Twenty Influential Virginia Groups Warn of Disaster If FEMA Is Dissolved in Letter Delivered to Governor Youngkin

Groups Highlight Risks to Virginia and Urge Youngkin to Use His Seat on FEMA Review Council to Defend Federal Disaster Aid

RICHMOND, VA— In a unified call to action, 20 Virginia advocacy organizations, including the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, delivered a letter today urging Governor Glenn Youngkin to defend and strengthen the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as the Trump Administration considers dismantling it. The coalition, representing housing, climate, conservation, and mutual aid groups, pressed Youngkin to use his influential seat on the FEMA Review Council to oppose any efforts to dissolve the agency amid escalating climate disasters. 

READ THE LETTER IN FULL HERE

The letter reminds Governor Youngkin that the scale and intensity of climate disasters are increasing, with skyrocketing costs accompanying the urgency for resilient systems and infrastructure. Additionally, it reminds him that Virginia has depended on FEMA for support during his term as governor. While Governor Youngkin suggested that Virginia could handle the costs of any extreme disaster without federal support, Virginia’s US Senator Mark Warner has expressed deep concerns that a major disaster matching the scale of 2024’s devastating Hurricane Helene could bankrupt the state if federal support is not available. 

The Trump Administration’s proposal to scrap FEMA, including the recent cancellation of the Building Resilient Infrastructure Community program, has sparked alarm among state and local leaders. That program alone brought millions of dollars in investments to Virginia cities that would have directly benefited communities and their property. 

The FEMA Review Council is set to release a report of its recommended changes to FEMA this fall, including the possibility of dissolving FEMA entirely. This moment marks a crucial opportunity for Virginians to advocate for guaranteed federal disaster relief in the age of climate change-fueled record-breaking weather events. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reported that 2023 saw an unprecedented total of 2028 multi-billion-dollar disasters. NOAA’s Chief Scientist at the time remarked that 2023 was likely “the warmest year on record for the planet” and that the high marked the latest in weather extremes that will persist as climate change accelerates. 

“Governor Youngkin, now is the time to lead,” said Gabby Walton, Federal Campaigns Associate for the Chesapeake Climate Action Network. “Stand up for every Virginian and publicly commit to strengthening FEMA and federal disaster relief. With Virginians facing record-breaking disasters due to climate change and the real threat of losing vital federal support, we cannot afford political gamesmanship with our safety and future. We urge you to use your seat on the FEMA Review Council to reject any plan to dismantle FEMA and to fight for the resources our communities need to survive and recover.”

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Chesapeake Climate Action Network is the first grassroots organization dedicated exclusively to raising awareness about the impacts and solutions associated with global warming in the Chesapeake Bay region. Founded in 2002, CCAN has been at the center of the fight for clean energy and wise climate policy in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC.

Community Victory: Chesapeake City Council Denies Major Rezoning, Rejects Data Center and Virginia Natural Gas’s Compressor Station 

Council vote marks major win for environmental justice and public health as city rejects plans to locate polluting facilities in vulnerable neighborhoods

CHESAPEAKE, VA – In a landmark decision for environmental justice and community health, the Chesapeake City Council voted Tuesday night to deny a sweeping rezoning request from Virginia Natural Gas (VNG) that would have converted VNG properties to industrial use, paving the way for more polluting industry in the area. This decisive rejection is a major win for residents and a clear rebuke of the proposed compressor station, which would have posed serious risks to local residential neighborhoods. The vote follows a concerted advocacy campaign from Eva Gardens and Crestwood civic leagues, Chesapeake residents, and environmental groups, who raised urgent concerns about pollution, safety, and the disproportionate burden placed on already disadvantaged communities.

The proposed Chesapeake Compressor Station would have pumped gas through multiple pipelines – such as the Virginia Reliability Pipeline and the Southside Connector Pipeline– threatening neighborhoods including Georgetown, Gilmerton, Crestwood, Eva Gardens, Belvin Heights, and the Westover Trailer Mobile community. Georgetown residents have tirelessly advocated against the Southside Connector pipeline, raising concerns about pollution, safety, and the disproportionate burden placed on already disadvantaged communities. 

Compressor stations are known sources of air pollutants and greenhouse gases — including methane, volatile organic compounds, and carcinogens like benzene — that degrade air quality, harm health, and contribute to climate change. The constant noise and risk of leaks, fires, or explosions make these facilities especially dangerous in densely populated or vulnerable communities. Tuesday night’s meeting also saw the council chambers packed with community members who spoke out forcefully against the first large data center in Hampton Roads, citing concerns about environmental impacts and threats to local quality of life. Residents made it clear that they do not want their neighborhoods to become dumping grounds for a “dirty data center” that fuels climate change without requirements to run on clean energy. 

Tuesday’s vote is a resounding affirmation of the community’s right to clean air, safety, and meaningful participation in decisions that affect their future. As environmental protections are under attack, the city council’s decision shows local leaders are listening to residents and prioritizing environmental justice and the health and well-being of our communities. 

In reaction to the City Council decision, Chesapeake residents and advocates released the following statements:

“This is a win for humanity, health, environmental justice, and a prosperous life for generations to come,” said Joseph Davis, Eva Gardens Civic League’s President. “This will allow our community to avoid exposure to daily toxic pollutants, noise, and volatile organic compounds that lower air quality, which are linked to asthma, heart disease, diabetes, lung disease (COPD), and cancer. By voting down the compressor project and the M1 light industry application, we would not add any more toxic pollutants and chemical dispersion within our communities, daycares, and schools. I was happy to see City Council Members value their citizens’ humanity, health, and well-being for long lives.”

