DOCSLIB.ORG

I Am a Lifelong Progressive Activist and I Bring This Experience and Perspective to All of My Work As an Elected Officia and Continue My Activism in This Role

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
I Am a Lifelong Progressive Activist and I Bring This Experience and Perspective to All of My Work As an Elected Officia and Continue My Activism in This Role Our Revolution Maryland: Montgomery County Chapter Questionnaire for County-level Candidates Name Tom Hucker Office sought County Council District 5 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- About Our Revolution Maryland Our Revolution Maryland, the State Chapter of Our Revolution, seeks to reclaim our democracy for the working people of our country by harnessing the transformative energy of the “political revolution,” by supporting a new generation of progressive leadership, empowering millions to fight for progressive change and elevating political consciousness. By transforming Maryland politics, Our Revolution Maryland aims to make our political and economic systems once again responsive to Maryland’s working families. Our Revolution Montgomery County seeks to promote economic, social and environmental justice and counter the corrupting influences of wealth and power through community organizing, political engagement, education and outreach. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Personal 1. What have you done professionally or as an activist that qualifies you for public office and that might stamp you as a candidate whom Our Revolution Montgomery members would want to support? I am a lifelong progressive activist and I bring this experience and perspective to all of my work as an elected officia and continue my activism in this role. I started as a canvasser on environmental campaigns at age 18, continued for ten years as a student activist and regional environmental campaign director for the PIRGs, Sierra Club, National Environmental Law Center and other groups. I then pivoted into community organizing of labor-community alliances and by 1999, I served as Executive Director of Progressive Montgomery until I organized its merger with inactive Citizen Agenda and Maryland Citizen Action to form Progressive Maryland. I was Executive Director of Progressive Maryland from then until 2006, growing it to include 40 dues-paying affiliated organizations and 15,000 individual members. Some of my accomplishments there include: ● 2000: Successfully fought County administration proposals to eliminate rent guidelines and other anti-tenant measures ● 2002: Won a four year campaign to enact Montgomery County’s Living Wage Law ● 2004: Collected over 16,000 postcards from constituents to key lawmakers to successfully close the infamous “Delaware Loophole” that allowed megacorporations to avoid income taxes, winning hundreds of millions of dollars for Maryland schools, universities, and hospitals ● Led the charge to pass the 2004 living wage law through the Maryland General Assembly. Gov. Bob Ehrlich vetoed the bill, but the Assembly leadership agreed to raise the minimum wage rather than overriding the veto - resulting in the first minimum wage hike above the federal rate in Maryland history. Some of my accomplishments in office include: ● 2007: Passed landmark legislation requiring that all workers on state contracts receive a Living Wage — the first state in the nation to do so. Helped pass the Maryland Clean Cars Act, drastically lowering vehicle emissions in MD Introduced legislation that prohibited housing discrimination against a person because of source of income ● 2008: Served on a Working Group that brought together manufacturers, environmentalists, and labor unions to create and pass HB 315, Maryland’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act, the nation’s toughest state global warming law at the time ● 2009: Passed the MD Preschool for All bill requiring MD to finalize a business plan to offer free, voluntary pre-Kindergarten to all four-year olds Served on the White House Task Force of State Legislators for Health Care Reform, which provided policy advice and organized support for the passage and implementation of the President’s national health care reform efforts ● 2010: Passed HB 350 with overwhelming bipartisan support for federal funds to dramatically expand pre-K in Maryland; Re-elected as D20 delegate, endorsed by the MD Sierra Club, League of Conservation Voters, NARAL Pro-Choice MD, EqualityMD, MCGEO, UFCW, SEIU, MCEA, MSEA, and many other organizations ● 2011: Helped pass the first-ever reliability standards for Pepco with state Senator Brian Feldman; Successfully ended Pepco’s practice of charging customers for utility usage during power outages. ● 2012: Passed the MD Watershed Protection and Restoration Program, guaranteeing that every major jurisdiction in the state will work together to address stormwater pollution and create green jobs across the region; Successfully fought to ban arsenic additives from chicken production, a policy later adopted by the FDA ● 2013: Passed the Pregnant Worker Protection Act, providing pregnant workers with better protection from firings and requiring all employers to accommodate their workers during pregnancy Worked closely with Gov. O’Malley to pass the MD Offshore Wind Energy Act, historic legislation creating thousands of green jobs and preparing MD to be a leading producer of wind energy in the country ● 2014: Worked with Councilmembers to help pass legislation to increase Montgomery County’s minimum wage, then successfully fought for statewide legislation to increase Maryland’s minimum wage, giving a raise to nearly half a million workers. Helped defeat efforts in Annapolis to pre-empt Montgomery’s new higher minimum wage; Introduced legislation