Category: Blog

After Maryland's election, we're going on offense

There’s no sugarcoating it: Tuesday’s election created new obstacles in our fight for climate solutions in Maryland. Governor-elect Larry Hogan questions the basic science of global warming. He also supports fracking and opposes key state policies promoting clean energy.
So what should we do? We could all have a long cry and feel sorry for our state. OR … we could raise our voices even louder and organize even harder for climate solutions. I say we double down on what we believe in. Here’s the truth: We still have big majorities of legislators in both chambers in Annapolis who understand the science of climate change and want to do something about it.
So why go on defense? Let’s go on offense!
Let’s DOUBLE our state’s commitment to carbon-free energy with new legislation in the next six months. And let’s keep reckless fracking out of our state at the same time—no matter who is our governor.
Sign this letter to Senate President Mike Miller, House Speaker Mike Busch and Governor-elect Larry Hogan. Tell them to work together to enact legislation in 2015 to double our state’s use of wind and solar power, and urge them to protect our land from dangerous fracking.
Here’s another truth: Despite Larry Hogan’s election, there’s plenty of room for optimism on energy policies in Maryland. That’s because we’ve been in this exact same position before—and won transformative victories—under the last Republican governor in our state.
Nearly ten years ago, under then Gov. Bob Ehrlich, climate activists like you helped pass the Maryland Healthy Air Act to dramatically reduce power plant pollution. And you helped pass Maryland’s original clean electricity mandate (a.k.a. the “Renewable Portfolio Standard”). Governor Ehrlich, who did not embrace global warming as a priority, signed both bills into law thanks to the commitment, sweat, and passion of people like you.
So what can we do under Governor Hogan? Again, let’s pass a transformative bipartisan bill to DOUBLE the state’s commitment to wind and solar power. Right now our state—by law—will require 20% of Maryland’s electricity to come from clean sources by the year 2022. Let’s double it to 40% instead by the year 2025. Such a bill, passed now, will create thousands of jobs and save thousands of lives while dramatically reducing carbon pollution across Maryland. And we can do it.
Sign this letter to Senate President Mike Miller, House Speaker Mike Busch and Governor-elect Larry Hogan. Tell them to work together to enact legislation in 2015 to double our state’s use of wind and solar power, and urge them to protect our land from dangerous fracking.

The fact is that no governor can afford to veto all or even most of the important bills passed by an opposition legislature. The most popular bills, supported by the most vocal advocates, are likely to get signed. Again, witness Bob Ehrlich from 2003-2007. And remember: legislators who have shown they are willing to act on climate change—including Democrats and some Republicans alike—still control the Senate and House in Annapolis by veto-proof majorities.
In other words, game on.
Finally, as Marylanders, we simply can not allow gas companies to frack recklessly across our state—no matter who is governor. Period. It’s bad for the climate. It’s bad for communities. Some of the most inspiring news from Tuesday’s elections is that cities and counties from coast to coast passed fracking bans and other restrictions that now inspire the rest of us to fight harder with every creative tool at our disposal.
Our planet continues to warm, regardless of who won on Tuesday. The latest report from the world’s top scientists warns that we will see “irreversible” impacts from climate change unless we do our part to fight back now!
In Maryland, it’s time to speed up, not slow down. Are you with me? Sign the letter to our state leaders and stay tuned for updates from CCAN as we prepare to make history in 2015.

Beyond Extreme Energy Week of Action in DC

Starting November 1st, hundreds of people are planning to take part in a very full week of climate action in Washington, D.C., focused on FERC, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The week will also draw connections to other very problematic institutions as far as the global warming crisis.
Over 50 organizations have endorsed this week of action, many of them local groups fighting fracking, fracking infrastructure and proposed fracked-gas export terminals. On Friday, November 7th, the last day of the week, dozens of fracktivists from the fracking-ravaged state of Pennsylvania are traveling to DC to anchor that morning’s action at FERC.
The continuing fight against the Cove Point export terminal is a central reason for this week and a major focus of the Beyond Extreme Energy (BXE) demands, which can be found at http://bit.ly/BeyondExtremeEnergy; and in summary demand:

A withdrawal of permits already granted by FERC at Cove Point, as well as at Myersville, Md., Minisink, NY and Seneca Lake, NY, as well as a stop to the permitting of any more fracked-gas infrastructure;
That FERC prioritize the rights and health of human beings and all life on Earth over private profit, address climate chaos and adhere to the precautionary principle;
That FERC commissioners meet with communities affected by already-approved or proposed fossil fuel infrastructure; and,
That Congress convene an investigation into FERC’s rubber-stamping ways.

