Where’s the Energy in the Elections?

The recent primary elections in Maryland set a record for low voter turnout in some parts of the state. There’s a total lack of energy among voters. I hope that between now and November 2nd, things change for the better. Voter turnout will be the deciding factor in many races across the region. If the pro environment voters stays home, we may have a major post-election hangover on November 3rd. Good clean energy laws that make a real difference are not necessarily permanent. They are always at risk of being reversed.
So, how do we get the energy back in the election? First, we have to do our civic duty and become educated, informed voters. That means checking out what groups like the Maryland League of Conservation Voters have to say about candidates. They are non partisan and focus solely on environmental issues. If you see or talk to a candidate, ask him/her about clean energy and the environment. Donate money, if you can, to pro clean energy candidates. Once you’ve energized and educated yourself, get the word out to your friends and neighbors. Use Facebook. Use the phone. Volunteer to go door to door for your local candidate.
It’s so easy to fall into the cynical view that “all the bums are the same.” Yes, our system needs major reform to have our elected representatives better reflect the views of their constituents and not of the groups that fund their campaigns. But elections do matter when it comes to clean energy policy. We’ve made huge strides in Maryland and DC on clean energy and environmental legislation. Pennsylvania’s outgoing Governor has a record that matches the best of any other leader. But these gains can be easily reversed. To get to a cleaner, greener future, we need human energy from voters this November. Staying home is not an option.

Go (Green) Back to School

There’s a lot riding on the shoulders of the students in Maryland, DC, Delaware, Pennsylvania and the rest of the nation who are beginning a new school year. Sure, they have the usual academic and social challenges that have beguiled students over the years. But they have an added challenge – figuring out a way to get this nation to seriously fight global climate change. Their elders have failed them. The Congress has let yet another year go by without passing any kind of cap on carbon and the other greenhouse gases that cause climate change. The general public doesn’t seem to have any burning desire to actually solve the problem. It will likely take a new generation making a push to actually get anything done at the national level. That’s where the students come in.

Recycled paper and eco friendly school supplies only get you so far. The next step for students is to join their school’s green club. If the school doesn’t have one yet, form one. Every high school in the Mid Atlantic should have a green club. The green club should push students, teachers, and the school administration to adopt practices that reduce their carbon footprints, whether it’s switching to wind power, installing solar, getting more energy efficient, or other measures. That’s step one. Step two is to bring climate education into the curriculum. Green clubs can work with the Alliance for Climate Education (ACE) or other groups to do this. Step three is to have the green club act as a driving force to push for local or national legislation to cap and cut greenhouse gases. Students may be too young to vote, but they bring something that candidates for office need almost as much – energy, time, and a megaphone. Organized campaigns by green clubs can have an impact on how local politicians vote. I’m sure of it. Finally, step three is to unite forces. High school green clubs should work together to promote a common message and share resources. It’s far more effective that way.

Clean Currents will be doing our part to help these efforts. Our Green Neighborhood Challenge Two will have a special school division, so we can focus our efforts on supporting the work of green clubs. We are also going to partner with ACE to bring more serious climate education into the schools. We also want to act as a facilatator for green clubs working together, making sure best practices and messages are shared.

Young people have made a lot of changes in our history, it's time for them to step up again.

If you are, or you know a student going to High School this year, let us know how we can help. Simply email gogreen@cleancurrents.com.

A Simple Test for Green

Consumers who care about the environment are a prime target of green washing, fake "green" companies. This is no surprise. Environmentally conscious consumers are generally well educated and well off. They are a great target market and thus tempting to companies that might otherwise have no green interest (environmental "green," that is).

You have to do a little additional homework to separate the truly green companies from the green washers. I propose this simple three part test to figure out who talks "green" and who actually walks "green:"

1. Does the company only offer green products or is a green product part of a group of products, including polluting products?

Are they promoting "wind power" on the one hand, while selling massive amounts of coal or nuclear power on the other hand?

2. Are the company's operations certified as being sustainable by a legitimate third party entity, which performs an actual on-site audit?

For example, when Clean Currents got certified by Montgomery County Maryland's Department of Environmental Protection, we had auditors visit our office to ensure we are doing everything we claimed we were. Any kind of "green registry" that does not require a third party audit is worthless.