“As a resident of Eva Gardens, I am happy that the city council acknowledged the possible dangers associated with VNG’s request and voted against their hazardous proposal,” said Sarah Eason Williams, Resident of Eva Gardens. “Research clearly shows the harmful effects of compressor stations on the environment and human health. The neighborhood owes a debt of gratitude to the diligent efforts of Mr. Joseph and Mrs. Cheryl Davis, the leaders of our civic league, as well as others who were in attendance.”

“The Chesapeake City Council heard the people and delivered a win for generations when they denied Virginia Natural Gas’ rezoning application to build two compressor units in the city that would disproportionately impact marginalized communities. The value of this victory cannot be overstated since it was crucial to the buildout of the Virginia Reliability Project (a massive fracked gas pipeline), essentially rendering the pipeline project dead,” said Lynn Godfrey, Environmental Justice Community Leader. 

“The city council’s decision to reject the compressor station and data center sends a clear message: no community should be a sacrifice zone for polluting industries,” said Leianis Gunn, Hampton Roads Organizer at Chesapeake Climate Action Network. “This victory belongs to the people of Chesapeake who stood up for their health, safety, and future. Environmental justice means no single neighborhood bears more than its share of pollution. Chesapeake took a bold step towards that vision.”

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Chesapeake Climate Action Network is the first grassroots organization dedicated exclusively to raising awareness about the impacts and solutions associated with global warming in the Chesapeake Bay region. Founded in 2002, CCAN has been at the center of the fight for clean energy and wise climate policy in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC.

Pollution from the U.S. Paper Industry is Vastly Under-Reported, New Study Reveals

Report Documents 3X Reported Greenhouse Gas Pollution, Air and Water Contamination, Including in Virginia

For a copy of the report, click here.

Richmond, VA – Climate-warming pollution from the U.S. paper industry is vastly under-reported because of exemptions in federal rules and worsened by badly outdated industrial equipment, with some – including in Virginia — dating back to World War II or earlier and burning dirty fuels like coal, tires, and wood, according to a new report by the Environmental Integrity Project, “A Paper Trail of Pollution.”  

Among the worst polluters listed in the report is the 126-year-old Smurfit Westrock paper mill in Covington, Virginia, north of Roanoke, which uses a boiler built in 1940 and reported releasing 970,084 metric tons of greenhouse gases in 2023, the most of any U.S. paper mill. In reality, the mill emitted about 2.5 times that amount — but EPA did not count 1.5 million tons because of a loophole for pollution from the burning of wood and other “biogenic” material. The plant inspires numerous complaints from local residents for its rotten egg odors, soot and dust, and for fouling the Jackson River with pollution. 

“Pollution from industrial factories burning trees is an under-counted source of climate-warming pollution,” said Victoria Higgins, the Virginia Director of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network. “In order to deliver on the promise of clean air and a stable climate in Virginia, we need to ensure facilities like the more than century-old Smurfit Westrock mill are moving to cleaner energy sources.”

Jen Duggan, Executive Director of the Environmental Integrity Project, said: “Even in the digital age, we need paper products. But there is no reason a clean sheet of paper needs to be made with dirty fuels and antiquated methods. The American paper industry should modernize these plants to use cleaner and more efficient power systems and increase recycling to reduce climate pollution and protect the health of nearby communities. And this industry should not be allowed to hide its climate pollution.”

For the report, researchers examined the 185 largest pulp and paper mills in the U.S. – including 10 in Virginia — and found that almost three quarters of them have outdated heating systems called boilers, which tend to be less efficient and release more pollution than newer ones. The average boiler dates back to President Reagan’s first term, when rotary-dial telephones were still a widely-used technology. 

About half of the facilities (90 of the 185) reported burning a high-polluting wood waste product called “black liquor,” and 38 of the mills reported burning other dirty fuels, including coal, tires, or an oil refinery waste product called petroleum coke.

Over a period of more than six months, a team of researchers at EIP examined thousands of pages of public records on the 185 largest pulp and paper mills in the U.S., studied online data, and visited paper mills in three states. 

The report finds:

  • The average age of an industrial boiler at the 185 pulp and paper mills examined was 41 years, with the oldest installed nearly a century ago — in 1928 – at a plant now called Nippon Dynawave Packaging in Longview, WA. Although experts say that boilers should be replaced after about 15 years, more than 40 percent of the mills studied (77 out of the 185) had at least one boiler that was a half-century old or more.
  • In 2023, the 185 large paper industry mills in the U.S. reported a total of 33.2 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions to EPA. However, this was less than a third of the actual greenhouse gases from these plants (115 million tons) because EPA allows industry to subtract the amount that came from burning “biogenic” fuels like wood and wood byproducts like black liquor. The questionable rationale for this reporting loophole is that carbon dioxide emissions from burning trees should not count when this pollution is emitted because trees can grow back in the future. 
  • Pulp and paper mills are among the largest sources of hydrogen sulfide air pollution in the U.S., with six of the 10 largest single industrial emitters of this pollutant reporting to EPA in 2023 coming from the paper industry. Ninety plants in 2023 reported emitting a total of eight million pounds of hydrogen sulfide, a chemical compound produced in the pulping process that smells like cabbage or rotten eggs that can irritate the eyes and lungs and trigger headaches and nausea. Almost half of that pollution came from the top 12 plants. (See list of worst polluters at bottom).
  • A third of the plants examined (63 of the 185) had an air pollution violation in the last three years, according to EPA data. State or federal agencies brought 267 air pollution enforcement actions against 95 plants in the last five years and issued $7.4 million in environmental penalties.
  • About half of the pulp and paper mills (90 of the 185 studied) burned black liquor and 85 reported burning wood, releasing large amounts of air pollution, including particulate matter, carbon dioxide, and sulfur dioxide. In addition to burning this “biomass,” pulp and paper mills rely on a wide array of fossil fuels and waste products. In total, 38 mills reported burning coal, tires, waste oil, fuel oil, or petroleum coke. 
  • In 2020, the 185 paper mills EIP examined reported emitting a total of 46,095 tons of sulfur dioxide (SO2), a pollutant that can contribute to heart and lung damage and premature death. Yet some mills lack basic pollution control devices – including scrubbers – that can curtail emissions of sulfur dioxide and hydrogen sulfide.

