Environmental Justice Task Force
The Reclaim Renewable Energy Act Press Conference was a day of glory, with over 20 people in attendance, including allies from Food & Water Watch, South Baltimore Community Land Trust, and CASA. As the sun danced on everyone’s faces, an indescribable feeling of anticipation could be felt as EJTF members and fellow EJ advocates surrounded Lawyers Mall.
The event commenced with an energetic speech from Delegate Vaughn Stewart, sponsor of the house RREA bill, as he drew attention to the lack of gumption in ratepayers paying into the wealth of trash incinerators, while billion-dollar corporations profit off a toxic utility that is actually not renewable. He reiterated that the time to pass the RREA of 2024 is NOW.
In similar impromptu fashion, those sentiments were echoed by Senator Karen Lewis Young, sponsor of the senate RREA bill, and Delegate Robbyn Lewis, cosponsor of House RREA bill.
And after several months of being away from the EJTF, Mikal Rashid, who developed asthma after living in Cherry Hill for 6 years, returned, and gave a 4-minute speech that swept everyone off their feet. Shenae Thomas, Cherry Hill resident, also spoke and shed light on the economic exploitation of the Bresco-trash incinerator on her community. The allure of the RREA press conference drew media attention, and has now amplified the campaign across Maryland. View the full RREA Press Conference here.
Lastly, last Thursday the EJTF gathered in Annapolis for the final hearing for the RREA: HB166. With that, we need to make calls into selected elected officials in the house and senate committees who have influence to move the bill forward for a vote. The EJTF needs you so if you’re interested in throwing down and making calls to help get the RREA bill across the finish line, reach out to SirJames here.
Acknowledgements and gratitude: Jose Coronado-Flores, CASA; Toby Harris, SBCLT, Jorge Aguilar, FWW; Delegate Vaughn Stewart, Delegate Robbyn Lewis; Senator Karen Lewis Young
Special shoutouts: Shenae Thomas, Mikal Rashid and Kamal Nkele