September 21, 2021

Dear Governor Hogan, Speaker Jones, and President Ferguson,

Each September 21, we pause to take note of Zero Emissions Day – a milestone that urges us to reflect on how we might chart a path for a cleaner and healthier future.

The damage caused from burning fossil fuels is already at our doorsteps in Maryland and is being felt around the country, judging by the American Lung Association’s 2021 “State of the Air” report from earlier this year. While it showed some gains in improving U.S. air quality since 2020, over 40% of Americans — more than 135 million people — live in communities with unhealthy levels of ozone or particle pollution, including many Marylanders. Two Maryland regions were included in the 2021 list of the top 25 most polluted cities (by ozone): Philadelphia-Reading-Camden, PA-NJ-DE-MD (#21) and Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA (#22). Philadelphia-Reading-Camden also made the list of polluted regions by year-round particle pollution, at #17. Of the 24 jurisdictions in Maryland, three managed a C grade when it comes to high ozone days, one received a D and six scored an F.

It is time to get serious about carbon-free energy solutions; there is simply no time to waste. Especially here in Maryland, where 80% of our carbon-free energy – and almost 40% of our overall energy – is generated from the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant. Nuclear energy is foundational to the state meeting its clean energy targets, while providing low-cost energy, good-paying jobs and stimulating the local economy.

The Nuclear Powers Maryland coalition has been hard at work over last six months educating lawmakers and the public about the crucial role of nuclear energy in achieving carbon reduction goals and addressing climate change. We’ve seen many of you at events like the Maryland Municipal League (MML) and Maryland Association of Counties (MACo). We’ve had conversations with many of you over Zoom. We’ve connected with community members, business owners, young people and more. We’re even looking forward to seeing some of you later today and in the future at the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Plant.

Through all of this connection and conversation, we hope to highlight the essential value of nuclear energy — as a safe, clean, resilient and economic power source in the state.

We look forward to your continued support as we all work to meet the ambitious goal of 100% clean energy by 2040 and support good-paying jobs in our community.

Signed,

American Nuclear Society
Baltimore-DC Metro Building Trades Council
Calvert County Chamber of Commerce
Calvert County Government
Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES)
Centrus Energy
EXCEL Services Corporation
Exelon Generation
Nuclear Energy Institute
Nuclear Matters
LiUNA
The Nuclear Alternative Project
Orano USA
Sensible Energy Matters to America (SEMA)
Studsvik Scandpower
WSC
X-energy

CC:

Ben Grumbles, Maryland Secretary of the Environment

Jason Stanek, Chairman of the Maryland Public Service Commission

Mary Beth Tung, Maryland Energy Administration

Katherine Magruder, Maryland Clean Energy Center

Maryland Commission on Climate Change Members

• Ben Grumbles, Commission Chair
• Anne Lindner, Commission Co-Chair
• Kim Coble, Commission Co-Chair

Maryland House Environment and Transportation Committee Members

• Kumar P. Barve, Chair
• Dana M. Stein, Vice-Chair

Maryland Senate Education, Health & Environmental Affairs Committee Members

• Paul G. Pinsky, Chair
• Cheryl C. Kagan, Vice-Chair

Senate Finance Committee Members

• Delores G. Kelley, Chair
• Brian J. Feldman, Vice-Chair

House Economic Matters Committee Members

• Dereck E. Davis, Chair
• Kathleen M. Dumais, Vice-Chair

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About Nuclear Powers Maryland: Nuclear Powers Maryland is a statewide coalition of clean energy advocates dedicated to supporting the State of Maryland’s transition to clean energy. Comprised of a diverse group of like-minded organizations – energy and electric companies, non-profits, local governments and trade associations – the coalition is dedicated to educating the public about the value of carbon-free nuclear power and supporting Maryland’s continued clean energy progress and economic growth. For more information, visit www.nuclearpowersmd.com or follow @nuclearpowersmd on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.