to establish a statewide retirement fund for private employees, similar to President Obama’s MyRA mentioned in the 2014 State of the Union ● 2015: Fought to ensure that the Council rejected last minute attempts to weaken County paid sick and safe leave legislation and offered a successful amendment providing that all types of workers that are laid off and later rehired are able to use previously accumulated time if they are rehired within 9 months; Exposed a GOP scheme to close the East County Early Voting site and then led a successful campaign to reverse that decision, protecting voter access at highest minority-early voting site in the County; ● 2016: Ensured workers can use their paid sick leave when they become new parents, ​ including fathers and foster, adoptive, and same-sex parents, through common-sense expansion of County’s existing paid sick and safe leave law; Implemented strong community outreach, advocacy, and accountability measures in aftermath of tragic Long Branch apartment fire in Flower Branch Apartment community; Co-sponsored and successfully advocated for several amendments to strengthen protections for renters Campaign Finance 2. Will you support continued funding of publicly financed elections? When I was the ​ Executive Director of Progressive Maryland, we wrote and initiated successful 2002 legislation to create a Study Commission to look into the best way to implement public financing of elections in Maryland, and we fought successfully in subsequent years to pass public financing legislation through the full House and through the Senate committee, but the bill was never approved by the full Senate. On the Montgomery County Council, I have always voted to make sure the public financing fund has the money it needs for the program to be successful. I will continue to do so if re-elected. 3. In 2014, Montgomery County set up a public financing system for elections of County Executive and County Council. Are you participating in this system? We had not been eligible for public financing until very recently. With the sudden entrance of an opponent into our race, we are revising our campaign plan and will soon decide whether we want to pivot to public financing at this very late date. If Yes, please explain how the process has gone? (good, bad, changes you would like to see, if you think it should be expanded to other offices). If No, please: (A) provide the percentage of funds your campaign has received in donations that are over $150.00 (the maximum an individual can contribute to candidates who are receiving ​ public financing), (B) list any PACS, Corporations, and Labor Organization (groups not ​ ​ allowed to contribute to publicly financed candidates) that have donated to your ​ campaign, and (C) set forth the steps you are taking to ensure that you will not give preferential treatment to these larger donors over residents who have not contributed large amounts of money. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income & Wealth Inequality 4. Montgomery County recently passed a $15 minimum wage, but did not extend this to tipped workers. Would you vote to phase out the tip credit? Of course. In 2015, I was the only member of the County Council to vote against a punitive bill ​ ​ that lowered wages for tipped workers. ​ 5. Would you support legislation to make County taxes more progressive and if so what changes would you support? As a Montgomery County Councilmember, I have supported this term a property tax increase and a recordation tax increase. I also sponsored successful legislation to create a tax on e-cigarettes. I would support other revenue measures if needed to ensure quality service. At the state level, I would support increasing the estate tax, the millionaire’s tax. I would support ​ implementing combined reporting, and passing legislation to give the County Council authority to tax residential and commercial property at a different rate. 6. Would you support eliminating the property tax break for golf courses?
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Jamie Raskin Ben Cardin
    HHH Official Democratic Sample Ballot HHH General Election • November 6, 2018 • 7 am - 8 pm IT IS LEGAL TO TAKE THIS SAMPLE BALLOT INTO THE VOTING BOOTH Need A Ride to the Polls or more information Call 301-946-1000 BEN CARDIN United States Senator • Third-generation Marylander who has dedicated his life to public service. • Strident defender of the Chesapeake Bay. • Has fought to strengthen the middle class and improve our economy. • Held the line against Republican attempts to repeal Obamacare and deny coverage to individuals with pre-existing conditions. • Voted against the Trump tax cuts that gave permanent breaks to big corporations. • Taking on the NRA to pass a national ban on assault weapons, bump stocks and require universal background checks for all gun purchases. • Lead Democrat on the Senate Small Business Committee, where he works to empower minority-, women- and veteran-owned small businesses. • Fighting to safeguard civil rights and banish discrimination. • Leader in protecting Planned Parenthood, and defending women’s rights and human rights at home and globally. • Vocal defender of federal workers. • Working to ensure quality higher education is within reach. JAMIE RASKIN U.S. House of Representatives, District 8 • Currently represents Maryland’s 8th District in the U.S. House of Representatives. • Vice-Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee. • Senior Whip for the Democratic Caucus. • Vice-Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. • Was a constitutional law professor for a quarter-century at American University prior to being elected to Congress in 2016. • Served for a decade in the Maryland Senate where he was Majority Whip.