The heart of the BXE actions is five days of nonviolent sit-ins at the entrances to FERC every morning of the November 3-7 workweek. Over 100 people have signed up and indicated their willingness to risk arrest, with many others signed up to participate in other ways.
Saturday, November 1st: BXE participants join with the Great March for Climate Action as they walk the final leg of an eight month journey across the country which began in Los Angeles in March. Hundreds of us will walk from Elm Street Park just a few blocks from the Bethesda Metro stop, gathering at 9 and beginning at 9:30 am. The 7 mile walk will end at the White House where there will be a rally. Then that evening, at 7:00 pm at St. Stephens Church, there will be a longer program where marchers reflect upon their heroic experience.
Sunday, November 2nd: Full day of training, discussion and preparation for the week of action, at Impact Hub DC at 419 7th St. NW. from 10AM-8PM
In addition to the early morning actions at FERC, there will also be actions each afternoon at other locations.
Monday, November 3rd: Afternoon demonstration outside the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee calling upon them to get real about the seriousness of the climate crisis. This will be followed by a “flash mob” action at FERC and at Union Station spearheaded by fracktivists coming down from New York City. For the DNC action gather at the Columbus Statue outside of Union Station at 1:30/1:45 for a march to DNC. Look for the “flash mob” group around 4:15 at the same location.
Tuesday, November 4th: A bus has been reserved to take people to Cove Point for a demonstration in support of local people who continue to fight the plans by Dominion to build a dangerous export terminal. We plan to be in Solomon’s Island on Solomon’s Island Rd. near the long bridge by 2 pm.
Wednesday, November 5th: There will be an action at the Justice Department calling for them to intervene to see that justice is done in Ferguson, Mo. and that the national scourge of police brutality, especially against black and brown youth, is seriously addressed. We say: stop disrespecting and abusing the earth and its climate, stop disrespecting and abusing the people. We plan to be at the Justice Department, 950 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, between 9th and 10th Sts., by 2 PM.
Thursday, November 6th: We will demonstrate outside the headquarters of National Public Radio, which keeps running pro-fracking ads of the oil and gas industry and just cut back its team of environmental reporters to one! NPR is at 1111 N. Capitol St. NW, near L St.
Friday, November 7th: Led by fracktivists from Pennsylvania, we will go the Dept. of Transportation to demonstrate against its policies and practices that are allowing a dramatic expansion of coal, oil and gas shipments, including exports. We should be there around 1:30 pm, and DOT is at 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, at M St.
Click here for full schedule.
There is still time to make plans to participate in this important seven days of climate action. You can find out more and sign up at http://bit.ly/BeyondExtremeEnergy. Let’s build upon the power and spirit of the People’s Climate March and say loudly and clearly that NOW IS THE TIME TO STEP IT UP ON CLIMATE!

Over 4,000 Petitions Delivered to Gov. O'Malley: NO Fracking in Maryland!