The report includes three local case studies – in Virginia, Washington State and South Carolina – that detail how pollution problems at paper mills harm the quality of life in local communities, including through hydrogen sulfide emissions.

VIRGINIA: The Smurfit Westrock paper mill in Covington, Virginia, north of Roanoke, was the No. 1 emitter of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, among large paper mills in 2023 (releasing 214,755 metric tons); and the third biggest emitter of hydrochloric acid (releasing 170,000 pounds) that year, according to EPA records.

State records show at least a dozen incidents over the last five years of people reporting the mill dumping black liquor or other dark-colored or murky fluids into the Jackson River, a tributary to the James River and the Chesapeake Bay.  One of those complaints, filed on November 7, 2022, was headlined: “Polluted Water Destroying the Upper James River Fishery.” But the complaint was quickly dismissed by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, state records show.

WASHINGTON: The Port Townsend Paper Company’s paper mill north of Seattle has been in violation of the Clean Air Act for 12 of the last 12 quarters, including for releasing hazardous air pollutants, soot, and nitrogen oxides. The plant has been hit with five air pollution enforcement actions and 23 violation notices over the last five years, but only $63,750 in penalties.

Some local residents are concerned about their health, because a federal study in 2024 found that breathing the sulfur compounds in the air near the mill could contribute to lung disease or irritation. Advocates are urging state regulators for a stronger water pollution control permit and better enforcement, with the plant having six water pollution violations in the last five years that triggered enforcement actions.

SOUTH CAROLINA: New-Indy Containerboard, a paper and pulp mill in Catawba, has an antiquated boiler system that dates back to the Eisenhower Administration. Local residents have filed nearly 50,000 odor complaints about the mill’s pollution since it was acquired for roughly $300 million in 2018 by an investment group led by Robert Kraft, the billionaire owner of the New England Patriots football team.

In 2023, the New-Indy plant was the worst polluter in the nation for mercury and zinc air pollution among the 185 pulp and paper mills studied for this report. Mercury can damage the brain, and zinc can cause lung irritation and fever.

To reduce air and climate-warming pollution from pulp and paper mills across the U.S., the report makes the following recommendations:

  1. Pulp and paper mills should switch to cleaner fuels and replace outdated boilers with zero-emission industrial heat technologies. The 185 mills in this report often rely on outdated boilers — averaging more than four decades old — and an array of dirty fuels, including coal, tires, petroleum coke, waste oil, wood, and black liquor. Mills should update their equipment, switch to cleaner fuels, and install modern technologies like industrial heat pumps.
  2. The paper industry should continue the shift toward using more recycled paper. Using virgin wood to make pulp and paper is considerably more damaging to the environment than using recycled paper. Manufacturing a ton of cardboard from recycled paper requires no new wood, about half the energy, 32 percent less water, and creates about a quarter of the climate-warming emissions compared to making cardboard from wood.
  3. States and EPA should set more stringent pollution limits and vigorously enforce the limits that exist. By ratcheting down pollution limits, states and the EPA can incentivize paper mills to invest in more efficient, cleaner technologies. 
  4. The pulp and paper industry should accurately account for the greenhouse gas emissions from burning wood and black liquor. The industry’s greenhouse gas pollution is grossly underestimated because EPA has allowed it to exclude emissions that came from burning “biogenic” fuels like wood and wood byproducts like black liquor. EPA must improve the accuracy of its greenhouse gas reporting program, while also protecting the program from elimination by the Trump Administration.

For a copy of the report, click here.

For a copy of a spreadsheet with detailed pollution, fuel source, boiler age, and environmental law compliance data on the 185 facilities studied, click here.

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The Environmental Integrity Project is America’s environmental watchdog. We hold polluters and governments accountable to protect public health and the environment.

We’ve Stopped Pipelines Before, Let’s Do It Again: Join the Fight Against the Dangerous MVP Southgate Extension

A blog by Kidest, CCAN’s Virginia Communications Manager

Kidest at MVP Rally in 2021 (second row, third person from right), photo courtesy of Will Kerner Photography

My journey as a Virginia climate activist began as a college intern in the fight against the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, a battle we won, proving that community power can defeat even the most well-funded fossil fuel interests. That victory taught me that Virginians can defeat giant corporations that seek to pollute our communities, and I’ve found my people.

Since then, I’ve witnessed the defeat of the polluting Chickahominy gas plant and stood shoulder-to-shoulder with neighbors as we organized against the Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) Southgate extension. When the first permit for Southgate was denied in 2021, it felt like another victory for the people and the planet. But with new natural gas pipelines being proposed across Virginia, the pressure on our communities and environment is only increasing. The fight is far from over, we need to act now – together!

A Dangerous Pipeline, A Bad Deal Repackaged

The MVP Southgate extension is a proposed 31-mile natural gas pipeline that would snake from Pittsylvania County, Virginia, into Rockingham County, North Carolina. The developers claim it’s necessary to meet “growing public need” for natural gas, touting contracts with Duke Energy and PSNC Energy. But as someone who’s seen these justifications before, I know this is not about meeting real community needs, but about locking our region into decades of fossil fuel dependence.

