Two of the leading clean energy/global warming groups in Maryland applauded Governor Ehrlich

***News Release***

 GROUPS APPLAUD GOVERNOR’S COMMITMENT TO RENEWABLE ENERGY, CALL FOR COMPREHENSIVE SUSTAINABLE ENERGY PLAN

For Immediate Release                                                                               
July 10, 2006
 
(SILVER SPRING, Md) – Two of the leading clean energy/global warming groups in Maryland applauded Governor Ehrlich’s stated commitment to renewable energy today, but called on the Governor to commit to concrete steps that can go into effect immediately. The Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN) and the Clean Energy Partnership (CEP) support the Governor’s call for greater reliance on clean, renewable energy.
 
“Governor Ehrlich has finally come to see what many of us have been saying for the past four years – that Maryland’s reliance on coal and other polluting forms of energy is dangerous for our security, our health and our quality of life,” said Gary Skulnik, Director of the Clean Energy Partnership. “Maryland needs to develop a sustainable energy plan now, before it’s too late to stop global warming.”
 
“Governor Ehrlich should endorse our ten point plan for a sustainable energy future,” said Mike Tidwell, Director of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network. “He also should declare here and now that he will oppose any efforts to build new coal-fired power plants in Maryland.”
 
CCAN and CEP issued their comprehensive sustainable energy plan on July 5, 2006:

1. Increase the Renewable Portfolio Standard to 15% by 2015 with a small carve-out for solar energy and the closing of some loopholes in the current law. Allow for the RPS to go to 25% by 2020 if feasible.
2.  Allow Municipal Aggregation
3. Require the utilities to invest at least $20 million a year total in a Public Benefits Fund that will offer financial and tax incentives to consumers who invest in energy efficiency.
4. Elevate the Maryland Energy Administration to a Cabinet level agency to give energy authorities the leverage they need to craft policy.
5. Create an Office of Clean Energy under the Maryland Energy Administration.
6. Invest in programs to educate Maryland consumers about energy efficiency, clean energy and the environmental impact of energy use.
7. Stream-line the process for permitting new renewable energy generators.
8. Allow state government to enter into long-term contracts of ten or more years for renewable energy.
9. Require state government to purchase at least 25% renewable energy.
10. Allow utilities to own generation plants if that generation plant is a renewable energy facility.

CONTACT:     
Gary Skulnik, CEP, 202-413-8534 (cell) or Mike Tidwell, CCAN, 240-460-5838 (cell)