On Thursday, October 16, dozens of CCAN activists converged in Annapolis to deliver over 4,000 petitions to Governor O’Malley, urging him to keep our state’s moratorium on fracking in place.
We gathered on Lawyer’s mall, across from the State House to hear the words of Emily Blase, a student at the University of Maryland College Park working on fracking and climate issues, and Dr. Margaret Flowers, the Co-Director of PopularResistance.org, who spoke to the risks associated with fracking, the impacts it’s had on communities in Pennslyvania, and how people are coming together to further resist fracking and natural gas pipelines. Carrying signs that highlighted the communities in Maryland at risk of fracking, we marched into the State House to deliver our petitions to Gov. O’Malley’s administration.
This is a critical time to speak out. In 2011, Gov. O’Malley, took an important first step towards protecting Maryland from drilling: he established a three year commission to investigate how fracking would impact our health, economy, and safety, and said no drilling permits would be issued in Maryland in the meantime. State agencies are scheduled to complete these studies in the next few months, even though a lack of funding, resources and time has compromised them from the start.
As the clock runs out on the review process, Maryland could be left with no protections against fracking when Gov. O’Malley leaves office in January. So we went to the Capitol to remind Gov. O’Malley of the thousands of us that are informed and upset about the threat of fracking, and remind him of the millions across the state that fracking could negatively impact.
In July, the Maryland Department of the Environment released proposed Best Management Practices (BMPs) around fracked gas drilling that they predict, if enforced, would be able to adequately protect Marylanders from the risks involved with fracking–but we know better. The best practices are suggestions, not regulations. Furthermore, there is no guarantee that they will become regulatory requirements, or that these regulations would even be enforceable. For more on the flaws of the BMPs, read “No ‘best practices’ could guarantee Maryland’s safety if fracking is allowed,” a letter in the Baltimore Sun from members of the Governor’s own Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission.
With every passing week, new studies are released on the harmful impacts of fracking, in Maryland and across the country. In August, the O’Malley administration released a study, prepared by researchers at the University of Maryland, aimed at assessing the potential public health impacts of allowing fracking in Maryland. The findings were alarming, and you can read more about the report here.
In the coming months, CCAN will continue to educate our leaders on the dangers of fracking, and fight to keep fracking out of our state to protect the health and safety of all Marylanders.
Additional Resources
Read: Maryland Study shows that protecting our health requires keeping fracking out.
For more pictures from the action, click here.

Dominion Admits the Truth: Cove Point Plant Could Explode, Trapping Neighbors

Finally, Dominion Resources is admitting the truth: Its massive gas export facility in southern Maryland could indeed blow up and threaten innocent nearby neighbors. In fact, Dominion is now planning to build an emergency evacuation road to help some – but not all – of the potentially trapped victims.
For the last couple years, Dominion has sworn up and down on its stack of documents that its Cove Point fracked-gas export plant in southern Maryland would pose zero threat to families nearby. In fact, in a brazen open letter to the community, Dominion wrote: “As the federal safety review found, in the unlikely event of an emergency at the terminal, it would pose no threat to those outside the facility’s boundaries.”
Now, however, just a week after federal regulators signed off on this titanic project September 29th (with court challenges to come), Dominion has announced an “enhancement” to its plans: a new escape road that the company would build for some of the vulnerable nearby residents of Lusby, Maryland. Totally voluntarily, of course. Just to be good neighbors.
This little road is a de facto Dominion admission that the vapor-cloud-fireball accident that can’t possibly happen could happen after all. In addition, a few days later, Dominion submitted a Cove Point evacuation plan, listing emergencies “with the potential for offsite impact” and “that could require an evacuation of the surrounding areas.” Those emergencies include an uncontrolled leak, fire involving natural gas product, and rupture of a gas pipeline.

VIDEO: Learn why Lusby residents fear for their safety

The company has been deceiving residents since Day 1 about the safety of this facility. Because, of course, Dominion can’t possibly provide assurances to residents living nearby. It can’t guarantee that an accident will stay behind the 60-foot-high wall that will go up around much of the plant. It refuses to conduct a full safety study requested by neighbors and it certainly can’t defy the laws of physics and contain leaking and billowing gases in search of a spark.
Not that this little road will create safe passage for those living southeast of the plant, as it is still within a half-mile of Dominion’s front gate. A 2006 study done for an expansion at the existing import plant found that a flash fire could incinerate people nearly a mile away. Dominion’s behind-the-scenes purchase on Sept. 19 of a $319,000 house to create a bypass south of the plant offers only false security while simultaneously confirming the very hazard the company denies.
Lusby residents have been right all along. They have turned their lives over to research. They have pleaded for protection from elected and appointed officials. They have pointed out that Dominion documents overlook 39,732 residents living in the area, including 8,000 within 2 miles of the company gates. For their efforts, they have received only platitudes about safety. With Dominion’s revelations about this road, residents know their fears for their lives and their homes are justified.
And shame on elected officials, including Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley, Rep. Steny Hoyer, U.S. Sens. Barbara Mikulski and Ben Cardin, for backing this Virginia energy company instead of Maryland residents. This little road shows that officials should have stood on the side of safety and of their citizens, just as many did in 2009. Then, Gov. O’Malley, Sen. Mikulski and Sen. Cardin were key to blocking a liquefied natural gas (LNG) import plant at Sparrows Point in Baltimore. They rebuked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for rubberstamping AES Corp.’s plans. Residents and officials alike were concerned about the risk of explosions, terrorist threats and harm to the Chesapeake Bay. AES dropped the project in 2013, just as Lusby residents were learning of Dominion’s plans for their community.
Lusby residents can be forgiven for their cynicism and sense of betrayal.
At this point, the most appropriate next step is a thorough investigation and analysis of all risks involved, something residents have long called for and FERC has so far refused to authorize. Otherwise, we will never know why Dominion, just days after FERC’s approval, is suddenly offering a limited bypass road — a gesture both distracting and utterly inadequate for an “offsite impact” from uncontrolled leaks, fires, and gas line ruptures.
Short of that, the only humane and ethical path forward is for Dominion to buy all homes within at least a mile of the plant — a solution that has precedent. Last year, Freeport LNG in Texas offered to buy, at market rate plus $25,000, all 73 homes in Quintana, a small beach town where escape is blocked by yet another FERC-approved export plant.
The Cove Point export plant is a disaster for the economy, the climate, the Chesapeake Bay, and communities in the way of fracking, pipelines and compressor stations. But the most immediate danger is to Lusby residents. This little road proves that residents have been correct and Dominion has been misleading all along.