Community Resistance to the MVP on the Pipeline Route, photo courtesy of Appalachians Against Pipelines

Right now, the Southgate extension is undergoing a crucial permit application review, and your voice is needed! The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has opened a 30-day public comment period, ending May 30, 2025, for MVP Southgate’s request for a Clean Water Act permit. This permit would allow the pipeline to negatively affect our streams and wetlands, which our communities depend on in both Virginia and North Carolina.

Join us in advocating against this dangerous pipeline and submit comments to the US Army Corps of Engineers in opposition to the project using the how to guide here. 

The pipeline’s original plan was even more destructive, spanning 75 miles and requiring a massive compressor station in a predominantly Black community near Chatham, Virginia. In 2021, the Chatham community stood up to oppose the toxic pollutants that would have come from the then-proposed Lambert Compressor Station, leading the Virginia Air Pollution Board to reject an air permit based on environmental justice concerns. This win, however, was sadly short-lived. In 2023, MVP submitted a new project plan that doesn’t include the Lambert Compressor Station. The new plan now has a shorter route and a wider pipe, but these tweaks do not reduce the threat to our communities and our environment. 

MVP’s Track record: Community Harm and Environmental Destruction

MVP’s track record is a warning. Construction of the main pipeline has already destroyed forests, seized private property, and violated water regulations hundreds of times. The MVP Southgate extension brings more concerns about the possibility of repeated environmental violations. Erosion from construction threatens groundwater and private wells, which are vital in our rural communities. Even worse, the risk of pipeline toxic leaks and explosions puts homes and lives in danger within a half-mile of the pipeline route. 

These are not just hypothetical risks. MVP’s mainline has racked up over 350 water quality violations, many affecting rivers and streams that supply drinking water. The pipeline also turns communities, often Black, Indigenous, and low-income, into “sacrifice zones”, bearing the brunt of pollution and health risks from fossil fuel infrastructure. 

People-Powered Organizing & Community Resistance Defeated Southgate Before

Rally in Richmond to Stop MVP and Manchin’s Dirty Deal June 2023

The denial of the first MVP Southgate extension air permit in 2021 was no accident, it was the result of relentless organizing by Pittsylvania residents and Virginians advocating for healthier communities. Just last month, thousands of Virginians submitted comments to our Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) opposing the project. In fact, our lawmakers have also recognized MVP’s history of violations and safety issues. 

I’ve seen what’s possible when we come together, we’ve stopped pipelines before, and we can do it again! We have the opportunity to speak out and refuse to let our state become a dumping ground for fossil fuel interests. Your comments will help determine if a public hearing is needed and whether this project serves our communities and the public interest.

Join us and submit a comment to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, urging them to deny the Section 404 permit for the MVP Southgate extension. You can access our comment guide here. 

Click Here for Instructions on How to Submit a Comment!

About the author: Kidest is a communications strategist, storyteller, and environmental justice advocate who brings over six years of experience at the intersection of organizing, narrative change, and digital advocacy. She believes creative storytelling is a powerful tool for advancing grassroots movements, shifting public narratives, and influencing policy decisions.

Based in Richmond, Virginia, Kidest has worked alongside local organizations to amplify marginalized voices and advocate for policies that center the needs of Black communities and other historically excluded groups.

How to Buy “Green Electricity” for Your Maryland Home After SB1

A blog by Laurel Peltier, originally published on Retail Energy Revealed

 

Maryland families recently received letters and emails from their retail energy supplier informing them that their contracts were ending because of a new law called SB1.

What Marylanders should know is that retail energy suppliers are 100% able to offer consumers competitive rates under SB1, Maryland’s retail market was not closed down. Given a decade of terrible consumer pricing results, Maryland was forced to step in and add consumer protections. The issue suppliers have today is that their business models depended on charging exorbitant rates to most of their clients, while providing discounts to a few.

The good news is that Marylanders have options to save, and even go “green.” Plus, catch up on the real SB1 backstory to understand what’s happening in Maryland’s retail energy market.

Here are two effective ways to choose clean energy for your home after 1/1/25:

1. Visit this Community Solar shopping link to find an open local solar farm in your utility area. Subscribing to a local Community Solar farm means you are supporting new, local, solar energy that’s fed into your utility’s local grid. More clean energy means less carbon-based electricity. Better yet, Community Solar has always offered a discount that beats retail suppliers’ supply rates because Community Solar’s discount applies to both delivery and supply charges. In 2026, Community Solar will offer a one-bill option as charges and credits will be included on Maryland regulated utility bills, similar to today’s retail supplier charges.

2. Want to mirror your retail supplier’s green energy offer? Buy Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) directly for $10 per REC from Terrapass. One REC equals 1,000 kWh, about the average number of kWh your home uses each month.

Retail suppliers did not purchase wind or solar electricity from wind and solar farms. They bought digital “green” certificates on behalf of their clients.

Here’s how retail energy “green” energy works:

Maryland residences are connected to a vast electricity grid called the PJM. Retail suppliers made their “green electricity” offers by pairing unbundled RECs with our local PJM grid electricity. The same grid electricity that your neighbor gets who didn’t switch to a supplier.

Retail suppliers report their electricity stats to the federal government in EIA861.

The average Maryland residence uses about 10,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year. The average retail supplier, like CleanChoice, Inspire Energy, Green Mountain Energy or WGL, bought about 7 unbundled RECs per account each year to make their “green” electricity claims. Buying from Terrapass will cost about $70 per year whereas retail suppliers charged between $550 to $950 more.

At $10 per REC, you’ll be ahead financially because Marylanders paid hefty premiums to buy retail supplier “green energy.” As an example, in 2023, CleanChoice customers on average paid about $108 per REC purchased on their behalf. Tomorrow Energy customers paid $160 per REC purchased for them.