3. Does the company work with advocacy groups to support environmental legislation beyond legislation that would directly improve the company's business?

A solar company that advocates for increased solar incentives does not count. That's pure self interest. But companies like Clean Currents that push for broad legislation that reduces carbon emissions, or that cleans up the Bay make a real difference beyond their immediate self interest.

So, if a company claims they are sustainable on their web site, ask them for proof. If they say they donate money to non profits, or support planting trees or something like that, tell them that's not enough. Even Exxon Mobil donates to charities like that. The true test is what are they doing to change the laws of this nation (or of their home states or cities)? Voluntary green actions are great, and they are important in terms of making a difference. Environmental consumers have the power to change the way business is done, to ensure that every company becomes a true green minded entity instead of a green washer trying to make a quick buck on the latest fad. By purchasing products only from green companies that pass the simple green test, you are ensuring that there will be a growing industry of truly green businesses that protect the planet while protecting their bottom line.

Pennsylvania’s Future Could Be Sunny - Act Now

The Pennsylvania legislature is considering a bill (HB 2405) that would dramatically increase the amount of solar in the state, plus provide new demand for clean, renewable wind power. If passed, this legislation will once again cement the Keystone state as a national clean energy leader. Clean Currents is proud to be supporting this vital bill.

The bill would increase the percentage of energy that must be produced by solar energy in the state six-fold, creating enough solar energy to power more than 400,000 homes. It would practically double the amount of energy coming from wind power or clean biomass. It would also provide additional consumer protections and extend the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard (AEPS) out until 2024.

Importantly, this is a bi-partisan effort. Clean energy should not be held hostage to politics, and it’s good to see that in Pennsylvania there is support from both sides of the aisle.
The fate of the bill is uncertain, however. So, if you live in Pennsylvania, please take action immediately!

Click here to go to Penn Future’s web page and contact your legislator. Ask them to support HB 2405, for a cleaner, greener future in Pennsylvania.

Clean Currents is proud to be offering wind power for homes and businesses now in Pennsylvania. We would be even more interested in opening an office for solar energy installation if this bill passes.

Victory on Carbon in Montgomery County

Victory in Montgomery County

Just as I was starting to sour on the elected leadership of Montgomery County, Maryland, they once again show that when it comes to progressive environmental laws, there's no place like it in the nation. Under the leadership of Roger Berliner, the County Council adopted the first (I believe) carbon tax in the U.S. The tax effects the one large carbon polluter in the county, the Dickerson coal fired power plant owned by Mirant. It is a modest tax, only expected to raise $7.5 to $15 million a year from Mirant. However, in this age of deficits and government spending cuts, this is a welcome piece of new revenue for the county to use to support clean energy and energy efficiency programs.

Though this is progressive Montgomery County, the vote on this bill was not easy. I was proud to come out in support of the bill and to lobby for it, but unfortunately, on the day of the hearings, Americans for Prosperity, a group funded by one of the biggest oil barons in the nation, as well as Exxon and others, showed up. And let me put this simply - they were not in a mood to discuss the pros and cons of the bill. They came to disrupt, to shout, and to scare our elected leaders into submission. I had come to politely give my support for the Carbon Tax bill and was shocked to find myself in the midst of a tea party mob of 100 people or so. The good guys only numbered a handful, among them Keith and the CCAN crew, Amanda from Clean Currents, and Fred Teal, super star Green Neighborhood leader for Clean Currents.

I almost lost my temper when they started cat-calling and disrupting the testimony of my good friend and climate hero, Mike Tidwell, Director of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network. Luckily, Mike kept his cool as he explained how Mirant has repeatedly violated environmental rules, fights new environmental legislation, and is contributing significantly to climate change. I was never more proud.

