Category: Blog

Virginia Power Shift

The youth of Virginia are ready to turn up. They are ready to bring it squarely to the jaw of the fossil fuel polluters. I know this because 350 students showed up in Fredericksburg, Virginia in February for Virginia Power Shift 2015. They chose to spend their Valentine’s Day weekend rallying for Global Divestment Day & building a loving movement, and that is why I know we will win.

Virginia Power Shift Keynote by Reverend Lennox Yearwood

Looking back just 10 short months ago, when Virginia Power Shift 2014 drew in about 150 attendees. Or a little farther back to Virginia Power Shift 2011, which played host to fairly similar numbers as 2014. While correlation may not be causation, I’m going to declare that the Virginia youth climate movement is growing. It is growing fast. And if I made my money by intentionally dumping greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere, I would be shifting uncomfortably in my seat right now.
Virginia Power Shift was kicked off by an action in tune with Global Divestment Day meant to elevate the noise of the Divest UMW’s (University of Mary Washington) divestment campaign one week before they met with their Board of Visitors. Over 200 students marched across the campus cheering “Hey BOV, Listen to me, We want to be – fossil free!” and “Show me what democracy looks like,” before lining up to take a few aerial shots.
Later that evening, students were invited to participate in an open mic event facilitated by Good Clear Sound, an award winning slam poetry group from Virginia Commonwealth University. I never knew it was possible to feel that intimately connected with a room full of hundreds of strangers. Originally slated to end at 10 pm, the event ran until 11 pm as the flood of students eager to share their stories never relented to dry up. They shared really personal and inspired stories touching on issues such as gender identity, racial discrimination, sexual orientation and how their lives have been shaped. Music was performed, poetry was read, and laughs were had. It undeniably helped shape the weekend from a convergence into a genuinely inclusive community.
Saturday kicked off with a convergence wide training on systems of power and anti-oppression. No small task when you’ve got a room filled with more than 300 students!

Virginia Power Shift Anti-Oppression Training led by Maryland Campaign Coordinator Shilpa Joshi

(Thanks to our awesome facilitators who willingly chose to develop and facilitate an anti-oppression training for 300 people!)
The rest of the day was a blur of workshops, trainings, and panels on topics from fighting fracking to Black Lives Matter organizing, from food justice to direct action training to queer organizing in the south. The halls were buzzing with new ideas, friendships, and energy.
Saturday evening capped off with two standing-ovation drawing keynotes from Elise Keaton and Reverend Lennox Yearwood. Elise Keaton lives in West Virginia and has spent her life fighting mountain top removal mining and new fracked gas pipeline expansions. Reverend Yearwood is the founder of the Hip Hop Caucus to engage hip hop’s political and social voice. I won’t capture a fraction of their eloquence, and I don’t intend to not do justice to their words by trying to reiterate their keynote addresses. I can tell you both of them left the crowd on their feet screaming for more. At the end of their talks students were hugging, jumping, and cheering. The room was electric, the energy was tangible, and the students were ready to forge the future right then and there.
Sunday, we dug in. We took the energy and the knowledge gained over the weekend and funneled it into a strategic plan for the year. The Virginia Student Environmental Coalition is ready to jump into the next level of its organizing capacity, and after what happened in Fredericksburg I don’t think anyone would doubt the likelihood of that happening. Dominion, we’re coming for you.

Speaking Truth to Power (again)

