In the first-ever demonstration of its kind in Annapolis, about 400 Marylanders joined hands Monday to form a “circle of support” around the State House in a hopeful call for final passage of the Maryland Offshore Wind Energy Act (HB 441/ SB 237).
We came. We marched. We got drenched. This is just the beginning…
What do you get when you put over 200 CCAN supporters out in the rain in downtown Richmond on a Saturday? A drenched but fired-up community ready to stand up to Dominion’s Dirty Power!
If you’re on CCAN’s Virginia list, then you surely heard about last Saturday’s event – the March to End Dominion’s Power Madness. After 5 weeks of spreading the word, managing logistics large and small and reaching out to the media, we were ready. So, when we saw the forecast and woke up to drenching rain last Saturday morning, we were a little worried. But, we knew it would take more than a downpour to keep CCAN activists from standing up to the commonwealth’s biggest climate change contributor. We were right!
People came out in droves to Kanawha Plaza, across the street from Dominion’s Richmond offices, with energy and enthusiasm I’ve rarely seen.
March 24 Rally Was a Success!
Hello, everyone! I am CCAN’s new campus organizer for Virginia, and I am very pleased to make your acquaintance. Since starting earlier this month, I have had a great time meeting with students from across the Commonwealth, petitioning, phonebanking (calling students can be incredibly entertaining sometimes), and helping plan for and staff events. Specifically, I am proud to have worked on March 24’s March to End Dominion’s Power Madness in Richmond!
On the morning of the March, I woke up to rain on the skylights, thinking “well, looks like there won’t be many people coming today.” In most cases, when you think of Richmond, VA and rain, you do not think of over 200 people listening to speakers, voicing their opinions, and generally enjoying themselves at a rally.
The Fracking Bill is on the Move!
When "new" is "better"
Don’t get me wrong, “new” is not always better. For instance, I LOVE musical oldies but goodies. Ask around. Nothing gets me more jazzed than listening to a great Stevie Wonder hit or one of my old-school favorites from Marvin Gaye or the Temptations. Classical movies are some of the best that have ever been made. Chief on the list are “In the Heat of the Night” and “The Godfather Parts I & II” (see Part III for why “new” is not always better). In fashion, what once was popular two decades ago will most certainly become popular again in the decade to come.
The point that I’m trying to make is that there are times where I and many of you like to enjoy the greatness of years past and indulge on some of its fruits. In some areas like music, art, and culture, “old” may sometimes be “better”.
But when it comes to industrial, technological, or medical innovations, new is almost always better.
For Rachel Carson
Water makes its way, through fields, hills and mountains
Water makes its way, it has its ups and downs
Water makes its way, it ends up in the oceans
Water makes its way, it really gets around.
I must make my way, no matter what life throws me
I must make my way, must do the best I can
I must make my way, my faith and hope they guide me
I must make my way, together we all must stand
Baltimore County voters pack forum on wind and fracking bills
A crowd of Baltimore voters came to Notre Dame College on Thursday, March 8th to learn about major energy bills facing lawmakers in Annapolis this session. Specifically, attendees and panelists discussed ongoing efforts to pass offshore wind power legislation, and ways to regulate the controversial practice of “fracking” for natural gas in Western Maryland.
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Montgomery County voters pack meeting on wind and fracking bills
A full house of Montgomery County voters came to Rockville Tuesday, March 6, to learn what lawmakers in Annapolis are doing to pass offshore wind power legislation while regulating the controversial practice of “fracking” for natural gas in Western Maryland.
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NOT IN MY BACKYARD!
Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Dawone Robinson, and I’m the new Virginia Policy Coordinator for CCAN. As of the moment that I write this blog, I have been in the state of Virginia for a mere 2 days and 22 hours. Having lived in Iowa most of my life, I was amazed by Virginia’s gorgeous scenery as I made my way to my new home. When I arrived, I stepped out of my car, looked around at the trees and beautiful terrain, and spent a few moments to soak it all in. I was beginning to fall in love with my new state of Virginia!
…
And then yesterday happened…
Resolving to address Hampton Roads sea level rise
Hopefully the resolution will pass in a strong form, but sea level rise is not the only negative effect of Virginia relying on fossil fuels. Coal-burning power plants not only put out greenhouse gases, they emit heavy metals that contaminate water and make fish from local rivers unsafe to eat. They cause asthma and disproportionately affect lower income and minority Virginians with the health effects of living in polluted communities downwind of these toxic facilities.
Returning to the conclusions that the Governor’s Commission on Climate Change made, we need to think hard about what our energy system is doing to our coastal areas and what we need to do differently. Then we’ll address a big cause of sea level rise, and a host of other problems, and not just treat a symptom.
