After 2 years of incredible work to clean up dangerously unhealthy air pollution from Maryland’s dirtiest coal-burning power generators, Sierra Club’s MD Beyond Coal Campaign is ready for our next challenge. Despite innumerable setbacks posed by a new administration biased toward the coal industry, we helped secure the retirement of a highly-polluting coal-burning unit at the Wagner plant near Baltimore and put significant pressure on all other plants across the state to clean up their act. We succeeded in putting the coal industry on-notice in 2015, and we sent a clear message that fossil fuels have no place in a healthy, prosperous future for Maryland.
The next phase of our campaign is an exciting new approach to cleaning up unhealthy, climate-changing pollution from Maryland's coal plants. Instead of simply saying "NO" to coal, our team of amazing Sierra Club volunteers and staff will be taking a big step toward the healthy environment, stable climate, and thriving economy we WANT to see. That means 100% clean energy. No more burning coal, gas, or waste for electricity and transportation.
The Sierra Club is leading this movement for 100% carbon-free electricity across the United States, helping businesses and communities save energy and money by choosing renewable power like wind and solar. We know that investing in new clean energy projects in the Northeast will deliver more stable electric bills and create family-supporting jobs right here at home, rather than buying costly, dirty, and dangerous fuels like coal, fracked gas, and oil.
Here in Maryland, progress toward those goals hinges on helping our state officials commit to a stronger Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI or “Reggie” for short). RGGI was formed in 2007 when Maryland joined a collaboration with 8 other Northeast states to put a price on carbon and collect revenue through carbon pollution permits to fund energy efficiency and renewable energy programs.
For the past seven years the RGGI states have worked together to set and achieve carbon pollution reductions from power plants, while generating billions of dollars in savings for consumers and thousands of new jobs for workers through energy efficiency and clean energy investment in communities throughout the region. Already, we have collectively decreased our energy-related CO2 emissions by 20 percent below 1990 levels, and Maryland alone has earned almost half a billion dollars for energy efficiency projects and ratepayer assistance from the program.
We have proven that the program works and major carbon pollution reductions are both feasible and economically beneficial. That’s why now is the time to double-down on this successful program and use it to transition our region to a renewable energy foundation once and for all while cleaning the air we breathe and boosting our economy in the process.
This year the RGGI Board of Directors will take up the process of setting updated carbon reduction goals through a quadrennial Program Review, with the next stakeholder meeting on February 2. Now is the perfect time to set ambitious yet achievable carbon reduction goals that put the US Northeast and Mid-Atlantic on track to lead on combating climate change and greatly improve our air quality. A goal that achieves 40% emissions reductions by 2030 is what we need, which is by no coincidence in line with Maryland’s own stated goal.
A recent report, entitled The RGGI Opportunity, details how investments in energy efficiency, electric vehicles, and renewable energy make the goal possible. Consumers and businesses will gain $5.2 billion in total energy savings and the program will create an average of nearly 50,000 new jobs in the region each year. These jobs come primarily in the renewable energy sector, and all the businesses that support it, with additional strong job growth through energy efficiency and upgrades to the region’s electricity grid. These jobs will be created within the region meaning that rather than sending dollars elsewhere for coal, oil and gas, states will be investing in local communities and local businesses to sustain economic growth.
"Cutting carbon pollution means increased opportunity for Americans to clean up their air and save money on their electric bills with wind power," said Andrew Gohn, Eastern Region Director of the American Wind Energy Association. "[The RGGI Opportunity] report shows that, not only can the RGGI states effectively rein in carbon pollution, but doing so expands the market for homegrown manufacturing and creates more well-paying jobs with benefits in renewable electricity."
Of course, there are challenges toward realizing the vision of providing affordable, reliable, and clean power for everyone. The fossil fuel industry is deeply entrenched in our economic system, and the transition to a better way will be met with powerful resistance.
That’s why thousands of Sierra Club members and supporters in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic are organizing a groundswell of support for a clean energy future that will overcome corporate polluters.
We need your help in Maryland to start this movement for cleaner air, a stable climate, and a healthier economy.
Will you join us?
Here are three campaign teams you can contribute to TODAY:
The Business Outreach Team is uniting Maryland's business community to support a stronger RGGI because investment in clean energy innovation and energy efficiency will help drive a thriving economy. Contact Charlie Skinner (cskinnec@gmail.com) to learn more.
The Sierra Club Community Outreach Team (SCOuTs) is connecting with communities in Baltimore and beyond through presentations and relationship building to share how they can save money at home through energy efficiency now while advocating for healthy air and a stable climate in the long haul. Contact Jennifer Kunze (jennifer.c.kunze@gmail.com) to find out more.
The Media Team is maintaining a "buzz" about RGGI in print, radio, and online media through letters to the editor, Op-Eds, and more. This is the perfect team to join for those who love to write and communicate but don't have lots of time for meetings. Contact Kevin Kriescher (kjkriescher@hotmail.com) to get involved.
Or email seth.bush@sierraclub.org with your own ideas or to find out more about the campaign in general.
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Read more abou The RGGI Opportunity Report: http://content.sierraclub.org/press-releases/2016/01/new-report-details-significant-economic-benefits-additional-carbon-reductions