For the third time in less than two years, I met yesterday with the Chair of FERC, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. I was not alone. With me from the “good guys” side were Tracey Eno, leader of Calvert Citizens for a Healthy Community in Cove Point, MD, Jocelyn D’Ambrosio of Earthjustice and, via phone because her plane arrived late, Sandra Steingraber from We Are Seneca Lake.
On the “power” side were FERC Chair Cheryl LaFleur and literally eight other FERC staff from various parts of their bureaucracy.
My first time meeting with the then-FERC Chair Jon Wellinghoff was in May of 2013. The second time was last June with Cheryl LaFleur. In both cases, as was true of this one also, the meetings happened after I and others had gone to one of FERC’s monthly Commissioners’ meetings and made our presence felt.
A month ago, after going to FERC with representatives of Green America for a meeting they had set up with Commissioner Phillip Moeller, I was “banned,” the security guard’s word, from the FERC building, escorted out of the meeting room on the 11th floor we had been taken to just as the meeting was about to start. However, several hours later, after contacting someone I knew in the press, I got a call from the Executive Director of FERC apologizing and telling me I was not banned.
The meeting yesterday was requested just before my temporary banishment. It was requested on behalf of Beyond Extreme Energy, which has been ratcheting up the pressure and putting a public spotlight on the many serious problems with the way FERC works. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has called it “a rogue agency.”
What was our hope in requesting the meeting? Our hope, slim as we knew it to be, was that perhaps in the context of a “civilized” sit-down in this way, we could see some signs that the campaign that has been building over the last couple of years to make FERC work for the people and not the fossil fuel industry has had some impact.
There was little sign of that yesterday. After we raised (for me, for the third time) our well-reasoned criticisms of FERC, their rubber-stamping of proposed gas infrastructure expansion projects, their minimal efforts to prioritize wind and solar technologies, they didn’t have much to say. After we pushed it, LaFleur did reference some rule changes they had made to make it easier for those technologies to become part of the electrical grid, and another person did want to know more of our thinking about what they should be doing in the area of renewables. But as Sandra said afterwards, LaFleur’s main response was to say, in effect, “we’re trying to take it in, we are listening,” little more.
The one exception to this was in the area of FERC’s processes: their website, the meetings they set up, how they deal with administrative appeals after granting a permit for gas infrastructure expansion. There was a bit more, not much, back and forth with FERC staff in these areas. Perhaps, over time, we will see some modifications; time will tell.
The meeting made crystal clear that we need to seize the time and ratchet up the pressure. Fortunately, Beyond Extreme Energy is doing so, moving forward with its week-plus of action at FERC from May 21-29. That’s when our growing movement can show OUR power, speak the truth in powerful ways to those using theirs wrongly. Our children and grandchildren are calling upon us to step it up right now!

Marylanders come to Annapolis to say NO to fracking!

On Tuesday, March 3rd, dozens of anti-fracking activists gathered in Annapolis from across the state to say NO to fracking in Maryland.
Folks traveled from as far away as Garrett County to have their voices heard in support of the Protect Our Health and Communities Act (SB 409/HB 449), which would put a long-term moratorium on fracking.

The day began with an energetic rally, despite the frigid temperatures. Our legislative champions kicked off the rally with some inspirational words. We are excited to work with the bill’s sponsors, Senator Karen Montgomery and Delegate David Fraser-Hidalgo, to get this important legislation passed! Delegate Hidalgo has serious concerns about fracking and public health, “It would be irresponsible as legislators, as parents, to move forward on fracking.”
We then heard from health experts Dr. Gina Angiola and Dr. Annie Bristow on the dangers to our communities from the fracking chemicals that could travel into our land, air, and water.
JT Stanley, a student at University of Maryland, College Park, and Wenonah Hauter, Executive Director of Food and Water Watch, fired up the crowd with stories of the anti-fracking movement across the country, and how students are building power on campus to fight climate change and fossil fuels.
The rally ended with a powerful message from the citizens of Western Maryland. Tiffany Blackden, owner of The Alley Bowling Lanes and Nadine Grabania of Deep Creek Cellars reflected on how their businesses would be impacted if fracking came to their region. Tiffany and her family would have to relocate due to their son’s chemical sensitivity, and fracking would put the water source of Nadine’s winery at risk of contamination, potentially destroying the business.

The rally was just the first act in the anti-fracking day of action. In the afternoon, the Protect Our Health and Communities Act was up for its first Senate hearing in the 2015 General Assembly.
With our cheers of “Don’t Frack Maryland” ringing in the ears of the 12 senators on the Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs committee, we reconvened at for the Senate hearing nearly six hours later to testify on why we need a long-term moratorium on fracking.
Over 20 citizens testified in favor of the bill, including experts on health from the Maryland Nurses Association, as well as environmental advocates from Clean Water Action and the Sierra Club. Marylanders already living with the effects of natural gas infrastructure testified on its harmful impacts on their community, including Ann Nau a citizen of Myersville, MD, where a new compressor station, is causing noise, climate, and air pollution.