    [Show full text]
  • Your Elected Officials
    Who are your elected officials? THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS Check mdelect.net ° Is a non-partisan organization YOUR For more information about your elected ° Does not support or oppose any political party or officials go to: candidate montgomerycountydelegation.com ° Helps voters make informed decisions about montgomerycountymd.gov ELECTED montgomeryschoolsmd.org candidates and issues ° Advocates after study and member consensus REGISTRATION & VOTING ° Has been helping voters make informed OFFICIALS decisions since 1920 Voter registration forms are available at libraries, schools, social service agencies, Motor Vehicle Administration offices and the Montgomery THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF County Board of Elections. Register online or MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD (LWVMC) United States, obtain a form at elections.maryland.gov. ° Publishes Your Elected Officials, the Voters’ Registration closes 21 days before each election Guide for primary and general elections, and Maryland and for new registrations, for changes of name/ Fact Sheets on League studies and other topics address and for changing party affiliation. Same Montgomery County day registration is also possible at early voting ° Provides speakers on issues and ballot and on election day for new registrations only. questions to civic, business, youth and other groups If you are a registered voter, you will receive a ° Answers telephone and email questions from sample ballot indicating your polling place from the Board of Elections shortly before each voters before primary and general elections
    [Show full text]
  • Dear Environmental Protection Agency Employees
    December 14, 2017 (Updated May 7, 2018) Dear Environmental Protection Agency Employees, This letter is written to express support and thanks for the work you do every day to protect public health and the environment. We want you to know your dedication is valued by millions of Americans despite indication that the current Administration feels otherwise. Equally important, we also write to better inform members of the public who may not understand what a frontline role you play in preventing premature death, other avoidable health consequences, irreversible ecosystem damage, and yes, even climate change. States, Tribes, and EPA play vital roles in protecting Americans and the environment from the impacts of pollution. In the late 60s and early 70s, our Congressional leaders created a system of environmental protection based on the principle of cooperative federalism. For this reason, and today more than ever, the safeguarding of our health and natural resources depends on robust state and Tribal programs as well as a fully functioning EPA. In every part of this country, you provide vital expertise and guidance, in partnership with the states and Tribes, by setting pollution limits to protect public health and the environment, facilitating development of multi-state solutions to pollution, using sound science to inform and address complex environmental challenges, responding to extreme weather events and catastrophes, and assisting states and Tribes with monitoring, enforcement and compliance. All of these functions (and there are many more) creates a level playing field among states and industry, which in turn guarantees a level of protection against harmful pollution for all Americans, regardless of where you live.
    [Show full text]
  • Leading the Way: Montgomery County Confronts Climate Change Outcome Document
    LEADING THE WAY: MONTGOMERY COUNTY CONFRONTS CLIMATE CHANGE OUTCOME DOCUMENT Presented at a Public Briefing on September 12, 2018, Montgomery County Council Office Building, Rockville, Maryland, compiled by One Montgomery Green, Integrative Strategies Forum and Poolesville Green ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT This document was prepared following a “mini-summit” held on August 14, 2018, at the Silver Spring Civic Building in Silver Spring, Maryland. Participants, representing civic organizations and individuals with expertise in climate change, discussed critical aspects of the climate change challenge for the planet and for Montgomery County in particular. The document’s purpose is to reflect participants’ concerns and suggestions as documented at the August event and to raise these issues with Montgomery County leaders in order to inform them about programs and policies the residents would like to see implemented to address the growing threat of climate change. The organizers of these Global Climate Action Summit (GCAS) affiliate events (the “mini-summit” in August and the public briefing in September) present these suggestions from local residents to help inform County leaders about which bold and urgent actions are supported by some of their active constituents, many of whom have expertise on climate change-related issues. © 2018. This document was published on September 12, 2018, in Wheaton, Maryland. It was compiled, written and edited by staff of One Montgomery Green, Integrative Strategies Forum and Poolesville Green. For more information, contact One Montgomery Green at [email protected]. FOREWORD Montgomery County residents and businesses are rightfully worried about climate change and the ominous challenges it presents, to not only themselves, but future generations.
