Emily Pomilio, emily.pomilio@sierraclub.org, 480-286-0401
Annapolis, M.D.--The Maryland State Senate just passed the Clean Energy Jobs Act (CEJA). CEJA will accelerate the state’s Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (RPS) to 50% by 2030, provide millions of dollars to workforce development programs, and remove a subsidy that currently goes to polluting trash incinerators.
David Smedick, Campaign and Policy Director for the Maryland Chapter of the Sierra Club said the following about the passage:
“We applaud the Senate for it’s passage of the Clean Energy Jobs Act. Now it’s time for the House of Delegates to show the same leadership to combat climate change and pass the Clean Energy Jobs Act now. Maryland still has six large, polluting coal-fired power plants that contribute to climate disruption and the state’s continued failure to meet health-based air quality safeguards set by the Environmental Protection Agency. This bill will bring significant growth to the state’s clean energy economy helping us transition away from harmful fossil fuels like coal.
We’re excited the bill coming out of the Senate also removes the “clean energy” subsidy for burning trash -- trash incineration is not clean energy and does not belong in our renewable energy portfolio.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.