Citizens from Garrett and Allegany Counties.

To close out the day, more folks from Western Maryland warned the committee about the disastrous effects fracking could have on the local economy and business in Garrett and Allegany Counties, which so heavily rely on tourism and environmental recreation.
All across Maryland people are coming together to say NO to fracking. Health leaders, business owners, students, and so many more agree: Don’t frack Maryland, pass the The Protect Our Health and Communities Act (SB 409/HB 449. Add your voice by sending a message to our legislators: Put a long-term moratorium on fracking!
To see more pictures, visit our Flickr page: https://www.flickr.com/photos/chesapeakeclimate/sets
Want to get more involved in the campaign to keep fracking out of Maryland? Email Shilpa Joshi Maryland Campaign Coordinator at Shilpa@chesapeakeclimate.org.

Victory Alert: Solar Net Metering Bill Passes the Virginia Legislature!

On February 23rd, the Virginia legislature passed HB1950 and SB1395, raising the non-residential net metering project cap from 500 kw to 1MW- a concrete step to grow Virginia’s clean energy economy!
Here are the details of the bill:

Doubles Virginia’s Cap to 1MW. The bill raised the non-residential project cap for solar net metering customers from 500 kilowatts to 1 megawatts.

Thanks to the bills sponsors, Senator Rosalyn Dance and Delegate Jennifer McClellan for leading the way and carrying this critical legislation, and thank you to CCAN’s volunteers across the state who called in and emailed the legislature to help make this bill a reality.
Virginia is now comparable in terms of its non-residential solar cap with neighboring North Carolina (also 1MW cap). This legislation means that businesses across the state can now increase their solar usage!
Another victory came from HB 2267, introduced by Del. Tim Hugo, that will establish a Solar Development Authority for Virginia. The authority will smooth the way for the solar industry to expand in Virginia. Most importantly, the authority is tasked to bring online at least 400 megawatts of solar by 2020 — enough to power at least 100,000 homes!
We have more work to do to continue to expand the use of solar in Virginia! Reach out to Lauren, Virginia’s solar campaign coordinator at lauren@chesapeakeclimate.org, to help in the effort to amplify this good work and to join CCAN’s 2015 solar campaign.
Take Action: Click here to thank state senators and delegates who led the way on solar energy legislation in 2015.
Learn more: Fact Sheet – Non-residential Net Metering Project Cap HB1950/SB1395 (PDF)

Activists Block Dominion’s Richmond Headquarters

On Monday, Dominion employees got some unexpected exercise on their way to work. Protesters opposing Dominion’s proposed Atlantic Coast Pipeline blockaded the access road into Dominion’s Tredegar Campus in downtown Richmond, Virginia. A menagerie of singing protesters, stilt walkers, giant puppets, and banners stood in the path of Dominion employees as they walked, rather than drove the final half mile to their workplace. But just before reaching their campus, a final surprise loomed above: two activists suspended themselves from a pedestrian bridge with a banner reading “Stop Selling Our Futures.”
Activists chose to escalate their protest to non-violent direct action on Monday as Dominion steadfastly continues their plans to construct the 550-mile Atlantic Coast Pipeline. With its proposed 42” diameter, the pipeline would have the daily capacity to transport 1.5 billion cubic feet of “fracked” natural gas from West Virginia through Virginia and into North Carolina. This has climate activists up in arms for its potential to increase the rate at which greenhouse gases are released into our atmosphere. Landowners, too, are upset at the prospect of a massive pipeline running through their backyards. Many have refused to let survey crews access their property, which has led Dominion to respond by filing lawsuits against these families.

