In less than one week on Wednesday, January 11th, the Maryland General Assembly will begin its 2012 session. If reducing childhood asthma attacks, bringing back Maryland manufacturing, and solving our climate crisis are important to you, there will be one issue you’ll be watching above all others: offshore wind power.
And if offshore wind power is important to you, please join Marylanders from across the state at 10:30am next Wednesday to rally in front of the State House as legislators enter for the first time this year. Let’s show our leaders that we are expecting leadership on Maryland’s clean energy future. They’ve passed laws to develop renewable energy and reduce global warming pollution. Now it’s time to fulfill the promise of those laws and we’ll need offshore wind power to do it.
2011 was a year of great progress in this effort, thanks to so many volunteers. We came close to passing offshore wind legislation during the 2011 session, but some legislators wanted more time to study the issue. Since last session, we have not rested.
We passed the 10,000 petition mark in October, with a focus in the communities of legislators that sit on key committees. So many volunteers tabled farmers markets, attended community fairs, knocked on doors, petitioned in grocery store parking lots. When offshore wind becomes a reality for Maryland, it will be because of you.
In the autumn, we held six town hall events across the state for offshore wind power, educating citizens about the issue and gaining new supporters.
We sponsored a poll conducted by the well-respected Gonzales Marketing and Research Strategies, and found that 62% of Marylanders across the state support offshore wind development and are willing to pay a little more on their monthly electric bills to see the first Maryland offshore wind farm developed.
We were joined by many new organization and business leaders. Greater Washington Interfaith Power and Light joined to ramp up outreach to faith groups and the Economic Development and Training Institute, a small business incubator based in Prince George’s County, joined to ensure all Maryland businesses have the opportunity to participate in development. Furthermore, the Business Coalition for Maryland Offshore Wind was formed to unite Maryland businesses that could participate in development with major manufacturers and developers in the industry. Their first networking and information event is planned for later this month.
In short, 2011 prepared us for victory in 2012, but now it is about to truly be show time and we will need your help.
The governor has stated that offshore wind power will once again be part of his legislative package, which will likely be unveiled as usual later this month. Many advocates from a diverse array of backgrounds are going to be fighting for strong offshore wind legislation and everyone’s energy will be needed for success this year.
Please join us for our first rally. Make sure you call and visit your legislator. Stay in touch for canvassing events throughout the state. Get ready for more rallies. And get ready to win. This is the year that we’ll remember putting Maryland on the forefront of a new American industry. This is the year that Maryland takes another major step toward fulfilling its promises for healthier communities across the state.