Recap and Look Forward: Governor McAuliffe’s Energy Plan

Yesterday, Governor Terry McAuliffe formally unveiled his highly-anticipated energy plan for Virginia. The nearly 500-page document was officially released two weeks ago, but the administration presented the plan with analysis for the first time before a room of 200 interested clean energy advocates, utility representatives, business associates, and the general public.
Speaking on the plan, Governor McAuliffe spoke passionately about his desire to catch up to neighboring states in renewable development. Specifically, McAuliffe stated affirmatively that “climate change exists and humans contribute to climate change.” He also declared that “it’s time for the commonwealth to lead on solar and wind generation.” I couldn’t agree more.
The details of the Virginia Energy Plan offer some glimpses into exactly how the governor will accomplish his pledge to use renewables to “diversify and build a new Virginia economy.” Although none of the recommendations in the energy plan are binding in any way, the plan provides an opportunity to lay forth a strong vision for clean energy. On the whole, the plan is fairly strong with some notable exceptions. Without further ado, here’s a recap on the Virginia Energy Plan and a look forward into Virginia’s near future.
A Recap on Renewables
Grow. Strength. Diversity. Those three words were the self-described “hallmarks” of McAuliffe’s energy plan. McAuliffe pledged to make solar a priority and that is evident in his plan. The first set of recommendations deals mostly with solar and calls for the increase of this zero-emitting resource. Among several recommendation, the plan calls for an increase from 1% to 3% in the net-metering program cap. Tripling the total limit would be great if we were anywhere close to the existing 1% cap on net-metering.
(note: the 1% program cap refers to a limit of the percentage of customer-owned net-metering energy in Virginia. Currently, the max is 1% of peak-load from the previous year)
As you know, one of the reasons why Virginia hasn’t sniffed the 1% net-metering limit is because utilities have moved heaven and earth to stop the growth of customer-owned solar dead in its tracks. Current laws place onerous standby charges on solar homeowners and place limits on the size of systems that residents and businesses may install and net-meter on their own property.
But Governor McAuliffe has a solution to at least one of these problems. His energy plan proposes doubling the allowed maximum net-metered system size for both residential and non-residential customers, from 20 kw to 40 kw for residential and 500 kw to 1 MW for non-residential customers.
Additionally, the energy plan recommends the creation of a Solar Energy Development Authority to facilitate the development of 15 MW of solar on state and local government facilities and an additional 15 MW of solar on commercial, industrial, and residential facilities by July of 2017.
These are terrific ideas, but I would’ve taken them a few steps further. The net-metering non-residential project cap should be increased to 2 MW rather than the 1 MW proposed in the plan. Both Maryland and Florida for instance have similar project caps at 2 MW. Although our neighbors to the south, North Carolina, has a 1 MW cap similar to McAuliffe’s proposed new limit, it’s worth mentioning that North Carolina has a very generous state tax credit which is helping to drive solar in the state (Virginia was denied this opportunity by our General Assembly last year and this needed solution is not recommended in the plan). North Carolina also has a mandatory RPS with a solar carve-out (Virginia was denied this opportunity by our utilities and our General Assembly virtually every year and this needed solution is also not recommended in the plan.)
Georgia has a project cap less than Virginia, but benefits significantly due to their state Public Service Commission recently issuing an order mandating the state’s largest utility to increase its solar development by 525 MW by 2016. I can’t imagine our State Corporation Commission doing the same to Dominion Virginia Power.
And while we’re talking total megawatts installed, having an energy plan that specifically calls on 30 MW of additional solar in a state that only has about 15 MW installed may sound great if it were not for the fact that North Carolina has 627 MW of solar currently installed and Maryland has 161 MW. If the governor wants to truly play catch-up to our neighbors, we should set more ambitious goals. All that being said, the eagerness of this administration to grow solar in the state is fairly evident in the plan.