The initial blockade began at 7am with 40 activists that quickly occupied an intersection leading into Dominion’s campus. An hour later at 8am, another crowd of 40 arrived from the Richmond’s People Climate March. Activists stood their ground for just over three hours before the police began issuing dispersal orders. Ten protesters bravely defied police orders and sat down in the road. 9 of the 10 received summonses for obstructing traffic.
The grassroots battle opposing the Atlantic Coast Pipeline continues to grow in Virginia and Monday’s action underscores the commitment amongst local activists. In the last few months, there’s been a groundswell of escalated action against the rapid expansion of fossil fuel infrastructure across the region, including at Dominion’s Cove Point facility in Lusby, MD.
HOW CAN YOU TAKE ACTION?

We’re demanding Governor McAuliffe withdraw his support of the Atlantic Coast pipeline. We’ve set up a petition to make this happen and 2,500 Virginians that have already voiced their opposition to the pipeline. Please sign the petition to help us reach our goal of 5,000 by April 1st. We need all hands on deck to stop this extreme energy project! If you would like to collect petitions in your community, click here to get in touch and we will help to get you started!

Additional Press:
Activists Block Dominion Office. Richmond Style Weekly. 2/23/15.
Demonstrators create blockade downtown in protest of Atlantic Coast Pipeline. CBS 6. 2/23/15.
Ernie Reed. 1070 WINA Radio. 2/23/15.
Ten People Arrested While Protesting Pipeline That Would Run Through Virginia. Think Progress. 2/25/15.

Momentum Builds to Expand Maryland’s Clean Electricity Standard

Over the past week, an impressive array of business, faith, labor, civil rights, city council, and grassroots voices have spoken out passionately and persuasively on the need to raise Maryland’s clean electricity standard in the 2015 General Assembly.
The bill, the Clean Energy Advancement Act (HB 377/SB 373), was amended in recent House and Senate hearings to set a requirement of 25% clean electricity by 2020, a compromise from the bill’s original target of 40% clean power by 2025. The state’s Climate Action Plan calls for raising our Renewable Portfolio Standard to 25% by 2020 as the single biggest step Maryland can take to reduce emissions of climate-disrupting pollution.
As Delegate Frick, lead House sponsor of the legislation, emphasized ahead of his committee hearing last Friday, this bill is “smart economic policy, smart environmental policy, and smart politics.”
Here’s a round up of the growing momentum behind the Clean Energy Advancement Act, following hearings in the House Economic Matters and Senate Finance committees:

Business leaders say clean energy puts people to work: Last Friday, business leaders and workers in Maryland’s growing solar and clean technology industries held a press conference and testified before the House committee in support of the bill. Testimony emphasized that Maryland’s existing “Renewable Portfolio Standard” law is the main driver of clean energy job growth in Maryland now, and must be raised to expand on this prosperity. See the press release here.
Activists rally for clean energy despite bitter cold: On Monday, over 120 grassroots activists braved near-single digit temperatures to rally on Lawyers’ Mall in support of the bill, capping off a lobby night. You can see photos here. Chants of “clean energy now” echoed into the State House as legislators convened for their evening session.
230+ Maryland faith leaders—including 7 bishops and senior ecumenical leaders—call on the General Assembly to act: In an unprecedented show of religious leadership on a state environmental issue, seven Maryland bishops and senior ecumenical leaders joined over 230 faith leaders in delivering a letter to lawmakers on Tuesday, making a moral case for shifting the state to cleaner energy. Bishop Wolfgang Herz-Lane also personally testified at the Senate hearing. See the letter here.
NAACP report calls for expanding Maryland’s Renewable Portfolio Standard: In releasing the Maryland 2015 Just Energy Policies report, the NAACP called for expanding Maryland’s clean electricity standard, ideally to 40% by 2025. As the report underscores, poor communities and communities of color pay the highest price for our current reliance on fossil fuels.
Baltimore City Council and Mayor endorse the Clean Energy Advancement Act: Noting that, “Maryland has the worst air quality on the east coast, and Baltimore has the highest emissions related mortality rate in the state,” the Baltimore City Council unanimously passed a resolution Monday night calling on the General Assembly to pass, and the Governor to sign, the Clean Energy Advancement Act. Baltimore City Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake also wrote testimony in support of the legislation.
Capital Gazette op-ed: “Acting on climate empowers us to grow and protect our economy.” This Capital Gazette op-ed from Feb. 24 outlines how Maryland will incentivize significant new growth in good-paying, skilled, and diverse construction, installation, and manufacturing jobs by setting a region-leading clean energy standard.
Experts testify to modest ratepayer impact: As wind and solar prices continue to plummet, a study conducted by the independent firm Sustainable Energy Advantage predicts that the impact of increasing Maryland’s RPS to 25% by 2020 will likely be $0.52 per month per residential ratepayer (in 2014 dollars) in 2020. The impact of increasing the RPS to 40% would likely be $1.94/month for residential ratepayers in 2025. See the full study here (and find the 25% estimate on p. 10, figure 6).