Curious how high were retail energy rates? Check out the chart comparing Maryland’s Top 10 retail suppliers average supply kWh rate to the average regulated utility supply 10¢ kWh rate. I also produced this YouTube explaining how voluntary digital RECs turned into 100% renewable electricity.

Why SB1 was Needed

Maryland opened its residential energy supply markets to competition in 1999. It wasn’t until 2010 when the Public Service Commission approved a sweet regulation, called purchase of receivables, that retail suppliers flooded Maryland’s consumer market to compete with BGE, Pepco, SMECO, Potomac Edison and Delmarva regulated utility supply offers.

Yet four short years later, during the 2014 winter Polar Vortex, the residential energy market began to sour. Instead of competitive energy’s promised “savings and innovation,” retail energy suppliers were charging sky-high variable rates that changed each month. During the 2014 Polar Vortex, retail supplier rates doubled, some even quadrupled. Complaints flooded into the PSC, yet Maryland supported retail energy for another decade.

Jenya Kahn-Lang, a Berkeley Hass PhD student, produced an in-depth report using BGE retail choice data. She found that overall, no segment was saving, and that low-income accounts paid the highest premiums compared to regulated electricity rates. The prevalence of a majority black demographic in a ZIP code explained 45% of the pricing discrimination. Maryland opened its residential energy markets to competition, striving to help Marylanders, not to open the market for financial harm.

While a few retail energy customers figured out how to play the “promo” rate game and hop from teaser rate to teaser rate, by 2022, 400,000 families paid hundreds more each year, sometimes thousands more, than if they had stuck with regulated electricity and gas rates.

From 2014 to 2023, Maryland families paid $1.5 billion more than regulated energy rates.

Worse, mountains of data revealed predatory door sales in black and brown communities, intentional pricing discrimination with low-income accounts paying significantly more, thousands of PSC complaints citing aggressive sales people, and fraudulent sales.

SB1 was passed into law May 2024. The law requires suppliers to:

  1. Meet or beat regulated rates.

  2. Disclose what types of RECs support their green energy claims.

  3. Have the PSC approve green energy offers.

  4. Eliminate purchase of receivables regulation (suppliers are now responsible for their bad debt, not regulated utility rate payers).

  5. Gives regulators more tools for reporting, regulating, and enforcing rules.

This website has loads of data, articles, and real bill samples detailing Maryland’s predatory retail energy market. 

About the author: Laurel Peltier is a marketer with strong writing and storytelling skills and solid data analysis skills. Laurel recently finished a project managing the effort to reform Maryland’s energy supplier marketplace in the state’s General Assembly. In 2018, she co-wrote the Abell Foundation Report: Maryland’s Dysfunctional Energy Supplier Market.

MoCo Kids Lead the Way: Family Environmental Scavenger Hunt Sparks Climate Action to Protect Our Communities and Environment

CCAN joined parenting author Shannon Brescher Shea to host its first post-pandemic kid-focused event in Montgomery County to help parents talk to their children about climate change and how we can build a safe, sustainable future.

ROCKVILLE, MD —  Dozens of Montgomery County families came together on Sunday, April 27, for a lively and educational Family Environmental Scavenger Hunt at Rockville Memorial Library. Parenting blogger and author Shannon Brescher Shea and Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN) brought families together for a fun activity to teach children about protecting the earth and our climate. The goal: empowering the next generation to take action for a safer, more sustainable future. 

Children accompanied by their families explored their community around Rockville Town Center in search of real-world examples of climate-forward practices, such as bike-friendly streets, urban gardens, and reusable mug-friendly stores. They also identified opportunities for improvements, including places dominated by car traffic or places that could be transformed into community green spaces. 

“Depending on their age, some of our kids may not fully understand climate change, but they know when adults are worried,” said Shannon Brescher Shea, parenting author and blogger. “One of the best things we can do is show them that the people they trust the most – us – care and are taking action. Participating in activism as a family shows them that they, too, can take action and make a difference.” 

Following the scavenger hunt, participants returned to the library to reflect on their findings. Children drew pictures of something positive they observed in Rockville and something they would like to change to better protect the environment. Kids were able to write shared notes on why safeguarding the climate matters to them, outlining the steps they hope their community will take for a better future. 

“I know from my work and my own family’s experience that this kind of family education is incredibly important,” said Mustafa Abdullah, Director of Campaigns & Strategies at CCAN. “Several years ago, when the Canadian wildfires were raging and our air was filled with smog and pollutants, I had to put masks on my then two-year-old and 6-month-old to go outside. Once I put them in the stroller, I had to cover the stroller with protective plastic to then walk 15 minutes to their daycare.”

“The dramatic increase in wildfires, flooding, and other extreme weather events can be scary and overwhelming. And they are all consequences of the climate crisis. Our children will have to live with these consequences, so we need to teach them how to make our communities more resilient and adaptive to these conditions. I know anytime my child makes a mess, I ask for her to clean it up. It’s important to me that she sees me practicing that message both personally and in my activism – to see me asking that our elected officials and, more importantly, the polluters, clean up the mess they have made.” 

This event highlighted the power of family engagement in climate activism and the importance of helping children see themselves as part of the solution. CCAN looks forward to hosting future events that continue to nurture environmental stewardship and resilience in Montgomery County’s youngest residents. 

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Chesapeake Climate Action Network is the first grassroots organization dedicated exclusively to raising awareness about the impacts and solutions associated with global warming in the Chesapeake Bay region. Founded in 2002, CCAN has been at the center of the fight for clean energy and wise climate policy in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC. 