By now you may be wondering why this section summarizing renewables within the energy plan so heavily focuses on solar and not, for instance, offshore wind. Well, that’s because concrete recommendations for offshore wind in the energy plan are hard to come by. The plan mentions the need to develop offshore wind in the 112,000 acres Dominion exclusively leased in September of last year, but there’s no actionable recommendation to be found.
The administration could have, and should have, specifically recommended that Dominion develop this resource as soon as possible and include offshore wind in their 15 year Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) mandated by the SCC. But the plan doesn’t go “there”.
A Recap on Coal, Oil, and Natural Gas
The plan encourages more coal exports. The plan endorses offshore oil and gas drilling. The plan doubles-down on increasing natural gas pipelines like Dominion’s behemoth 550-mile pipeline that is generating so much controversy. How can a governor, who so passionately talks about the need to address climate change, endorse the three-headed monster of coal, oil, and gas expansions?
Well, the administration will tell you that it’s a part of the governor’s “all of the above” energy strategy, although the governor assures the environmental community that he is serious about addressing climate change. For what it’s worth, I have zero doubt about Governor McAuliffe’s sincerity in fighting the climate battle, but the mixed message is tough to ignore.
I’ll let others explain how we can encourage Virginia companies to export coal products abroad so other countries can burn it there while stressing the need to address global climate change. It’s akin to a father asking his child to clean his room but allowing the child to shovel clothes under the bed. Out of sight out of mind? Unfortunately climate change doesn’t work that way.
We all know the dangers of offshore oil and gas drilling. Racing to dig deeper and burn more fossil fuels is not the answer. Nor is supporting Dominion’s gas pipeline. But the McAuliffe administration got an earful from 30 or so protesters, mostly from Nelson County, who vented their frustration about the pipeline during his speech yesterday. That’s all I have to say about that.
A Look Forward to Efficiency
What can we expect in the immediate future as a result of the energy plan? That answer has to do with energy efficiency, which aside from solar, is easily the 2^nd biggest component of the energy plan and topic that Governor McAuliffe seems most excited about pursuing. Virginia currently has a goal of reducing energy consumption 10% by 2022 according to 2006 levels. Of course the goal is voluntary for Virginia loves its toothless, voluntary targets.
The energy plan states that the governor will create a new Virginia Board on Energy Efficiency through executive order whose task will be to achieve the 10% reduction target by 2020, two years earlier than the original goal. The new Board will be convened quickly – the plan states by the end of the year. Fast action is necessary as Virginia has achieved less than 1% reductions to-date.
Governor McAuliffe took things one step further in the effort to make Virginia a “leader on efficiency” by stating in the plan that he will appoint a Chief Energy Efficiency Officer in his administration to oversee the aforementioned efforts and jumpstart crucial efficiency programs in state facilities.
As the governor said himself during his speech yesterday, “the cheapest energy is the energy we don’t use.” We need to aggressively explore our efficiency options which has the added benefit of saving homeowners money and creating thousands of new jobs in the state. Here the governor deserves unquestioned praise.
Summary
Virginia has incredible untapped potential in renewables and energy efficiency. While it’s disappointing the administration supports increases in fossil fuels generation and exploration, the level to which Governor McAuliffe openly talks about the need to address climate change is encouraging, and several of the policy proposals outlined in the plan are good steps in the right direction.

energy efficiency solar energy Virginia

The Seas are Rising, and So Are We!