In summary, the Clean Energy Advancement Act is gaining such broad support because it would bring so many far-reaching benefits to Maryland. Raising our Renewable Portfolio Standard is the top way that Maryland can reduce emissions of planet-heating pollution. It would make Maryland a regional leader in creating new jobs and economic investment in rapidly growing 21st-century industries. It would save lives and save billions in healthcare costs by cleaning up our air and water.
Click here for more information and resources on the legislation and its benefits.

A Twofer for the Climate on February 24

If you’re concerned about the climate emergency and were plugged in to news sources yesterday, you probably know that the climate movement won a big victory: President Obama vetoed the legislation passed by Congress to approve the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline.
But there was another, less publicized, important development yesterday: the introduction by Maryland Congressman Chris Van Hollen, with 16 co-sponsors, of the Healthy Climate and Family Security Act (H.R. 1027) in the House of Representatives.
The Healthy Climate bill uses a “cap and dividend” framework. It would legislate a steadily declining cap on carbon emissions, about 2% a year starting the year that it is passed, leading to an 80% reduction compared to 2005 levels by 2050. Coal, oil and gas companies that bring fossil fuels out of the ground or into the country would be required to buy permits at auction. The overall number of those permits would decrease as the cap declines, leading to rising permit prices. All of the money raised by this process, many hundreds of billions over the first decade, would be returned in equal amounts as “dividends” to every US resident with a social security number.
Given the absolute need for the federal government to enact a price on carbon and other greenhouse gas emissions, this less publicized development is, arguably, as important as President Obama’s veto.
The fact is that there are several things which the climate movement must be doing:
1) Stopping the expansion of extreme energy extraction: tar sands oil, fracking, Arctic oil and gas drilling, mountaintop coal removal, and deep ocean oil and gas drilling in particular.
2) Accelerating the rapidly growing shift from fossil fuels to wind and solar as energy sources for electrical power.
3) Advancing local, state and federal legislation that incentivizes energy efficiency and renewables.
4) Supporting strong federal regulation of greenhouse gases.
5) Working to enact federal legislation that puts a price on carbon and other planet-heating greenhouse gases.
Given the power, wealth and greed of the fossil fuel industry and its ability, so far, to control almost all Republican congresspeople and a significant percentage of Democrats, it is not surprising that number five is the least developed of all of these.
That has to — absolutely has to — change.
As 350.org co-founder Bill McKibben emphasized on yesterday’s tele-press conference on the bill’s reintroduction, it makes “no sense to allow one industry to throw its pollution into the atmosphere for free. If anyone owns the sky, it’s not Exxon. It’s all of us.”
The Healthy Climate and Family Security Act would “accelerate very quickly the biggest job on the planet: getting rid of carbon,” added McKibben. “There would be no plan for Keystone XL if there was anything like a rational price on carbon.”
With Congressman Chris Van Hollen leading the way and the support of groups like 350.org, CCAN, Center for Popular Democracy, Center for Biological Diversity, National People’s Action, Public Citizen and the Sierra Club, a strong, fair and commonsense federal solution to price carbon is finally moving forward. More information on this legislation can be found at http://climateandprosperity.org.
For more information on this new legislation:
Van Hollen moving climate change with 2016 leverage. CNN News. 2/23/15.
Focus legislative energy on a national carbon policy, not Keystone XL. Washington Post. 2/24/15.

Cap and Dividend climate Federal global warming

Oppose New Fracked Gas Pipelines in Virginia!

