Advocates and Community Leaders Rally in Annapolis to Demand Passage of the Reclaim Renewable Energy Act

Senate President Ferguson & Delegate Vaughn Stewart Join Frontline Communities in Calling for an End to Incineration Subsidies

Annapolis, MD – Advocates and community leaders rallied today in Annapolis, sending a strong message to lawmakers and WIN Waste Incinerator: this is the year Maryland will finally stop subsidizing toxic trash incineration. Demonstrators, including residents from South Baltimore, Senate President Bill Ferguson, and Delegate Vaughn Stewart, gathered in front of the State House ahead of the Senate hearing on the Reclaim Renewable Energy Act (RREA). In a direct response to WIN Waste’s recent claims that incineration should continue receiving subsidies because of their nonprofit donations, advocates clapped back, calling out the company for profiting off pollution while harming the communities they claim to help. At the same time, demonstrators symbolically wore gas masks to represent the devastating effects of air pollution in Baltimore.

"Year after year, we tell folks we’re tired of Marylanders subsidizing asthma. We’re tired of paying extra on our utility bills every month just so a super-profitable corporation can get even richer—choking us, ruining our planet, and destroying our air quality. This is finally our year. We’re going to get it done.” said Delegate Vaughn Stewart. 

The rally, hosted by Progressive Maryland, South Baltimore Community Land Trust, Coal Free Curtis Bay, Clean Water Action, and Food & Water Watch, highlighted how the incinerator continues to disproportionately harm Black and working-class communities, burning 800,000 tons of trash each year, while raking in millions in subsidies meant for clean energy like wind and solar. 

Senate President Bill Ferguson, the lead sponsor of the bill, underscored why Maryland must end these subsidies: "This is a bill that’s been a long time coming. At a time when we need truly green, truly renewable energy in Maryland, we should not be incentivizing incineration. This year, we’re going to move forward, and we’re going to get it done."

Senate President Bill Ferguson speaking at rally

Advocates also called out WIN Waste’s attempt to justify its existence with charity donations.

"WIN Waste gets millions in subsidies meant for clean energy, while Marylanders pay the price in higher bills and worse health," said SirJames, Progressive Maryland’s Environmental Justice Task Force organizer, leading chants of "WIN Waste, we’re saying it to your face!"

South Baltimore residents, who live in the direct shadow of the incinerator, spoke about the devastating health and financial toll the facility has had on their neighborhoods.

"Win Waste tries to mislead the public, but my community has never benefited from them. Their negligence has led to cancer-related deaths, including my own battle with cancer after living near the incinerator." said Mary Randall, a Progressive Maryland environmental advocate.

"For 39 years, this incinerator has polluted my community. To classify trash incineration as renewable energy is fundamentally misleading," said Shenae Thomas, a member of Progressive Maryland’s Environmental Justice Task Force. ‘We must redirect our money toward real clean energy like solar and wind—not corporate polluters”

With Senate President Ferguson’s leadership, growing public support, and a renewed push for climate justice, advocates say the time is now. Marylanders will no longer accept the false choice between pollution and progress. 

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