CCAN ignites passion among its core volunteers during a potluck in Norfolk.
As legislators gear up for the Virginia General Assembly to begin in January, CCAN is ensuring that residents of Hampton Roads are prepared as well. Through action and upcoming events, we are working to equip volunteers and community leaders with the knowledge, skills, and resources to ensure that Virginia coastlines are protected. The time is now to begin conversations about what we want to see happen during the next legislative session. We are so thankful to everyone who continues to spearhead the important conversations about coastal protection in Hampton Roads.
On September 28th, we were able to show our appreciation for the great people of Norfolk during a Potluck event. It was a powerful evening, meeting and talking about real issues with volunteers in the Norfolk community. After moving from Baltimore, I was reminded why I decided to return to Hampton Roads and continue to fight for coastal protection…people like YOU! We had a special guest at our dinner, CCAN’s executive director, Mike Tidwell, to discuss the importance of taking action and protecting this extremely vulnerable region of Virginia. Mike is a phenomenal speaker and shared unique insight on what it will take to ensure the safety of residents, reduce fossil fuel emissions and generate funding for coastal adaptation.
CCAN is always looking for ways to impart knowledge and develop the skills it takes to make an impact in frontline communities.
What’s Next? Join the conversation.
Our next event is on Wednesday, October 15th. We will have a happy hour and training on how to tell effective stories about the impacts we deal with in Hampton Roads. Finding the best ways to articulate our personal stories will help us better communicate with others in the community as well as legislators. Can’t wait to see you there!
Here are the details:
Who: CCAN and climate activists from Hampton Roads.
What: Storytelling training and happy hour.
When: Wednesday, October 15th, 7PM.
Where: Pasha Mezze, 340 W 22nd St. Norfolk, VA 23517.

CCAN Activist Spotlight: Natalie Pien and the first-ever Loudoun Solar Tour

On Saturday September 13th, folks from all around NoVA joined neighbors and local legislators for the first ever Solar Home Tour in NoVA. We visited a handful of Loudoun County homes with both PV and thermal solar, educating local elected officials along the way.
After the tour, we sat down with Natalie Pien, who worked to organize the tour, and hear why using resident clean energy is important to her as a climate activist.
Q: Why did you want to organize a solar tour?
A: The tour was not my idea, but it was a great one that Phil Hostetter (a CCAN activist) came up with during CCAN’s activist conference call last Spring. It is important to promote solar energy in Loudoun. I wanted to showcase homeowners who feel so passionately about using clean, renewable sources of energy that they have installed solar despite the lack of financial incentives. These people understand the problem with using fossil fuels as an energy source and want to do whatever they can to reduce their carbon footprint.
Q: How have you used solar and retrofitting to reduce your home fuel use?
A: The solar panels on our roof is only one part of our home designed to lower our carbon footprint. We installed the panels when there was limited funding from VA when it received federal funds to stimulate the state economy. The Governor decided to designate the funds for solar installations. Without that funding, we probably would not have been able to afford the installation.
Our home has other energy efficiency/lowering carbon footprint features, including:

passive solar design;
2 X 6 framing to allow extra insulation on exterior walls;
thermal mass in the form of water tubes and tiled, concrete floor;
ductless, mini-split heat pumps, providing true zone controlled air conditioning.
high energy washing machine
energy efficient refrigerator
practice composting in the kitchen and the yard
vegetable garden
hybrid car
occasional commuting by bike

Q: What did you hope to accomplish with this tour? And, did you accomplish those goals?
A: The tour was a success! We had elected officials from state government and town of Leesburg government. These officials were able to learn what their constituents have encountered with installing solar under current conditions. Each home was different, showing that any style home can use solar panels. Also, each homeowner had different information and experiences to share. Tour attendees gained a new level of comfort they did not have before. They also got a sneak peak to Solarize Leesburg, a program that will make it even easier to go solar.
Q: What was your highlight of the day?
A: I really enjoyed the last stop on our tour at Sunset Hills Vineyard. Owner Mike Canney gave a really powerful speech about his solar powered vineyard that was interesting and inspiring. It is wonderful to have small business so passionate about solar.
To see more photos from the tour, check our Facebook album here.
Interested in getting involved in our solar work at CCAN? Click here to check out our new solar campaign!