Then, Council Members George Leventhal and Roger Berliner spoke, and they demonstrated the exact right way to handle these flat-earther tea party types. They didn't back down, apologize, or go quietly behind closed doors to express their views. Instead, they took the Mirant company official who testified out to the proverbial woodshed. They got Mirant to admit that climate change is real, is caused by man, and must be addressed (unlike the Mirant supporters and various morons in the audience who were shouting that climate change is a hoax). They got Mirant to admit that the energy that the coal plant produces doesn't even serve Montgomery County (we just get the pollution). Finally, Roger Berliner asked how Mirant could afford to pump $500 million into upgrades at the plant (forced to do so against their will, by the passage of the Healthy Air Act), but would shut down over a $7.5 to $15 million tax. The Mirant guy said that if the tax were added to the costs of the plant's operations, the plant would not be profitable (are you listening Wall Street?). Either he is stretching the truth or this is the most unprofitable coal plant in the history of the world. Most coal plants like this are gold mines for their owners.

If this Carbon Tax stands, it will serve as a model for other towns, cities, counties and places to fight climate change, promote clean energy, and bring in new revenue. Of course, a Federal effort would be better, but if we can't get a bill done with 59 or 60 Democrats in control of the Senate, we'll never get one. We need to do this from the ground up.

My hope is that the County will now fund its award winning Clean Energy Rewards program again, plus other worthy clean energy/energy efficiency programs. Way to go MoCo!

It's About the Spill, Stupid

Today's blog is about as simple as it gets.

No more oil drilling off our coasts - the consequences of an accident, even just one, are too monumental.

Off to the Races - Who are the Green Candidates?

With the end of the Maryland General Assembly Session, and the primaries just around the corner, politicians are scrambling in earnest to get their campaigns for office in high gear. We have many exciting races, from Cheryl Kagan and Roger Manno running for Senate in Montgomery County, to exciting races for state Delegate. The District of Columbia also will have a heated primary at the Mayoral and Council levels. We can expect the candidates to tout their environmental, or "green" credentials, whether they are first time candidates or running for re-election. It is the responsibility of each of us to fully understand the truth behind the green claims made by the candidates.

Many green-minded voters look at two things when deciding on a candidate - endorsements by green organizations (CCAN, Sierra Club, LCV), and, if they are an incumbent, their League of Conservation Voters (LCV) scorecard. Unfortunately, if you don't know the context of these items, they can possibly mislead you about the environmental credentials of a candidate.

Endorsements - I have had the honor of participating in the process of environmental endorsements in Maryland. I know it's a serious, tough process. There is a lot of weight given to incumbency. Basically, if an incumbent has a good record (ie. good LCV scorecard), he/she will likely get the endorsement, even if the challenger is an incredible grassroots environmental activist. It makes sense. You want to be able to reward people for voting the right way on environmental issues. However, as a voter, you don't have to do that. You can vote for the candidate that you think will be best on the environment, regardless of whether one is the incumbent or not.

Additionally, the issues that determine if someone is "good" on the environment or not are kind of subjective. In other words, unless someone is good on every single issue, and by the way - those issues did not have opposing viewpoints within the environmental community, the people who decide endorsements must weigh which issues count more than others. There are a host of environmental issues, from climate change, to clean energy, air pollution, stormwater management, water quality, toxins, land use, etc.

LCV Scorecard - The scorecard, like the endorsements is also somewhat subjective. Because I've walked the halls of Annapolis, I know that someone can have a 90% or even a 100% voting record and not be worth voting for. How is that? Because not all votes are the same. There are "easy" votes and "hard" votes. For example, the Democrats are a large majority in both the Maryland House and Senate. If you are a Democratic official, and your leadership in the House or Senate supports a bill, and it gets out of committee, it is not that hard of a vote to take in support of the bill. If you're from Montgomery County, it's even easier. In Maryland, the harder votes tend to come in committee, where bills live or die. Typically, if a bill gets out of committee, it passes the full chamber.

LCV does not score every environmental bill that comes up for a vote, either. It only scores the one that a handful of environmental groups have agreed are worthy of scoring. Again, if there is some disagreement about a bill, it usually will not get scored.

The point I'm making is that I support the environmental endorsement process, and I think the LCV scorecard is very useful. But to be an educated environmental voter, you need to look further in depth into the process. You need to figure out what were the truly hard votes and which were easy. You need to determine which candidate demonstrates leadership and not just voting the right way. It's a lot of work, but then again, the environment is worth it.

Clean Currents will be keeping track of the races in our neck of the woods - mainly Montgomery County. We will be happy to let you know which candidates truly support green energy and green jobs, and which ones don't. Stay tuned.