The last time the United Steelworkers and clean-energy activists descended on the Maryland State House on the same issue in 2008 they were going toe to toe, and the steelworkers managed to kill the global warming bill the clean energy activists were working on. But yesterday, when the old adversaries descended on the opening ceremonies of the 2011 Maryland General Assembly they stood arm in arm in support of Md. Governor Martin O’Malley’s forthcoming offshore wind energy bill.
The rationale for this unlikely but inspiring alliance is encapsulated in the slogan printed across the front of the bright-blue t-shirts we all sported at the statehouse yesterday: “Good Jobs, Clean Power”. The development of clean energy has long been touted as a dual solution to the economic and environmental woes facing the world today, and Maryland is a perfect case study of that promise with over 4000 jobs, and significant greenhouse-gas pollution reductions projected to accrue to the state if the Governor’s wind bill passes. For the steelworkers and clean-energy activists, the bill represents the quintessential win-win situation that makes for really successful political initiatives.
And it is little wonder then that over 40 clean energy activists and steelworkers took time off on a cold work day to take their message to their representatives in Annapolis. By being there and being visible they helped send a clear message to lawmakers that few issues are of such vital importance to Marylanders and their future this year than wind, and few constituencies are as politically energized this year as the blue-green offshore wind energy alliance. Indeed, the only other issue group that showed up in bigger numbers was the AFSCME union contingent fighting to keep their livelihoods in the face of government budget cutbacks.
It was an inspiring fist day to an historic session of the General Assembly, and it was topped off by the Governor’s fantastic announcement that he would introduce the wind legislation. Based on the day’s events it certainly would seem that former Greenpeace Director John Passacantando hit the nail on the head when he said at the December 4, 2010 citizen’s conference on offshore wind energy that Maryland is “the most promising state in the Union” when it comes to the climate and clean energy fight. What we do here in the coming months of the General Assembly could have national and international implications, which is why it is so vital that we maintain and grow the grassroots energy we brought to the statehouse yesterday.
Help us maintain that energy by joining our 1000 Megawatt Challenge, or helping us reach any of our grassroots campaign goals like collecting 10,000 petition signatures by mid-February.