Why We Oppose the Proposed Exelon-Pepco Merger

In April, the giant utility company Exelon announced plans to buy Pepco, the electricity utility that serves customers in Maryland and Washington, D.C. Exelon would become the biggest power distributor in Maryland and in the United States — should the deal go through. But for that to happen, the Public Service Commissions in the District of Columbia and Maryland must approve it, and find that the deal serves the “public interest.”
As an environmental group, we are strongly opposed to the proposed merger between Exelon and Pepco. In Maryland, we know this project is certainly not in the public interest. Not only would it give Exelon a near-monopoly over our state’s utility market, but also it would severely restrict Maryland’s ability to transition to the clean, affordable, and efficient electricity grid we need. Furthermore, given Exelon’s track record, which includes opposition to many renewable energy policies, we are concerned that there is no way forward for this merger that would produce the key reforms and positive elements that Maryland’s electricity grid requires.
Today, CCAN joined together with twenty consumer, student, environmental, business and faith groups to announce our staunch and united opposition to this merger. The Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) must sign off on the merger before it can proceed, and we are standing together to say: Stop the Merger! No Exelon Monopoly in Maryland.
Sign-on letter opposing the merger:
Click here to view a PDF copy of the open letter signed by 20 groups opposing the Merger.
Press release:
Click here to view our press Release-Maryland Leaders Oppose Exelon-Pepco Merger.
Resources:
“Delaware Panel Sets Hearings on Exelon, Pepco Merger.” Delaware News Journal. 7/10/2014.
“Exelon and Pepco File for Merger in Maryland.” Exelon. 8/19/2014.
“Exelon merger in New Jersey blocked.” State of New Jersey.” 4/26/2006.
“Exelon Tops Maryland Lobbying Spending. RTO Insider.” 7/2/2014.
“Utility Exelon Trying to Kill Wind and Solar Subsidies While Keeping Nukes.” Greentech Media. 4/1/2014.
“Why DC Should Oppose the Exelon-Pepco Merger.” Washington Post. 8/1/2014.

Cove Point: Feds give flawed approval. We keep fighting.

On Monday, at 7:40 p.m., the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) announced its final order approving this radical, fracked-gas export facility proposed along the Chesapeake Bay in southern Maryland.
Despite mounds of testimony and scientific data showing this $3.8 billion facility would incentivize harmful fracking throughout our region and bring unconscionable safety risks to nearby communities, FERC refused to even conduct an environmental impact statement for the project. Despite a study from the U.S. Department of Energy showing that gas exports are likely worse than coal for global warming over the next 20 years, FERC didn’t even try to quantify the project’s climate impacts before lending its rubber stamp.
In other words, the FERC decision on Cove Point is a giant lie — and we will challenge it. In the same way that TransCanada lies about the harms of the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline, FERC lies about Cove Point. In the same way that Peabody Coal lies about the harms of mountaintop removal mining, FERC lies about Cove Point. The secretive, truth-hiding collaboration between FERC and its gas-industry partner Dominion Resources (the energy bully and would-be builder of Cove Point), is an affront to every child, parent, and grandparent on this planet.
Which is why we are NOT going to stop fighting against Cove Point — from the streets to the courts. We’re just moving to the legal phase now. And we’ll move to the next phase and the next after that. And how could we stop fighting anyway?
There were 400,000 people in New York City just ten days ago, with a roar and a mass so big I’m sure satellites picked it up in outer space. The People’s Climate March, with babies wearing windmill crowns and senior citizens wearing “Stop Fracking” buttons, signaled that a new day is dawning in America. We’re the movement we’ve always been waiting for! We’re here. We’re big. And we’re going to win. Which means we have no time for a worse-than-coal export facility for fracked gas in Maryland. The FERC approval is a momentary setback. It’s just a prelude to the legal battle just ahead. CCAN and our partners will likely sue soon, demanding a proper and thorough environmental impact statement as our right by law.
What can you do right away to keep fighting? Here’s what:
1. Join the rapid response demonstration that CCAN and our allies are planning outside the FERC headquarters in Washington, DC this Friday.
Or, if you’re a Southern Marylander, join a solidarity demonstration Friday outside the Dominion Cove Point site in Lusby.
And if you live in Maryland:
2. Mark your calendar and join a statewide conference call on Wednesday, October 8th at 7 p.m. We’ll plot next steps on Cove Point, including how to stop all gas exports by flooding our state – and soon the planet – with solar panels and wind turbines. Join the call October 8th and learn more.
Meanwhile, at a moment like this, it’s important to thank your friends and hold your opponents accountable. The FERC decision on Monday is a setback. There’s no hiding that. It’s a massive failure of federal regulatory responsibility. And it’s a failure of political leadership. That failure starts with President Obama who, despite a world hurdling past 400 parts per million carbon in the atmosphere, has embraced a ludicrous energy policy of “all of the bove.” That explicitly includes fracking and fracked-gas exports despite the science showing such gas dooms his own children. Are the gas-industry donations to Democratic Party campaigns really worth that?
The failure continues with Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley. Despite the pleas of Calvert County Maryand residents near Cove Point, the Governor never ordered a comprehensive safety study to protect local citizens from accidental explosions at Cove Point. In fact, O’Malley literally fell asleep during a hearing on safety with citizen witnesses testifying just 30 feet across from him. Shame.
The failure continues with southern Maryland congressman Steny Hoyer and US Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara Mikulski. All three refused to publicly oppose this economically and environmentally harmful project. Indeed, none of them even called publicly for an environmental impact statement despite the pleas of voters and newspapers like The Baltimore Sun. Shame.
But as much bad behavior as there’s been in this Cove Point fight, there has been good behavior from citizen angels all across this region. Among others, many thanks to: Citizen Shale, Sierra Club, Chesapeake Physicians for Social Responsibility, Calvert Citizens for a Healthy Community, Waterkeepers everywhere, Food and Water Watch, Maryland Environmental Health Network, Maryland League of Women Voters, 350.org, Labor Network for Sustainability, Environmental Action, Burks Gas Truth, and many, many, many more groups and individuals.
I can’t wait to work with you in the coming days and months to keep fighting for clean energy — not Dominion’s disaster at Cove Point — and to keep the spirit of the 400,000-stong New York City climate march alive and growing!
On we go,
Mike Tidwell
Director, Chesapeake Climate Action Network
Click here to read our joint press statement in response to FERC’s decision.

