What's New

Right now, America is failing to take advantage of our almost unlimited potential to generate electricity from renewable sources of energy like wind and solar power.   Fortunately, support for clean energy is on the rise as more and more people recognize the environmental and economic benefits of shifting away from fossil fuels.  23 states have already adopted renewable energy targets as high as 25 percent by 2020.

Building on the momentum of Maryland and other states, we are calling on Congress to support a national renewable electricity standard of 20 percent renewable energy by 2020.  By adopting this policy, Congress can help build a cleaner and more secure economy for America, while reducing global warming pollution and making the U.S. once again the world’s clean energy leader.

How You Can Help

We’re asking citizens to join us in calling on Congress to adopt a Renewable Electricity Standard that would require that utilities generate at least 20 percent of their electricity from clean, renewable sources by 2020. Click here to take action.

Brief Summary

We have only begun to scratch the surface of the potential renewable energy to meet our electricity needs. Maryland currently derives 96 percent of its energy from fossil fuel and nuclear power plants. We could gradually phase out our dirtiest and most dangerous generators by increasing the development of renewable energy sources. Twenty percent renewable energy by 2025 is a realistic target.

Maryland's electric utilities release 37 million tons of carbon dioxide and 1,500 pounds of mercury annually, along with deadly soot pollution and other toxins. Each summer high smog levels trigger 21,000 asthma attacks, send 360 children to the emergency room, and cut short the lives of 560 Marylanders. And no safe disposal method exists for radioactive materials from nuclear power plants like the Calvert Cliffs facility. Right next to that plant, 900 tons of high-level radioactive waste sits in temporary storage vessels.