Ricky Junquera, ricky.junquera@sierraclub.org
ANNAPOLIS, MD -- This week Maryland Governor Wes Moore announced plans to appoint Juan Alvarado, an official at the American Gas Association, to the state’s Public Service Commission. The surprise nomination of someone with close ties to the fossil fuel industry to a regulatory body tasked with overseeing utilities and energy companies–including member companies of the American Gas Association–ignited concerns about the Governor’s and Maryland’s commitment to achieving its climate goals.
In response the Director of Sierra Club’s Maryland Chapter, Josh Tulkin, released the following statement:
“We are excited to work with Governor Moore on his promises to the residents of Maryland that the state will generate 100% clean energy by 2030 and meet its commitments in reducing pollution–rising to meet the challenges of climate change, public health, and environmental justice driven by the burning of fossil fuels. Placing a leader from a gas association with a history of disinformation at the helm of the very agency charged with regulating the state’s gas utilities will jeopardize those promises.
“Mr. Alvarado is the wrong candidate for this job. The American Gas Association (AGA), his current employer, continues to perpetuate dangerous disinformation regarding the health and climate harms of gas, while actively undermining efforts to pursue cleaner alternatives. Appointing a fox to oversee the henhouse raises a lot of red flags, and Sierra Club is deeply concerned about this decision’s implications.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of 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.