    [Show full text]
  • Montgomery County, MD Voters' Guide
    Montgomery County, MD Voters’ Guide Expanded version with all candidate responses except candidates for U.S. President 2020 Primary Election The League of Women Voters of Montgomery County, MD has published a Voters’ Guide for many years to assist citizens in their decision-making process as they prepare to vote. The League of Women Voters does not support or oppose any candidate or political party. This guide contains the candidates’ responses to all of the questions on issues asked by the League, for all offices on the 2020 Primary Election ballot except U.S. President (see pages 6- 8). The responses were downloaded directly from Vote411.org exactly as entered by the candidate, without any changes. This same information is available in an interactive online format at Vote411.org. This guide is offered as a supplement to the Voters’ Guide that was printed as a tabloid newspaper and available on the www.lwvmocomd.org website as a pdf. A few copies are available through the LWV Montgomery County office – please call 301-984-9585 or send an email to [email protected]. Because of the COVID-19 emergency situation that closes many of our usual distribution points (libraries, recreation and regional centers, etc.), most of the print copies were mailed to newly registered voters in Montgomery County and the League’s distribution list. Because of the large number of candidates for offices on the ballot, we found it necessary to abbreviate the information in the print version in order to keep it to a manageable, readable, and affordable length. The following guidelines were used for both the English and Spanish print editions: • For Presidential candidates, we print only the candidate names that will appear on the Maryland ballot, with web and social media sites, when available.
    [Show full text]
  • FEMALE DELEGATE CANDIDATES: Democrats May Vote for No More Than 3
    The League of Women Voters: Celebrating 100 Years The League was officially found- prove the education of their children. ed in Chicago in February 1920, just Frederick’s League was formally RATIFICATION OF THE six months before the 19th amend- founded on March 31, 1960. 19TH AMENDMENT ment was ratified and women won Men became members in 1974 The 19th Amendment the vote. Formed by the suffragists of and Lord Nickens, the noted civ- the National American Woman Suf- il rights leader in Frederick, was the granting women the right frage Association, the League began first African-American to join the to vote passed the US Con- as a “mighty political experiment” League. Today, Frederick’s League gress in June 1919—with designed to help 20 million women has approximately 100 members. the final hurdle for the 19th carry out their new responsibilities One of the Frederick League’s ear- Amendment: ratification by as voters. liest initiatives focused on improv- the states. As anti-suffrage In her address to the National ing voter services, such as lobbying groups still fought to oppose American Woman Suffrage Associa- tablish the United Nations and to en- the county to offer locations beyond ratification, suffrage leaders tion’s (NAWSA) 50th convention in sure U.S. participation. The League downtown Frederick to register to mobilized to continue their St. Louis, Missouri, in 1919, President was one of the first organizations in vote. The League continues to em- pressure campaign in the Carrie Chapman Catt proposed the the country officially recognized by phasize the importance of voting by states.
    [Show full text]
  • Takoma Park Newsletter Is Published 12 Sure
    February 2021 TAKOMAPARK A newsletter published by the City of Takoma Park, Maryland Volume 60, No. 2 n takomaparkmd.gov New businesses rise during pandemic By Sean Gossard While the pandemic continues across the country, more and more businesses struggle to survive in the New and improved new normal. But all news isn’t so Approved Tree bleak. Several new businesses have been able to open all around Takoma Species List released Park. From restaurants to hair stu- dios, entrepreneurs have been work- The Public Works Department is WHAT’S ing hard to provide jobs and services excited to announce the completion to residents in the city. of a new and improved Approved NEW? In May, Trattoria da Lina owner Tree Species List to guide tree plant- Marcello “Mitch” Minna opened ing efforts in the City. The list’s main Black History Program Carpe Diem Pizza at 7000 Carroll function is to specify which trees the Ave. “You give your word and tell City has approved for planting and Honoring Lee Jordan for replacement plantings required people you’ll do certain things,” said Hair studio Sugar Braids has implement- Details, page 4 for residents to receive Tree Removal ed precautions to keep both customers Permits. Our hope is that this list can NEW BUSINESSES n Page 3 and employees safe. Changes to Stormwater Utility also serve as a resource for all resi- Fee Rate Being Considered dents interested in planting trees. Details, page 9 The list documents a broad selec- tion of tree species native to Maryland COVID Vaccine Q & A as well as some found more broadly page 10 in the Eastern United States that are well-suited for planting in Takoma City Offices & Park.