RVA Steps Up for Climate Action: CCAN’s First 5K for the Planet Energizes People-Powered Movement

Families, friends, and activists ran and walked at Bryan Park to raise awareness and funds for regional environmental resilience and justice

RICHMOND, VA – On Sunday, April 27, the Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN) celebrated its first 5K For the Planet. This event brought together over 70 participants in a vibrant display of community commitment to environmental stewardship and climate action. Runners, walkers, and supporters gathered at Bryan Park to take part in the 5K run/walk, raising awareness and funds for critical environmental initiatives. 

The day’s festivities featured an educational area, where participants discovered ways to get involved in climate advocacy in their communities. Attendees dove into local environmental issues, learned how to push back against polluting projects, and connected with neighbors equally passionate about clean energy and climate justice. Richmond’s local favorite, Nate’s Bagels, provided free breakfast and refreshments for participants.

“We were thrilled to see such strong community support at our first 5K for the Planet,” said Victoria Higgins, CCAN Virginia Director. “Richmond faces real environmental challenges – from polluted waterways to urban heat islands – but progress is made possible when we come together. Richmonders are in the fight for a healthier, more sustainable future.”

In light of recent setbacks in federal environmental protections, local groups and concerned Richmond residents are eager to come together and take action. Many participants voiced support for these ongoing efforts, especially as local and state leaders have stepped up to address critical issues like climate resilience, clean water, and environmental justice.   

“Global solutions depend on local action. Every step we took today was a stride forward towards saving our planet,” said Courtney Dyson, CCAN’s Fundraising Director. “We’re proud to join the Richmond community in supporting local climate action, and we appreciate today’s participants for supporting CCAN’s grassroots campaigns in Virginia and beyond.”

Proceeds from the event will support CCAN’s ongoing projects focused on climate education and community resilience. The momentum from this first 5K will continue to drive meaningful change across the Chesapeake region and beyond. 

Organizational sponsors for CCAN’s 5K For The Planet included: Counterspark, Chesapeake Solar and Storage Association, Ecomaids, Edward Jones Investment, and the Sierra Club Virginia Chapter. 

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Chesapeake Climate Action Network is the first grassroots organization dedicated exclusively to raising awareness about the impacts and solutions associated with global warming in the Chesapeake Bay region. Founded in 2002, CCAN has been at the center of the fight for clean energy and wise climate policy in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC. 

LIHEAP in Crisis: State Leaders, Advocates Warn HHS Cuts Put Low-Income Families at Risk of Utility Shutoffs and Health Emergencies

Maryland, Virginia, and DC lawmakers highlight devastating impact of eliminating the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

WASHINGTON, DC – A diverse coalition of elected officials, advocacy groups, and impacted residents held a press conference today outside of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) office in Washington, D.C., urging HHS to reverse drastic staff and funding cuts for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The press conference, organized by regional state leaders including Delegate Lorig Charkoudian (MD District 20), drew attention to how this program serves as a lifeline for millions of low-income Americans who rely on energy assistance to survive extreme weather conditions. 

On April 1, the entire federal staff responsible for administering LIHEAP was dismissed as part of a sweeping reduction at HHS. The abrupt termination of LIHEAP staff threatens the effective distribution of $4.1 billion in critical funding. LIHEAP alone serves approximately 6.7 million households annually, with 40% of them including senior citizens. 

“As state legislators, we work hard to keep energy rates low and protect our most vulnerable residents,” said Delegate Charkoudian, MD District 20. “LIHEAP funding plays a critical role in keeping the heat and electricity on for seniors, veterans, medically fragile individuals, and others who would otherwise have to decide between an electric bill and groceries.” 

“The elimination of LIHEAP would jeopardize vital utility assistance that prevents many low-income families, especially seniors, from having to choose between paying energy bills or buying food and medicine,” said Delegate Irene Shin, VA District 8. “If these federal staffing reductions were to become permanent or lead to broader program cuts, thousands of vulnerable households would face utility disconnections and increased financial hardship without adequate alternative safety nets in place.” 

Advocates at the event warned that, without federal staff to process and distribute funds, low-income families across the country are at risk of utility shutoffs, debt, and health emergencies as summer heat intensifies and local agencies struggle to meet demand.

“I cannot express how much LIHEAP helps with BG&E bills. It makes my life just a little bit easier; without it, it would be a huge crisis,” said Jackie Wright, LIHEAP recipient.

“Having electricity or heat isn’t a luxury — it’s a necessity for everyone, regardless of their income,” said  Dana Wiggins, Virginia Poverty Law Center.

The elimination of LIHEAP staff also raises concerns about the future of the program because there is a possibility that funds already allocated to the program will be withheld, and no funding will be allocated to the program in fiscal year 2026.

“LIHEAP saves lives, and it has helped keep home energy more affordable for over 40 years,” said Olivia Wein, senior attorney at the National Consumer Law Center. “It’s critical that HHS ensure there is no disruption to the administration of the LIHEAP program in order to protect families during future hot summers and cold winters.” 

“It’s about health and safety — keeping the heat on in the winter for very low-income, mostly senior and disabled families,” said Laurel Peltier, Executive Director of Maryland Energy Advocates Coalition. “The Low-Income Heating Assistance Program financial grants are applied directly to our most vulnerable populations’ winter utility bill accounts to make the monthly bill more affordable.”   

Immediately following the press conference, a bipartisan, regional legislator sign-on letter was delivered to key HHS staff, urging swift action to restore LIHEAP’s capacity. The letter currently has 92 legislators signed on. 

“Creating safer, more energy-efficient homes is a critical part of ensuring that all Marylanders can stay in their homes longer, more comfortably, and with fewer risks to their health and wellness,” said Scott Gottbreht, Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Assistant Secretary for Policy. “The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program supports fundamental human dignity and safety in our communities, and cuts or delays would undermine the stability of working families and the well-being of children throughout the region.”

