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Sierra Club volunteers and staff welcome your participation in protecting Maryland's environment in 2018. The exciting winter legislative session is coming up; see our state priorities below and mark your calendar for the Summit and Lobby night. Local Sierrans will be holding January meetings where you can meet your new elected Sierra Club leadership or join us on a nature hike to appreciate the great outdoors. Wishing you Peace and Joy in the New Year!
New Year's Resolution #1: Get Active with the Sierra Club
HOW? Attend a Party for New Volunteers
WHEN: Saturday, December 30, 2-4 p.m.
- Learn about local, state, and national environmental issues
- Join one of our many campaign teams
- Meet Maryland Chapter leaders
Refreshments provided by your hosts, Sydney Jacobs and Pat Soffen
Sierra Club Announces Priority Bills for 2018 MD General Assembly
The Chapter Executive Committee is excited to announce four priorities for the upcoming 2018 session of the Maryland General Assembly. They are:
- Strengthen the Forest Conservation Act to protect Maryland's disappearing forests (see action alert below)
- Enact a statewide ban on foam products to rid the environment of this pernicious pollutant
- Provide dedicated funding for the metropolitan DC Metro system
- Improve the Public Service Commission's process regarding new gas infrastructure to ensure more informed review
Please see our Chapter website for detailed information about these priorities
Support for Important Clean Energy Legislation in Maryland 
The Maryland Sierra Club is supporting groundbreaking legislation in the 2018 session of the General Assembly to require that 100% of Maryland's electricity be purchased from clean renewable sources (principally wind and solar) by 2035. The crisis of our warming planet demands forceful, dramatic action by our state. This legislation also will bring to Maryland new jobs and economic development. Read more about this exciting bill.
Protect Maryland's Forests
If you haven't yet, please contact your state legislators to tell them how important forests are to our environment, economy, and way of life. Ask them to strengthen the Forest Conservation Act to protect our most valuable forests when they return to Annapolis in January. Send your legislator a message now!
Where does your Water Come From? Educational Forum a Success!
On 12/3/17, about 100 Marylanders gathered for a panel discussion about the impacts of development and stormwater runoff on the public water supply, the implications this has for future water rates, and how we can make growth smart enough to protect our water supply. We were also joined by candidates for Montgomery County Executive. Read more HERE!
Voice Your Opposition to the Proposed Potomac Pipeline
More than 300 locals turned out to the 12/19 hearing in Hancock, MD to ask MDE to deny the water permit for TransCanada's Eastern Panhandle Expansion Project. TransCanada's recent Keystone Pipeline spill raises concerns that our drinking water and public health are at risk from this pipeline that would boost fracking in nearby states.
Read more about the hearing and ask MDE to deny the permit.
Follow us on Social Media
  
Social media is vital to getting our environmental message out. Help us grow our following on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!
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 Ski locally or in Western Maryland or West Virginia as weather and snow conditions permit with Jack Wise, Greater Baltimore Group Outings Chair. Details and RSVP
Opening Day of Session Jan 10th
Help us kick off opening day of the 2018 General Assembly session, January 10, by joining Sierra Club volunteers & staff in Annapolis to distribute fact sheets on our top priority bills, as well as the always popular Sierra Club calendars, to all legislator offices. To volunteer, email Mark Posner Legislative Chair legislation@mdsierra.org
Addressing The Threat of Gas Infrastructure Monday January 8th 6:30 PM
The Southern Maryland Sierra Club, joined with collaborating community activists, are providing an education presentation to familiarize you with the billion-dollar fracked gas industry's development in Southern Maryland and the rest of the state. RSVP and Details Here.
Legislative Summit
Thursday January 18th 12:00 noon - 4:00 - 6:00 PM
Come to Annapolis for an informative afternoon with the Maryland environmental community! Attend a workshop from 12-3 pm and network with fellow advocates! Then from 4-6 pm hear from leaders & elected officials about Maryland's environmental legislative priorities. Our Keynote speaker will be Bob Perciasepe, former MDE Secretary and Deputy EPA Administrator. RSVP and Details Here
Montgomery Sierra Club Meeting Monday January 22nd 7:00 - 8:30 PM
Sit in on the Montgomery Group Executive Committee meeting and meet the newly elected 2018 leaders. RSVP and Details
Lobby Night Monday February 26th 4:30 - 8:00 PM
Each year, the Maryland Sierra Club hosts one of the biggest grassroots lobby events of the legislative session. Please sign up early for our 2018 Lobby Night! Come out to protect our forests, ban foam packaging, create more transparency around gas infrastructure proposals, and secure dedicated funding Metro so that the system continues to successfully serve millions of Marylanders! RSVP and Details
A Year for Maryland to Be Proud Of And How YOU Made It Happen  Did you miss our 2017 Year in Review? New Volunteers Anne O'Donnell and Savannah Acosta interviewed many to bring you a snapshot. Read it here.
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