Statement: Maryland PIRG Responds to Hogan Energy Announcement

Media Contacts
Emily Scarr

State Director, Maryland PIRG; Director, Stop Toxic PFAS Campaign, PIRG

Maryland PIRG

Gov. Larry Hogan announced Wednesday that he will be introducing legislation in 2020 to move the state to 100 percent renewable energy by 2040. He signaled support for nuclear power, but was short on details.

Maryland PIRG Director Emily Scarr issued the following statement in response:

“Maryland PIRG is disappointed Governor Hogan’s energy plan alludes to increasing support for nuclear power. If we are serious about addressing the climate crisis and transitioning to 100 percent clean, renewable electricity, our state policy must conserve more energy, use the energy we have wisely and efficiently, and rely only on sources of energy that are clean, renewable and tread lightly on our planet.

As we figure out how to transition to 100 percent clean, renewable energy as quickly as possible, there will be robust debate around when and how to shut down our old, expensive, dirty and dangerous nuclear power plants. But with wind and solar at our fingertips, there’s simply no need to subsidize nor incentivize nuclear power. Every dollar we spend propping up the energy system of the past is a dollar we are not using to build the energy system of the future.”

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