BALTIMORE, MD – Climate, social justice, and community activists held a noon time rally today at the Maryland Department of Environment to urge Governor Moore to release an actionable plan to phase out fossil fuels and meet the administration’s stated 100% clean energy goals.

The “Governor Moore: No More Delays, 100% Clean Energy Now!” rally – featuring activists from Food & Water Watch, Southern Baltimore Community Land Trust, and the Maryland Legislative Coalition Energy Justice Wing – came in response to widespread disappointment with the Moore administration’s lack of progress on its climate agenda. Many environmentalists and social justice activists are demanding that the Moore administration act decisively to implement his 100 percent clean energy by 2035 goal. The governor has promised to do so, but so far has failed to deliver anything substantive. 

“We have heard plenty of strong rhetoric from Governor Moore about tackling the climate crisis. But the communities that are on the frontlines here in Maryland need action, not words,” said Food & Water Watch organizer Jomar Lloyd. “We are telling Governor Moore that there can be no more delays. We need him to launch a strong program right now to get Maryland off fossil fuels.”

Speakers highlighted that need to transition off fossil fuels, including stopping the export of coal from Baltimore that has posed serious risks to local communities for decades. Other speakers talked about the dangerous industry scams like trash incineration and carbon capture, which many worry Governor Moore may count in his “clean energy” program. There was also criticism of the governor’s push to build new data centers, which will strain the power grid. 

“We’re here to call on Governor Moore and say no more delays on moving away from fossil fuels, incinerators and all the other facilities that are impacting our communities and leading to severe health issues,” said Shawshanda Campbell of the Southern Baltimore Community Land Trust. “This is not just a 2035 thing – we need action now in 2024.”

“Governor Moore, you have an opportunity to deliver on your promises by implementing common sense guardrails on data centers, which will use massive amounts of electricity and water,” said Dave Arndt, co-chair of the Maryland Legislative Coalition Climate Justice Wing. “These will have a significant impact on residents and the environment. You must lead, and not repeat the mistakes of Virginia.”