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Support Offshore Wind Energy in Maryland

Expanding offshore wind energy is essential to combat global climate change, create good-paying jobs, and establish a domestic supply chain for generations to come. Write a letter to The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) encouraging them to support the proposed action Alternative B to allow for the construction of up to 2.2 GW of offshore wind energy in US Wind’s lease area off the coast of Maryland. Learn more and send a letter below:

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Stop Environmental Racism and Protect the Oxon Hill Community

Take action to stop environmental racism and prevent a dangerous Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) facility from being built in the heart of the majority Black community of historic Oxon Hill, Prince George’s County, Maryland! Take action below by signing the petition and sending a letter to elected officials.

BESS facilities come with known fire and explosion risks and unknown long-term risks to health and safety.  When facilities elsewhere malfunctioned, they leaked flammable gasses that led to catastrophic explosions. When fires occur, the toxic and lethal flammable gasses released cannot be stopped using traditional firefighting methods.

The proposed facility in Oxon Hill would be in the middle of a busy and vibrant residential neighborhood, less than 200 feet from a daycare center and residential homes. The other proposed location for a facility is in a predominantly white Maryland suburb, Rockville, deep in the woods and miles away from the closest residence. The Oxon Hill location was chosen because it would be “cost-effective” with no input from the community and little consideration of the risks to neighbors, children, public safety, or house values. 

Maryland PEPCO is owned by the Exelon Corporation, the largest electric company in the US. They have a long, dark history of placing environmental hazards that jeopardize health, wealth, and safety in Black and Brown communities. It’s no coincidence that the Rockville location is a safe distance from residents, but the Oxon Hill location is in a thriving neighborhood. This is environmental racism! We need you to help the Oxon Hill community fight back! 

This community supports renewable energy. BESS facilities support renewable energy; we are not against these facilities in general. However, given the risks, we believe these facilities should be far from where people live and work.

Tell legislators and administrators to take a stand against environmental racism and prevent this dangerous facility from being built in Oxon Hill!

Please join us for our rally to protect our neighborhood on Earth Day, Saturday, April 22, at 7201 Livingston Road, Oxon Hill, Maryland, from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm.

Residents Oppose a Planned Lithium Battery Storage System (Inside Climate News)

A Pepco pilot project to build the 1-megawatt unit poses fire and explosion risks, the residents say. Pepco says the planned facility, intended to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, meets all safety codes.

Other Actions You Can Take