In Virginia, the grassroots battle continues to ramp up against Dominion Resources’ proposed Atlantic Coast pipeline. This proposed 550-mile fracked gas pipeline would originate in Harrison County, West Virginia, cut southwest across Virginia to Greensville County and then head south to eastern North Carolina. A spur would also go into Chesapeake, Virginia.
People across Virginia are coming together to oppose this dirty fracked gas plan. CCAN is partnering with new and highly energized local groups that have formed along the route of the pipeline, including the Augusta County Alliance, Friends of Nelson County and the Allegheny Blue-Ridge Alliance. The Richmond Times-Dispatch documented this growing “mountain of opposition” to the pipeline in January. Together we are building power throughout the state to challenge Dominion’s pipeline and eminent domain laws that are letting Dominion trample over the rights of local landowners.
Here are the latest updates:

In December, news broke that Dominion is suing over 40 landowners who have refused to let surveyors for the pipeline come onto their property.
Landowners are fighting back. On February 5th, a federal judge heard arguments in a suit brought by landowners to challenge the constitutionality of a state law that gives natural gas companies the right to survey land over the owners’ objections.
During the General Assembly session, landowners joined environmental advocates to rally against the pipeline at the State Capitol in Richmond. Unfortunately, legislators failed to advance a bill that would have revoked the 2004 law that Dominion is using to survey landowners’ property.
In January, students with the Virginia Student Environmental Coalition delivered over 170 handwritten letters to Governor McAuliffe’s offices in Richmond, calling on him to renounce his support for the pipeline.

Pipeline fighters have also launched local canvasses to inform residents along the route of the pipeline of the risks involved, and are pushing back against Dominion’s overblown claims about the project’s benefits. Friends of Nelson County released a press statement on February 11th to counter a report released by Dominion about the benefits of the pipeline. Friends of Nelson president Joanna Salidis explains why pipeline opponents are developing their own “pipeline impact” study, to be released in May 2015:

The economy of Nelson County is based on tourism, agriculture, recreation and the scenic beauty of the Rockfish Valley. These and so much more are threatened by the proposed pipeline. It makes me sick to my stomach to hear Dominion crow about economic benefits when the truth is their pipeline is nothing more than the large scale transfer of wealth from counties like ours on the route to their shareholders’ pockets. Our Pipeline Impact Study will give us numbers of our own.

The Atlantic Coast Pipeline isn’t the only new natural gas pipeline proposed in Virginia. The Mountain Valley Pipeline is another proposed fracked gas pipeline in the development phase. Residents along the route of the MVP are rallying in Blacksburg on Saturday, March 21st in opposition.

How can you take action?

CCAN is collecting petitions to urge Governor McAuliffe to withdraw his support of the Atlantic Coast pipeline. We need your help! We need Governor McAuliffe to know that Virginians don’t want dangerous new natural gas pipelines criss-crossing our forests and farmlands, and taking us backward in fighting global warming. Working with groups along the proposed route of the pipeline, we’ve collected over 2,500 petitions to the governor so far. Our goal is to collect 5,000 before we deliver them right to his office in April. Click here to sign up to collect petitions in your community, and I’ll follow up with you to give you the materials you need to take action.
CCAN and allied groups are meeting in Virginia in early March to plan the next phase of this campaign. Want to get involved? Email me at Lauren@chesapeakeclimate.org.

Video and thanks: Our 10th plunge was the biggest ever!

On Saturday, January 24th over 200 of us braved the elements to make the 10th annual “Keep Winter Cold” Polar Bear Plunge our biggest yet. Neither the rain nor an incredibly high tide could stop us from jumping, wading and even diving into the Potomac River! Plungers were as young as nine and as old as 85, including students, community activists and Franciscan priests.
Together, we raised over $85,000 to support CCAN’s work to move our region off of dirty fossil fuels and to clean energy! We’re truly fortunate to be working side-by-side with so many dedicated activists to fight climate change. Thanks to everyone who plunged with us or sponsored a plunger!
You can find great photos from the day here. Watch this video recap of our 10th annual plunge:

Having now taken part in all ten “Keep Winter Cold” plunges, I had some particularly special highlights from Saturday:

A high tide can’t stop us! We’ve never had a plunge at high tide at National Harbor, let alone following significant rainfall. The obstacles we overcame Saturday (like a submerged beach!) reminded me of why we plunge: the seas are rising, and so must we!
Rev. Yearwood has never fired me up more. With the words, “One day this generation will say we are fossil free at last!” echoing across the plaza, who wouldn’t be ready to jump into freezing water?
Our teams raised more money than ever before. SIXTEEN teams each raised over $1,000, with 350 Montgomery County and Franciscan Action Network leading the pack! Big thanks go to our team captains and everyone who pitched in.
Our prize winners really took it to a new level! April Moore, our top fundraiser, won the Green Commuter bike by raising a stunning $4,287. Our second top fundraiser, Lori Hill, won dinner with Mike Tidwell and Rev. Yearwood by recruiting 54 individual donors.

Together, we all made this year’s 10th annual plunge a big success. Once again, many thanks, and let’s keep building a strong climate movement in the Chesapeake region and across the nation.
A big thank you to all of our sponsors for donating generous prizes and keeping us caffeinated and fed:

Letter from the Director: A paradigm is shaking

Let’s be honest. It’s easy to get discouraged if you’re fighting global warming in America. I’ve been a full-time climate activist since 2001 and I can’t remember ever fighting so many defensive campaigns all at once. We’re fighting Keystone XL and coal exports. We’re fighting fracking everywhere and the Cove Point export plant in Maryland and the Atlantic Coast pipeline in Virginia. And now, as if that weren’t enough, we’re fighting a proposed anti-environmental merger between electric utilities Pepco and Exelon in Maryland and DC.
So it’s easy to get discouraged. Unless, of course, you realize that all of this defensive action might mean we’re actually gaining ground! I’m serious. I believe the reason climate activists have never been busier is because the entire 20th century energy system is spinning out of control before our eyes. The old energy paradigm is shaking and shuddering on its way to the grave.
Think about it. All the easy oil and gas has run out, so the industry is moving toward the extreme extraction and transport of fracked oil and gas. That’s sparked a backlash. Meanwhile, our society has turned increasingly against coal, prompting companies to try to export it overseas to stay in business. More backlash. And wind and solar prices have simultaneously fallen so dramatically that – in concert with unconventional gas – they are putting nuclear energy on the ropes. Which is why Exelon – owner of the biggest nuclear fleet in America – wants to merge with Pepco in the DC area and increase the number of ratepayers who can prop up its aging nuclear plants. More backlash.
But again all of this is proof that the old energy system is on the way out – much quicker than we thought – while a new energy system is rushing in.
You can see all of this in the extraordinary array of campaigns CCAN is engaged in right now. We’re working with Virginia farmers and landowners and students to fight back against Dominion’s ridiculous proposal to build a 550-mile fracked-gas pipeline in Virginia (a.k.a the Atlantic Coast pipeline). And we’re fighting for an outright moratorium on fracking in Maryland while we also work to stop plans to ship North Dakota crude oil out of Baltimore.
But, because the energy paradigm is changing rapidly, we’re also making dramatic new progress on OFFENSE in both Virginia and Maryland. Our Virginia Coastal Protection Act – with bipartisan support – fell just one vote short of getting out of a Senate committee. The bill would implement a statewide cap on carbon pollution from power plants and use hundreds of millions of dollars in proceeds to protect coastal Virginians from the increasing flooding from sea level rise. We’ll be back next year to pass this bill.
In Maryland, we’re making great progress with a bill that would double the state’s commitment to wind and solar power. Specifically, the bill would require that a whopping 40% of the state’s electricity come from renewable sources. We’re building an incredible coalition to pass this legislation through both houses, and then we’ll demand that the governor sign it.
So here we are in February 2015, fighting defensive battles left and right but making more progress on big carbon-reduction bills in our state capitols than we thought possible just a year ago.
The paradigm is shaking. The times are changing. We’re building up the good as we push out the bad. Stay involved and help us go even further.
Onward!

Mike Tidwell