On Earth Day 2010, I salute Councilmember Roger Berliner for proposing one of America Continue reading
CCAN Director Honored to Receive '40 Environmentalists in 40 Years' Tribute
To mark the 40th anniversary of Earth Day 1970, the Montgomery County Council today named CCAN director Mike Tidwell as one of the County’s top 40 environmental leaders over the past 40 years. Continue reading
CCAN Statement on Offshore Drilling Plan
President Obama announced today a proposal to open vast expanses of water along the Atlantic coastline, including Virginia, to oil and natural gas drilling – a move that will do next to nothing to increase Virginia’s oil supplies but will further American dependence on dirty energy sources while putting the surrounding coasts, fisheries and tourism industry in danger. Continue reading
In Lead-Up to Earth Day, Virginians Ask Sen. Webb to Help Author Climate Bill
Top environmental leaders gathered on the U.S. Capitol steps today to launch “40 days of action” before next month’s 40th-anniversary Earth Day celebration. Virginia activists, meanwhile, held up an oversized pen and asked Senator Jim Webb – an accomplished author – to help write legislation to solve global warming and enhance America’s national security. Continue reading
Record Snow Storms Prompt Maryland Bill to Prepare for Emergencies Fueled by Climate Change
A Maryland State Senator today unveiled a bill that would quantify the economic harm inflicted on Maryland by this winter’s weird weather and prepare the state for future storms related to climate change. The bill is considered the first legislative proposal of its kind from a state hit hard by the “snowmaggedon” storms this year along the east coast. Continue reading
Senate Committee Votes Against 10,000 New Jobs for Virginia
The Senate Commerce and Labor Committee today rejected Senate Bill 71, the “Virginia Jobs and Efficiency Act” patroned by Senator Donald McEachin. The legislation would have held utilities accountable for cutting energy waste through set efficiency standards, creating jobs in Virginia, saving families and businesses money and cutting pollution linked to global warming. Continue reading
Coal Plant Foes Undeterred by Dendron Town Vote Approving ODEC Plans
Following a series of close votes by the Dendron Town Council last night approving zoning changes for Old Dominion Electric Cooperative’s proposed coal-fired power plant, the Wise Energy for Virginia Coalition vowed to continue fighting plans for what would be the largest coal-fired power plant in Virginia, and one of the top polluters in the state. Continue reading
New Economic Report Shows Few Jobs From Proposed coal Plant in Surry County Would Go To Local Residents
At a public hearing tonight, the Dendron Town Council will receive the first publicly available analysis of the economic impacts that Old Dominion Electric Cooperative’s proposed coal-fired power plant would have on Dendron and Surry County. Among other things, the report estimates that, during the peak construction year, only three jobs would go to current Dendron residents and Surry County residents would get only 14% of the construction jobs. Continue reading
Hundreds of Local Climate Activists Brave Icy Water in Fifth Annual "Polar Bear Plunge"
Hundreds of Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. residents plunged into an icy Chesapeake Bay today to express their alarm over the rapid advance of global warming, and to highlight their demand for action at the state and federal levels. Continue reading
Environmental Groups Applaud State for Taking Enforcement Action Against Coal Ash Landfill
Environmental groups announced their support today for the Maryland Department of the Environment’s decision to take enforcement action against Mirant MD Ash Management, LLC and Mirant Mid-Atlantic, LLC for violations of the federal Clean Water Act and state law at the Brandywine coal ash landfill. The groups include the Environmental Integrity Project (EIP), Defenders of Wildlife, Sierra Club, Chesapeake Climate Action Network, and the Patuxent Riverkeeper. Continue reading