“We are very concerned about the continued delays by the Trump Administration in releasing the remaining $378 million in LIHEAP funds,” said Mark Wolfe, Executive Director, National Energy Assistance Directors Association. “These funds will help about 750,000 very poor families pay their cooling bills this summer and outstanding utility debt from this year’s cold winter.  And if that wasn’t bad enough, the Administration’s draft budget would zero out LIHEAP, causing unnecessary harm to more than 6 million struggling families in every state of the country.” 

“LIHEAP is a lifeline every year for around 15,000 District residents who fall behind on utility bills,” said Charles Allen, D.C. Councilman Ward 6. “When the air is shut off in the summer or the heat in the winter, it becomes very serious, very quickly – people die. This isn’t a red or blue state issue – it’s about making sure people on a fixed income don’t die of heat stroke. With the entire federal office overseeing the program terminated, I am extremely concerned about how money will get to the people who need it.” 

Click HERE to watch the livestream recording.

Click on photos for full view.

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This event was sponsored by: Members of the Maryland General Assembly, Members of the Virginia House of Delegates, Members of the DC City Council, Chesapeake Climate Action Network, Cancer Support Foundation, National Energy & Utility Affordability Coalition, VA Poverty Law Center, Maryland Energy Advocates Coalition, National Energy Assistance Directors Association, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers 410, National Consumer Law Center, Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, Maryland Office of People’s Counsel, International Brotherhood of Electric Workers Union 410 (IBEW410), International Brotherhood of Electric Workers Local Union 24 (IBEW 24)

Black History Month and the Environmental Justice Movement

Happy Black History Month, climate family! Black History Month is coming to a close, and I’m still fired up to talk about the incredible impact Black leaders have had on the environmental justice movement. Let’s dive into this crucial intersection of racial justice and climate action! 

Black History Month is a time for reflection, remembrance, and celebration of the incredible contributions that Black people and communities have made to shaping our world. It’s also a time to critically engage with the struggles that continue to impact Black people, especially as they intersect with issues of environmental justice and climate change.

Environmental justice is not just about protecting the land; it’s about protecting people. Communities of color—especially Black communities—have long been on the frontlines of environmental harm. From toxic waste sites to polluted air and water, environmental burdens are disproportionately placed on Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities. This is the ugly truth of environmental racism, and it’s something we cannot ignore.

But here’s the thing: the fight for environmental justice is also a fight for liberation. It’s a fight against systemic oppression that harms the planet and its people. The negative impacts of climate change are often most acutely felt at the local level—where marginalized communities live, work, and fight for survival. That’s why we need to recognize the contributions of Black leaders in local climate justice movements and take action to support them.

The Roots of Environmental Justice

The environmental justice movement is deeply rooted in Black American history. It all kicked off in 1982 when the brave residents of Warren County, North Carolina, stood up against a toxic waste dump in their predominantly Black community. North Carolina had chosen to build a landfill for toxic waste in a community already facing economic challenges. The decision to place the dump there was approved despite the fact that the area had no history of industrial activity and was largely residential, with many families relying on farming and agriculture. This was not an isolated case but part of a larger pattern of environmental hazards being disproportionately placed in low-income, Black neighborhoods across the U.S.

NC Highways Historical Marker for PCB landfill protests in Afton, North Carolina

The people of Warren County, led by local activists, such as Dr. Robert Bullard and Ben Chavis, refused to passively accept this decision. They organized protests, rallies, and demonstrations to resist the construction of the toxic waste site. For weeks, starting in September 1982, activists, community leaders, and residents engaged in acts of civil disobedience, including blocking trucks from delivering toxic waste to the site. Protesters were arrested, and many were subjected to police brutality, but their efforts drew national attention to the broader issue of environmental racism.

The Warren County protests highlighted how communities of color bear the brunt of our country’s pollution, and this fight signaled that marginalized communities would no longer silently endure this exploitation. Although the landfill was ultimately built in Warren County, the protests sparked a national movement that led to critical developments in environmental policy and advocacy. In 1987, the landmark report by the United Church of Christ’s Commission for Racial Justice highlighted the disproportionate number of hazardous wastes sites in Black and low-income communities. 

But the fight didn’t start or end there. Black communities have been battling environmental injustices for generations, from toxic dumping to air pollution. These struggles laid the groundwork for what we now call the environmental justice movement.

Environmental Justice and the Climate Crisis

The global climate crisis is here—and its impacts are catastrophic. From rising sea levels to extreme weather patterns, vulnerable communities are bearing the brunt of environmental destruction. However, the solution to this crisis lies in the same principles that have guided the fight for environmental justice for decades: respect for the land, equity, and the empowerment of frontline communities.

In the United States, Black communities are disproportionately impacted by environmental degradation. Consider the history of environmental racism in places like Flint, Michigan, where lead-tainted water poisoned an entire city, or the continued struggles of communities living near industrial waste sites in places like Cancer Alley, Louisiana, where the risk of cancer is 95% higher than most of the country. The climate crisis amplifies these issues, making it clear that the environmental movement must center those who have been historically marginalized.

How You Can Help: Environmental Justice Organizations Serving Black Communities in the DMV Area

As we reflect on Black History Month, let’s also honor the environmental organizations serving Black communities and doing vital work on the ground. The following organizations are showing us that climate justice is about more than just reducing emissions – it’s about creating a fair and sustainable world for everyone. Support for these organizations is crucial, not just during Black History Month, but year-round. 

