It’s like one of those horror movie zombies, the thing that just won’t die. Yes, once again the Republican Party, joined by some Democrats, all doing the work of Exxon Mobil, Chevron, the American Petroleum Institute and all the others, are trying to force through approval of the Keystone XL pipeline in Congress.
Federal officials green light offshore wind energy leasing in Maryland
Wind energy development off of Maryland’s Eastern Shore inched closer to reality after federal officials in Baltimore announced that developing wind energy there would not harm the coastal environment.
In a statement released last week, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar – along with Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) Director Tommy Beaudreau – released findings from a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) assessment indicating there would be “no significant environmental impacts from issuing wind energy leases in areas off the mid-Atlantic Coast.”
My first Polar Bear Plunge
When I came on staff with CCAN in October, I knew that I was going to be working my tail off to pass the Maryland Offshore Wind Energy Act in the 2012 legislative session. I expected the late night strategy sessions and the phone banking and the petitioning. I did not, however, expect that I would also be jumping (all the way) into the icy Potomac in January. That definitely was not in the job description. And yet, on January 21st, myself and around 100 others charged into the frigid waters wearing (in most cases) little more than a bathing suit. Watch this video to get the full effect. Continue reading
CCANers bring the fight for real renewables to Richmond!
Today, CCANers from all over Virginia visited the Capitol to express frustration, disappointment, and even outrage at all the ways our renewable portfolio standard has been weakened during this legislative session.
Update from the Virginia General Assembly
Bills are flying through the General Assembly this session! All of the bills we have been working on have already gone through committee meetings and I’m happy to announce that one of our RPS reform bills, Del. McClellan’s HB 1166, has unanimously passed the house and its companion, Sen. McEachin’s SB 382, will most likely sail through the Senate by the end of the week!
My highlights from the Polar Bear Plunge
On January 21st over 100 people ran into the cold Potomac River as part of CCAN’s 7th Annual Polar Bear Plunge. We braved the ice and snow (about an inch worth) that came down the night before, and leftover light rain, to do the first of these seven plunges with precipitation on the ground.
R. Paul Smith Slated for Shutdown
On January 26 2012, CCAN and EIP celebrated our first major victory in the fight against dirty power plants in Maryland. when First Energy announced that it will close the R. Paul Smith coal-fired power plant in Williamsport by September 1, 2012!
R. Paul Smith coal plant slated for shut down!
On January 26 2012, CCAN and EIP celebrated our first major victory in the fight against dirty power plants in Maryland when First Energy announced that it will close the R. Paul Smith coal-fired power plant in Williamsport by September 1, 2012!
Dominion's bait and switch
The Virginian-Pilot
By Mike Tidwell
Imagine a teenager’s very messy room. Family members plead for a clean up. Finally, for a $10 “incentive” payment, the teen straightens up, declares compliance and dashes off to the 7-11 for $10 of snacks and soda. But sadly, family members enter the room only to find mounds of dirty dishes, soiled clothes and used tissues stuffed under the bed. A con job.
Now imagine that the room in question is Virginia’s historically polluted air and our over-reliance on dirty, unsustainable fossil fuels. Who’s the take-the-money-and-run offender in this case? Why, it’s Dominion Virginia Power.
Continue reading
Video: Keystone XL Victory
We stopped the Keystone XL pipeline! Take a moment to pat yourself on the back. I sure tried to enjoy the moment, as well as the flood of emails I received from friends and family across the county who were just as excited as I am.
The video below is an excellent wrap up of the campaign and has Jane Kleeb of Bold Nebraska and Bill McKibbin of 350.org’s immediate thoughts after the victory.
Bill also plugs the action happening on Tuesday the 24th here in DC. As Congress returns to business, we’ll be ready to blow the whistle on their corruption. Hundreds will gather at the Capitol dressed in referee uniforms, and then heading to the American Petroleum Institute – Big Oil’s top lobby – to do the same. Check out the facebook event here if you are interested in attending!
As Bill McKibbin said in this video- this is a “real victory for people standing up. ” So here’s to standing up for what you believe in!