    [Show full text]
  • Vitamin D: from Gestation to Adolescence in Health and Disease
    Vol. 77, Suppl. 3, 2019 Vitamin D: From Gestation to Adolescence in Health and Disease Editor Carlos Lifschitz , Buenos Aires Editorial Board Jatinder Bhatia, Augusta, GA Weili Lin, Chapel Hill, NC Carlos Lifschitz, Buenos Aires Andrew Prentice, Banjul/London Frank M. Ruemmele, Paris Hania Szajewska, Warsaw Supported by Basel • Freiburg • Hartford • Oxford • Bangkok • Dubai • Kuala Lumpur • Melbourne • Mexico City • Moscow • New Delhi • Paris • Shanghai • Tokyo https://www.nestlenutrition-institute.org Reprint of Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism Vol. 76, Suppl. 2, 2020 Sponsor Note This publication was supported by an unrestricted educational grant by the Nestlé Nutrition Institute. The institute is a not-for-profi t association which was created to provide latest medical and scientifi c information to health profes- sionals in the fi eld of pediatric and adult nutrition and nutrition-related disorders (available at www.nestlenutrition-institute.org). Any liability of the sponsors for the content of the papers is hereby expressly excluded. Disclosure Statement Editor C.L. was a member of the Faculty Board of the Nestlé Nutrition Institute at the time of manuscript preparation and has received honoraria from Danone, Mead Johnson Nutrition, the Nestlé Nutrition Institute and Wyeth. S. Karger Disclaimer All rights reserved. Medical and Scientifi c Publishers Th e statements, opinions and data contained in this publica- No part of this publication may be translated into other tion are solely those of the individual authors and contributors
    [Show full text]
  • Stated Opposition to Rep. Steve King's Farm Bill Amendment
    Stated Opposition to Rep. Steve King’s Farm Bill Amendment (Section 11312 to H.R. 2642) Governmental: National Consumers League Arkansas Attorney General Organic Consumers Association California Secretary of Agriculture The Pew Charitable Trusts County Executives of America Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine Fraternal Order of Police STOP Foodborne Illness Mississippi Attorney General Trust for America’s Health National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL) National Sheriffs’ Association Environmental: PLBA Housing Development Corp. (Gainesville, AL) Center for Biological Diversity Ulster County Executive (NY) Center for Environmental Health Citizens for a Clean Pompton Lakes (NJ) Agriculture and Food Processing: Clean Air Task Force Alabama State Association of Cooperatives Connecticut League of Conservation Voters Farm Forward Conservation Minnesota Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance Defenders of Wildlife Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund Edison Wetlands Association (NJ) Food Democracy Now! Environment America Friends of Family Farmers Environmental Working Group Georgia Organics Friends of the Earth U.S. Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy Green Cities California Minnesota Food Association Greenpeace USA National Organic Coalition Illinois Citizens for Clean Air & Water National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition Illinois Environmental Council Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA)-MA League of Conservation Voters (LCV) Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA)-VT Massachusetts League
    [Show full text]
  • The Montgomery County Sentinel May 30, 2019 Eflections
    2015, 2016, 2017 MDDC News Organization of the Year! Celebrating more than 160 years of service! Vol. 164, No. 51 • 50¢ SINCE 1855 Thursday, May 30, 2019 INSIDE Sherwood Takes 4A Crown Town hall meeting Police Accountability draws opposition to County councilmembers are making strides in creating legisla- tion concerning police- involved highway expansion deaths of residents in Montgomery County. pleted, in this case, through toll lanes By Jessica Ricks -- will go back to the private contrac- @jessica_ricks25 Page 3 tor to pay off their expenses. LANDOVER — Congressman The options for potential Anthony Brown (MD-04) held a changes to the two highways have town hall meeting on May 23 to give been narrowed down to seven alter- residents a chance to get more infor- natives. One involves not building mation as well as voice their con- any new lanes at all, and the rest in- cerns about the proposed plan to volve a combination of high-occu- widen and toll the Capital Beltway (I- pancy toll lanes, express toll lanes 495) and I-270. and high-occupancy vehicle lanes. The town hall, which drew a full The building of the new lanes would house at the Wayne K. Curry Sports require the removal of at least 30 and Learning Complex, followed a homes and businesses just off the series of public workshops on the highways. project held by the Federal Highway “What we’ve seen from the past Administration (FHWA) and the decades of research and infrastruc- ‘Princess Ida’ Maryland Department of Transporta- ture projects is the solution to conges- tion State Highway Administration tion and crumbling infrastructure is- “Princess Ida” will be per- (MDOT SHA) after their release of n’t widening highways,” Brown said formed June 9-16 at the F.
