U.S. House of Representatives Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (MD-5) addressed a crowd of nearly 300 tonight at a town hall forum on clean energy at the University of Maryland. The College Park auditorium was packed with members of local business, environmental, student, faith and sportsmen’s groups.

For Immediate Release:
May 11, 2009

 Pictures Available Here

U.S. House of Representatives Majority Leader Hoyer,
Community Leaders Hold Forum on Clean Energy
Business, Labor, Student Leaders Call for Bold Federal Action on Clean Energy

College Park-U.S. House of Representatives Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (MD-5) addressed a crowd of nearly 300 tonight at a town hall forum on clean energy at the University of Maryland. The College Park auditorium was packed with members of local business, environmental, student, faith and sportsmen’s groups.

“As Congress moves forward on clean energy legislation that will create jobs, invest in alternatives, and reduce carbon pollution, it is very important to hear from citizens what their views are on these critical matters,” said Majority Leader Hoyer. “The overwhelming consensus is that transitioning to clean energy is essential to securing the future of our economy, our environment, and our national security.”

The American Clean Energy and Security Act, a piece of legislation currently being debated in Congress, would limit global warming pollution and set national standards for renewable energy and energy efficiency. Majority Leader Hoyer is currently working with the sponsors, Congressmen Henry Waxman (CA-30) and Ed Markey (MA-7), to pass the legislation before the United States engages in international talks on global energy policy in Copenhagen this December.

“No matter your politics, climate change impacts us all. It’s taken the dedication of concerned students, citizens, business leaders and elected officials such as Congressman Hoyer to bring this issue to the forefront and create meaningful solutions. Clean energy is part of that solution and America’s energy future. Zero-emission solar electricity not only will help us meet our growing energy needs, it will be an economic engine for this country – creating good, local jobs,” said Martha Duggan, Vice President for Government Affairs of Sun Edison, North America’s largest solar energy services provider.

With the Chesapeake Bay and over 3,000 miles of coastline, Maryland is especially susceptible to the effects of rising waters caused by global warming. Rising temperatures and changing water patterns are already altering Maryland’s ecological landscape. “Each year we seem to see fewer and fewer migratory water fowl wintering in Maryland. We attribute that to more temperate winters of recent years,” said Steve Linhard of Ducks Unlimited, an avid sportsman and Charter Boat Captain as well as Board Member of MD Legislative Sportsman Foundation.

Speakers also highlighted the economic benefits of investing in clean energy. According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, a national standard of 25% renewable electricity by 2025 will create thousands of jobs in Maryland and save our consumers $630 million on electricity and natural gas. “We have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to transform our economy with clean energy, create thousands of good, lasting jobs, and prevent the worst effects of global warming,” said Sam Epps, Political Organizer for 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East.

Tonight’s town hall meeting came just days after Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley signed into law one of the nation’s strongest statewide caps on global warming pollution, the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Act of 2009. The law puts Maryland at the forefront of national efforts to curb global warming and transition to a clean energy economy.

“I appreciate the invitation of students from across my district, and their work, together with the Maryland League of Conservation Voters and other organizations, to create this opportunity to have this discussion on how together we can make that happen,” said Congressman Hoyer.

Maryland students played a major role in organizing the forum. They presented Congressman Hoyer with a “National Call to Action,” a letter of principles for any national clean energy policy. Currently, over 50 organizations across Maryland, like the College Park Chapter of the NAACP, Green Power Living LLC, the Greater Marlboro Democratic Club, and other groups representing faith, science, labor, sporting, and business have all signed on. As they presented the list to the Majority Leader, students praised his leadership on energy issues and urged him to continue working to pass a strong bill this year.

“We are calling on Rep. Hoyer to use his leadership to protect our future and revitalize our communities with clean energy,” said Christian Melendez, of Engaged University, a UMD program to build relationships between the campus and surrounding communities.

“Young people are energized and optimistic about renewing the U.S. economy, responding to global climate change, fostering the nation’s energy security, and paving the way toward sustainable global development. In order to do this, we need urgent help from our nation’s leaders.”

Sponsors of tonight’s event included UMD Students for Clean Energy, Maryland PIRG, Maryland Student Climate Coalition, St. Mary’s College Student Environmental Action Coalition, Chesapeake Climate Action Network, Environment Maryland, Maryland League of Conservation Voters, and Clean Water Action.

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Pictures available at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/stern_matt/sets/72157617949046687/