If you’re in the DC, Maryland, or Virginia area, there are powerful organizations that need your support:

  • Empower DC: Empower DC is elevating the cause of environmental justice to bring about improvements at the community and systemic levels. They are focused on DC neighborhoods most impacted by air quality issues.
  • WE ACT for Environmental Justice (DC Chapter): Through advocacy, planning, and research, WE ACT is able to mobilize low-income communities of color to make environmental change.
    Friends of Chesterfield for the 2025 Gas Plant Campaign Kick-Off  Thursday, Feb 27, at the Central Library.
  • Labor Network For Sustainability(LNS) DC: LNS hopes to create a ‘just transition’ for workers and communities negatively affected by climate change and by industry transitions to renewable energy.
  • Center for Community Engagement, Environmental Justice & Health (CEEJH) MD:  CEEJH works to INpower fenceline, frontline, and underserved communities to resist ongoing environmental, climate, energy, and health injustices so everyone can thrive in just, equitable, and sustainable futures.
  • CASA (Maryland & Virginia): CASA is a national powerhouse organization building power and improving the quality of life in working-class: Black, Latinx, Afro-descendent, Indigenous, and Immigrant communities.
  • Friends of Chesterfield: Friends of Chesterfield is a community-based group in Chesterfield County bringing residents together in opposition to Dominion Energy’s proposed gas-fired plant in an environmental justice community.
  • RVA Southside ReLeaf:  Southside Releaf is working to tackle environmental injustice through hands-on projects, education, and advocacy in the Richmond Metro area.
  • Virginia Interfaith Power & Light (VAIPL): VAIPL collaborates among people of faith and conscience to grow healthy communities by advancing climate and environmental justice.

These groups are fighting for cleaner air, safer neighborhoods, and a healthier planet. They are standing up against environmental injustices, advocating for policy changes, and empowering their communities to take action.

The Future Is Now

Black History Month is a time to reflect on how far we’ve come, but also to recognize how much work remains. The environmental justice movement reminds us that the fight for a healthy planet is inseparable from the fight for racial justice. In the words of the great environmentalist and activist Dr. Robert Bullard: “Environmental justice is a civil rights issue.” It’s time to honor the legacy of Black leaders who have been fighting for justice on all fronts and take action to support those leading the charge today.

Now, more than ever, the future of our planet—and our communities—depends on the power of collective action. Let’s ensure that Black voices and environmental justice communities are not only heard but supported in meaningful ways. Let’s commit to amplifying Black voices in the climate movement and working towards a just and sustainable future for all.

Indie Folk Musician and DC Climate Activist Vienna Teng Performs at the 20th Annual CCAN Polar Bear Plunge

As Threats to Climate Progress Intensify, Hundreds of Activists Were Freezin’ for a Reason: Raise Funds for Critical Climate Campaigns

Takoma Park, MD – On Saturday, February 15, the Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN) celebrated its 20th Annual CCAN Polar Bear Plunge to “Keep Winter Cold!” Hundreds of climate activists across the DMV region and beyond took icy plunges in backyards, local waterways, and even ice buckets, raising funds for urgently needed climate action in 2025 and sharing their experiences online. 

Photos and videos of CCAN’s 2025 Polar Bear Plungers can be found here: https://app.kululu.com/welcome/fzikog.

“Back in 2005, not many people had heard about climate change and we certainly weren’t feeling the impacts like we are today. In 2005 we were talking about future impacts from climate change. We hadn’t seen it as much as we do now,” said Anne Havemann, Deputy Director and General Counsel of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, reflecting on the first CCAN Polar Bear Plunge for the Climate. “In 2025, we see climate change impacts all over the globe, in our backyards, and people understand what it is. We hope to make sure that people know that there are still solutions, all is not lost, and we’ll keep working to fight climate change.” 

Internationally acclaimed indie folk musician and DC climate activist Vienna Teng headlined the event with a stirring performance. Teng, known for her passionate and original musical style, lent her voice to this powerful cause emphasizing the need to act now. 

“Chesapeake Climate Action Network is near and dear to my heart because I spent 10 years working on climate and clean energy and sustainability professionally, and I got to see firsthand how important local groups like this are to implementing climate solutions all over the world,” said Vienna Teng, a D.C. based pianist, singer-songwriter, and climate activist. “There are just so many things that help to move everything forward, on a systemic level, that local groups like CCAN make possible.” 

The 20th CCAN Polar Bear Plunge comes at a critical time when global temperatures continue to rise, with 2024 being the warmest year on record. The World Meteorological Organization warns that record-breaking heat is likely to continue in 2025, further accelerating climate change. This event represented a powerful statement of community commitment to climate resilience.

CCAN’s NoVa New Leaf Action Team Plunge at a local creek. 

CCAN supporters, Kathy Ferger (left) and Lisa Keily (right) plunging to Keep Winter Cold!

“The current administration’s anti-climate stance makes people-powered climate action more crucial than ever. We’re deeply grateful that hundreds of individuals and groups continue to demonstrate their unwavering support for climate action through events like our Polar Bear Plunge. This grassroots momentum is essential to drive the changes we desperately need,” said Mike Tidwell, Executive Director of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network. 

CCAN’s 2025 Polar Bear Plunge sponsors included: Beanetics Coffee Roasters, Climate Action Campaign, Motorkat, Zinnia, Takoma Bev Co., US Wind, MAREC Action, Evergreen Action, and EDF Renewables. 

The event, traditionally held at the Potomac River, pivoted to a virtual format following the recent plane crash. Participants observed a solemn moment of silence for the lives lost before commencing their chilly demonstrations of commitment to environmental protection.

This year’s plunge has so far raised more than $162,000 in funds that will be used to fight the harmful effects of climate change in D.C., Maryland, Virginia, and across the United States. For more information, visit our site: www.keepwintercold.org. 

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Chesapeake Climate Action Network is the first grassroots organization dedicated exclusively to raising awareness about the impacts and solutions associated with global warming in the Chesapeake Bay region. Founded in 2002, CCAN has been at the center of the fight for clean energy and wise climate policy in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC.