On 6/20, The Maryland Commission on Climate Change (MCCC) hosted a meeting where Governor Hogan’s Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) presented an overview of its draft Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act Plan (GGRA) but did not release the draft itself.  The release of  the draft plan is already six months overdue.Read our press release here.

Adding 4 lanes to I-495 and I-270 would increase the number of vehicles on our roadways that emit climate pollution. Write to the Maryland Climate Commission at climate.change@maryland.gov . Tell them they must rigorously scrutinize the highway plan for its impacts on Maryland's climate action plan.

Discuss and strategize around our coal community transition campaign on our MD Beyond Coal monthly call. Get updates on events and volunteer-led activities and opportunities to get involved, with time for Q&A and to hear your ideas. Info & RSVP  

At the end of April, Verso Corporation suddenly announced that it will end all paper production at its Luke Mill paper plant. The sudden announcement was not fair to the workers and community impacted and we need to support and better protect our workers, families, and communities. Read more here

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On 6/18/19, 62 Maryland legislators   released a letter publicly opposing Columbia Gas’ attempt to seize through eminent domain the MD State publicly owned right-of-way to build a highly controversial fracked-gas pipeline underneath the Western Maryland Rail/Trail. They also declared their support for the Department of Natural Resources’ defense against this lawsuit. Details & full coalition statement here.

We’ve seen progress on air quality in the state, but 88% of Marylanders live in Counties that are not meeting Clear Air Act standards for smog pollution. Smog is formed when pollution from coal plants and tailpipes mix with heat and sunlight, so it is more prevalent during hot summer days.  Sign up for air quality alerts to be the first to know if it’s a Code Orange or Red day in Maryland so you can better protect your lungs! 

Step up to Leadership as the new Maryland Chapter Political Action Committee Treasurer. If you are a meticulous person who would like to fill a key role to elect environmentally friendly candidates to public office, we need someone like you to keep us on the right side of political financing rules and reporting. Please contact Brian.Ditzler@mdsierra.org if interested!

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Call for Sierra Club Jamboree Committee Co-Chairs​

Every two years the Maryland Chapter of the Sierra Club hosts a very special weekend event where more than 100 leaders, staff, and members with their families come together to forge our shared vision for protecting the Earth, celebrate our accomplishments, participate in workshops, strategize future environmental actions, and have fun together on hikes and social activities. The 2019 Jamboree will be held October 11th -13th at Shepherds Spring Retreat Center INFO & RSVP. What we need now is fortwo Jamboree co-chairs to step up to convene and work with the Jamboree Committee.

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Learn about coal power’s impacts on Baltimore, and Sierra Club’s exciting new MD Coal Community Transition campaign.. Featured speakers State Delegate Robbyn Lewis and NAACP’S Joshua Harris. Info & RSVP

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Catoctin Mountain Park Hike Saturday June 29​

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Are you interested in playing a key role in expanding climate-friendly  public transit and supporting a coal community transition plan in Baltimore? If so, contact Lindsey Mendelson at transportation@mdsierra.org and Matt Dernoga at matt.dernoga@mdsierra.org to learn more about the campaign volunteer positions!

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Stretching from the Potomac River to Mattawoman Creek in Charles County, this park includes habitats ranging from flooded wetlands to dry sands, including 1000 acres of forest. Come explore with us!
 

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Increasingly, social media is a critical tool for the visibility, amplifying our priorities, and influencing community leaders and elected officials. Learn the basics from our Beyond Coal Representative Matt Dernoga, and how you can use these new skills be a part of our social media team.Info & RSVP

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Must Watch! What's the true nature of the chemical war with the ground, exposing our families and pets, washing off in our waterways, and affecting wildlife?  Info & RSVP here.

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Would you like to help an important citizen scientist project to determine migration patterns of Monarch Butterflies and possibly help conserve this amazing species?
Info here

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