    [Show full text]
  • Progressive State Policies to Rebuild the Middle Class Report Summary
    AP PHOTO/DAVID GOLDMAN PHOTO/DAVID AP States at Work: Progressive State Policies to Rebuild the Middle Class Report Summary Karla Walter, Tom Hucker, and David Madland with Nick Bunker and David Sanchez March 2013 WWW.AMERICANPROGRESSACTION.ORG States at Work: Progressive State Policies to Rebuild the Middle Class Report Summary Karla Walter, Tom Hucker, and David Madland with Nick Bunker and David Sanchez March 2013 Contents 1 Introduction 5 Improve the quality of existing jobs 11 Ensure civil rights are respected so everyone can fully participate in the economy 17 Reform the tax code so that it raises sufficient revenue fairly and efficiently 21 Stabilize the housing market, ensure affordable rental housing, and help rebuild communities affected by the foreclosure crisis 27 Improve the quality of education for all students 31 Ensure affordable, quality health care for all 35 Rebuild America’s crumbling infrastructure 39 Strengthen local communities 43 Conclusion 45 About the authors and acknowledgements 49 Endnotes Introduction As our country inches its way out of the Great Recession and looks toward the future, it is clear that we need a new framework to guide our economic growth. The old trickle-down economic model of the past several decades is failing nearly everyone, save those at the very top. Incomes have been stagnating, inequality has deepened, and it has become harder to gain a foothold in the middle class. According to research from the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, the likelihood that a child born poor will rise into the middle class has declined significantly over recent decades.1 As a result, the United States has less economic mobility than almost every other high-income country in the world.2 Good government at every level—local, state, and federal—can play a critical role in rebuilding the American middle class and getting the country back on track to broadly shared prosperity.
    [Show full text]
  • December 11, 2013 Dear President Obama: As Environmentalists
    December 11, 2013 Dear President Obama: As environmentalists, conservationists, public health advocates, businesses, faith groups, and local and state officials representing hundreds of thousands of citizens along the Atlantic coast, we urge you to redouble Administrative support for offshore wind energy. Swift action is urgently needed to tap this low-carbon, plentiful American resource. Despite significant recent progress, there are still no wind energy projects off our coasts. Your continued leadership is essential to prioritize the development of pollution-free offshore wind power so that America can begin reaping its significant environmental and economic benefits. In your Climate Action Plan unveiled in June, you stressed the urgent need to ramp up domestic development of clean, renewable energy – including a commitment to double the amount of renewable energy generated on federally controlled land and waters. Offshore wind power offers a critical opportunity to meet this goal and achieve our nation’s environmental and energy objectives. Over 4,000 Gigawatts (GW) – four times the amount of electricity currently generated in America – of offshore wind energy generation potential has been identified along our coastlines. Along the Atlantic coast alone, there is an estimated 1,300 GW of energy generation potential – enough to power 85 million American homes and reduce carbon pollution by the equivalent of taking over 100 million cars off the road. Harnessing this massive domestic energy source is a key piece of the strategy for cutting carbon pollution and moving America towards a clean energy economy. America is at a turning point in our pursuit of offshore wind power. The Department of the Interior (DOI) recently held the nation’s first competitive auctions for offshore wind energy leases off the coasts of Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Virginia - areas that collectively could power 1.7 million homes.
    [Show full text]