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Media Contact: Lesley Paredes, lesley.paredes-hernandez@sierraclub.org, (240) 424-0976;
300+ Community Members Demand Action from Elected Officials on Climate Programs to Benefit Low-Income Households
Silver Spring, MD – On December 5th, hundreds of Marylanders gathered in Montgomery County to urge state legislators and policymakers to redouble efforts to combat climate change and ensure that low-income households can reap more benefits from clean energy programs. Community members urged policymakers to commit to working on behalf of low-income communities as Maryland continues to address climate change.
“We gather tonight because of our shared values and vision. Our state has committed to some of the biggest and boldest climate goals in the country,” said Shehlla Khan, co-chair of People Acting Together in Howard (PATH), “goals that can help us address housing and health problems, especially in low-income communities.”
“Maryland can be a leader in the nation on moving away from fossil fuels while making sure all our residents benefit from clean energy,” said Rev. Tyrone P. Jones, IV, Lead Pastor of First Baptist Church of Guilford. “It’s going to take all of us – elected officials, business leaders, and everyday residents, to make sure we get there, and that everyone, regardless of income, benefits.”
“In Maryland, burning methane gas is harming all that has breath,” said Joelle Novey, Director of Interfaith Power & Light (DC.MD.NoVA). “Below ground, the pipes that bring gas to our homes leak methane, sometimes enough to risk an explosion — and trap more than 80 times as much heat as carbon dioxide, damaging our climate. Above ground, in our homes, burning gas indoors hurts the lungs and health of our loved ones, particularly the young and old. So tonight, we use our breath to speak out: for a safer, cleaner, and more efficient future where everything is powered by clean energy.”
Community members shared the results of NO2 testing in gas-burning kitchens, which shows that gas stoves emit high levels of respiratory pollutants, and personal testimonies about the importance of moving away from gas and other non-renewables.
“All of us, no matter which zip code we live in, or what color our skin is, should have access to clean air and clean water,” said Shruti Bhatnagar, Conservation Chair of the Maryland Sierra Club. “One thing I know for sure is that it’s going to take all of us – millions of us – advocating for change in our own way and there is no time to waste. We are engaging diverse communities in collaboration with our coalition partners to build the most powerful and effective environmental movement, because we believe that we are stronger together and to achieve environmental justice goals.”
A key focus for community members was to ensure that implementation of the federal Inflation Reduction Act and the state’s EmPOWER energy-efficiency program, as well as other climate-focused policies and programs, will benefit all Marylanders, especially low-income households and those living in multi-family apartment buildings. With the right implementation, these programs can improve energy efficiency, bring down energy costs and make homes healthier for families with lower incomes.
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The event was sponsored by a diverse set of community organizing entities and environmental groups: Action in Montgomery (AIM), Anne Arundel Connecting Together (ACT), People Acting Together in Howard (PATH), Interfaith Power & Light (DC.MD.NoVA) and Sierra Club Maryland. The event was also aligned with half a dozen “A Time to Build” actions across the country coordinated by Dayenu: A Jewish Call to Climate Action. “A Time to Build” events are centered around the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah and are aimed at collectively ensuring investments in climate, jobs, and justice reach every community – especially those that need them the most – without delay.