak through midnight coal plants.

It’s ironic that this announcement has come on the heals of Governor Kaine’s Climate Commission report. The report calls on the state to reduce its total carbon emissions 80% by 2050. Despite this goal, based on the findings of climate scientists around the world, the Wise and Surry County plants would result in millions of tons of additional greenhouse gas pollution undermining efforts to actually reduce emissions.

Says Glen Besa in a press release by CCAN and our allies in our fight against the Wise County plant: “Utilities in Virginia seem to be in denial about global warming.”

The Surry site is about 60 miles from Richmond and 40 from Virginia beach. Local pollution of methane, sulfur and NOX can be expected to increase, as will mountain top removal mining in Appalachia.

The ACEEE report recently released in VA shows clearly how Virginia can eliminate the need for any new coal plants through efficiency alone. By enacting strong policies that set strong targets, reduce peak demand and incentivize efficiency, Virginia can hold energy use steady and start investing in clean energy like wind and solar. It’s time that our leaders start investing in what Virginia really needs, not another new coal plant.

Va. Commission Issues Final Report on Climate Change

After a year of public forums, expert testimony, and committee meetings, the Virginia Commission on Climate Change finalized its “Climate Change Action Plan” today. Virginia’s environmental community is encouraged that the Commission went beyond the initial goals it was charged with, calling for the state to cut global warming pollution by 25% over the next 12 years and more than 80% by 2050. However, the Commission missed the mark on a few policies that are key to hitting those reductions. Continue reading

Calling all Hybrid Car Drivers!

Let’s have a parade Dec. 5th to tell Detroit: No bailout without clean cars!

hybrid car rallyU.S. lawmakers are considering bailing out the Big 3 automakers, the same automakers who have aggressively lobbied against higher gas mileage standards for years and who (surprise!) are on the verge of economic collapse.

On Friday, Dec. 5th, the Chesapeake Climate Action Network will host the largest, funnest parade ever of hybrid car drivers in America. If you own a Prius or other hybrid, join us for a lunchtime caravan around the U.S. Capitol building. We’ll decorate our cars with our message to Congress: No Detroit bailout without a serious commitment to the fuel efficient cars of the future!

Will you join us? Will you tell a friend? We just need one hour of your time — and your beautiful car — at lunchtime. Sign up now>>

The Big Three have spent years lobbying heavily against increases in fuel efficiency. They are even suing California, Maryland and many other states that have passed clean cars legislation requiring more efficient, less polluting vehicles.

In an era of rapid global warming, one in which $4-a-gallon gas is a not-too-distant memory, it’s time for Detroit to get serious about fuel efficiency, not just for the sake of the climate but also because investing in fuel efficiency is the only way to save the Big 3.

Americans are demanding clean cars. Join us on December 5th to show Detroit that the technology to make fuel efficient cars exists – we’re driving it!
Continue reading

I Spy Something Green

Police spy on climate activist while global warming goes unarrested
By Mike Tidwell, published on Grist
Mike Tidwell.

Photo: chesapeakeclimate
Terrorist Activist Mike Tidwell (at podium) exhibiting clearly threatening behavior.
Photo: chesapeakeclimate

I’m not sure what’s more shocking: the news that the Maryland State Police wrongfully spied on me for months as a “suspected terrorist,” or that, despite surveillance of me, officers apparently wouldn’t recognize me if I walked into their police headquarters tomorrow.

I’m a former Peace Corps volunteer, an Eagle Scout, church member, youth baseball coach, and dedicated father. I also happen to be director of one of the largest environmental groups in Maryland, a nonprofit that promotes windmills and solar panels in the fight against global warming. So imagine my shock to get a police letter last month saying I was one of 53 Maryland activists on a terrorist watch list that has been discontinued because — can you believe it? — there’s “no evidence whatsoever of any involvement in violent crime.”

Matters turned especially Soviet-esque on Oct. 14 when I called the police requesting a full copy of my surveillance file. A spokeswoman told me I could visually inspect the file, but I couldn’t make photocopies, I couldn’t bring an attorney, and the police would be destroying the entire file after I read it.

And bring a valid photo ID, she said, to make sure you’re who you say you are.

A what? Really? You spied on me, for God’s sake. Continue reading