In a post Citizens United v. FECworld, where industry can pay Continue reading
Giving the gift of wind
Today we gathered in front of the Governor’s Mansion to bring Governor McDonnell an early Christmas present- $400 in renewable energy credits (RECs) to power the mansion through 2011.
Back in October, I met with the governor’s energy advisor, Deputy Secretary of Natural Resources, Maureen Matsen, to discuss what the McDonnell administration had been doing to promote offshore wind. During that conversation, I asked her if the Governor would make a symbolic gesture of his commitment to renewables by purchasing the RECs himself. Ultimately, he refused to make this commitment, so our members made it for him. CCAN supporters in Virginia chipped in $10 or more to purchase the RECs to demonstrate their support for clean energy sources like offshore wind.
As CCAN Executive Director Mike Tidwell, stated during his speech at the Governor’s mansion, “It’s time for Governor McDonell to take concrete action to bring offshore wind to Virginia.” The Governor should take unequivocal action of supporting a mandatory renewable portfolio standard (RPS). If he does not act quickly, Virginia could be left behind as other states prepare to move ahead with offshore wind.
Maureen Matsen was on hand for the delivery and you can see her back and forth with Mike here.
MTR-like surface mining increases in Western Maryland
We all know that Maryland gets almost 60% of its electricity from coal, but what many people don’t know is that lots of that coal is being extracted from western Maryland and that in the past decade the amount of environmentally destructive surface (or strip) mining has increased significantly. Continue reading
WIND VISION 2010: An Informative Success
This post was written by Ben Rivers, Freshman environmental science and policy major at the University of Maryland.
I came to Wind Vision 2010 to learn about wind power and Maryland’s wind industry. To my delight, everything from why Maryland should install offshore wind to the political battles being fought was presented, and consequently I feel as if I can speak knowledgeably about how this renewable source will be utilized.
The best speakers not only informed the audience, but also channeled the room’s considerable energy; Senator Paul Pinsky’s speech was motivational and Lester Brown’s closing remarks heartfelt. Together, their presentations called audience members to action and gave working to advance renewable energies a new validity. Mike Tidwell’s and Robert Mitchell’s remarks were possibly the most valuable, as they helped me understand basic information about the Mid-Atlantic Bight and Maryland’s wind resources. Continue reading
Renewable Energy and the Tax Cut Battle
As the Senate, the House, the White House, the Republicans and the Democrats hash it out over what to do about the expiring tax cuts, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, co-author of the CLEAR Act, is leading an effort to extend an also-expiring program that has played an important role over the last couple of years to build the renewable energy industry.
Unfortunately, in the compromise framework for a deal between the White House and Republicans, this program was not included. It should be, in whatever is finally voted on.
Senator Cantwell’s initiative is supported by Maryland Senator Ben Cardin and 25 other Senators. It has to do with the extension of the “Section 1603 Treasury Grant Program.” See the link here for more info: http://cantwell.senate.gov/news/record.cfm?id=328729
This program will expire at the end of this year. If it is not extended, it will be a “hit” on the renewable energy industry. In the words of a statement signed by the 26 U.S. Senators in support of extending this program, “Absent an extension of the TGP, the anticipated total financing available for renewables is expected to decrease by 56 percent in 2011.”
I’ve heard that Harry Reid has indicated support for trying to make this happen.
If you agree that this as an important issue, a possible win during the lame duck session, please reach out to U.S. Senators about this, as soon as you can.
What is the Call to Action on Climate?
For Marylanders it is for offshore wind power! Continue reading
New Era of U.S. Climate Leadership Starts Saturday
Years from now when historians look back for a turning point in America’s efforts to address the global climate crisis, they could very well point to 2011 as the year when it happened. This might seem counterintuitive after an election which saw a wave of climate-change deniers sweep into Congress, but that’s only if you’re looking for the leadership to come from Washington. If you consider the plans that are afoot right here in Maryland, it’s a different story altogether.
Without a doubt, a climate-denier controlled Congress likely closes the door on a federal climate bill for the next two years, but it certainly does not close the door on state legislation that could spur national-level action. A lack of federal leadership on climate change is hardly something new Continue reading
350 eARTh takes art to a new height
This week, 350.org takes on its latest endeavor — the first-ever art installation viewable from space! This project is also the world’s first global climate art project. At more than a dozen sites across the globe, citizens and artists will join forces to to create massive public art displays to show how climate change is already impacting our world as well as offer visions of how we can solve the crisis. Each art installation will be large enough to be seen from space and documented by satellites generously provided by DigitalGlobe.
350 EARTH will be the first-ever global scale group show on the front line of climate change
Eastern Mennonite University Installs Largest Solar Array in Virginia
It’s no secret that the prospects for passage of national energy and climate legislation during the 112th Congress. Continue reading
2,011 Mid-Atlantic Students to Power Shift!
Watch out Capitol Hill. A little over four months from now thousands of youth from across the country will once again descend on DC for POWER SHIFT! 
Power Shift 2007 and 2009 were huge successes and life changing for the attendees. Thousands of students left the conference empowered and inspired. We made headlines with the largest lobby day on a single issue in history. We showed that our generation cares about clean energy, healthy communities, and creating good green jobs. After the mid-term elections it is clear we still have work to do. We’re angry about corporate power, about climate deniers being in office, about our future being put at risk. Together we’ll create a Power Shift by coming together behind new campaigns, training one another, supporting community projects, and making our voices heard in Washington, DC at Power Shift 2011!
You heard it here first: the Mid-Atlantic region is bringing 2011 youth to Power Shift! Last night a dozen youth leaders converged over the phone for the first of many discussions on how to make that happen. Want to join the team? Sign up here.