Sunday's Beautiful Sea of People = Power

Yesterday, we started changing everything because of everyone who showed up in the streets of New York City. The People’s Climate March was huge — with the final crowd count of 400,000 people toppling the record books and making this the biggest climate demonstration in history.
The mass numbers were apparent if, like CCAN staff and supporters, you had lined up toward the back of the 20-block-long assembly area. Standing with the Anti-Fracking Allies, who came from all over New York and Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Maryland, and beyond, and just in front of the “Debate is Over” scientists’ contingent replete with a “chalkboard” lesson on climate science, we waited until well after 2:00 p.m. to start marching. In front of us and behind us was a sea of people, and a beautiful sea it was.
But it wasn’t just the numbers that were inspiring and change-making, it was who showed up to create them. They really did include just about everyone.
Indigenous communities and communities of color — who, as the banner they held stated, are on the “Frontlines of Crisis, Forefront of Change” — led the march.

New Yorkers flooded out during Hurricane Sandy and other folks displaced from their homes and homelands by rising tides carried symbolic life preservers and tents.

A raucous, dancing and chanting youth contingent of 50,000 filled ten city blocks and united students from 400 campuses.

Immigrants marched. Teamsters marched. Healthcare workers marched. So so many children marched — as well as grandparents. Muslim marchers stood shoulder to shoulder with Christians and Jews and Buddhists. LGBTQ folks like myself were part of every contingent.
In just the immediate few blocks where CCANers set off, we were surrounded by people resisting tar sands pipelines in the Midwest, oil drilling in the Arctic, fracking wells in the Catskills, and the Cove Point liquefied natural gas export terminal along the Chesapeake Bay in Southern Maryland.

To me, the most inspiring part of seeing so many people come together is knowing that so many people understand that we are all connected in this fight. And that is power.
Our record numbers made a bold and decisive statement about the urgency for action. And the diversity therein made a bold and decisive statement about the kind of movement we must build to win it. The solution is clear — switching from fossil fuels to clean energy. So is the biggest obstacle — an economic and political system most often run by and for big corporations, corporations that make money and maintain power by perpetuating injustice, dividing our communities and, ultimately, wrecking the planet.
Creating the change we need on climate will require transforming those systems to serve people and to protect the planet. That transformation won’t be easy, or quick, and it will take a lot more organizing on scales both bigger and smaller than the march on Sunday. But if everyone who marched on Sunday, and everyone who was there in spirit, keeps taking action — and keeps building connections between our movements — we might just have the power to build a better future for everyone.

Category: Blog

After Maryland's election, we're going on offense

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