John -
Last week, tens of thousands of climate activists marched in the streets for Climate Week in NYC. But that wasn't the only thing our climate movement made happen:
The battle against climate-wrecking utility companies continued, John.
All over the country, utility companies are using the profits from our utility bills to invest in fossil fuels and grow their political power to block the transition to renewable energy. What makes this even worse is that, as consumers, many of us have no choice in where the energy that powers our electricity, water, and heat comes from.
That's why we are mobilizing our climate movement to fight back against their greed and push utility companies to rapidly transition to renewable energy.
We’ll share more about 350.org's campaign to push utility companies off fossil fuels and onto renewable energy in a moment.
Right now, utility companies are busy blocking renewable energy projects by denying permits and manipulating bureaucracy.
Why? The short answer is to protect their profits.
Many utility companies operate in the same way as fossil fuel companies: they care about making a profit for themselves and their shareholders, no matter at what cost to the planet.
They know that renewable energy is cheaper and safer to use, which means less rate hikes and increases for their customers, and less profit for them and their shareholders. So when oil and gas companies go to utility companies and ask for money for new fossil energy plants, they say yes.
Utility companies will ruthlessly cut off people's electricity. In Maine, 94,000 households received disconnect notices this spring for falling behind on electric bill payments after rates were increased.
In Maryland, utility company Baltimore Gas & Electric (BGE) is proposing a massive rate increase that would increase consumers’ bills by over $800 per year.1 This outrageous rate hike would disproportionately impact the predominantly Black city of Baltimore, where low-income residents must use more than 11% of their income to pay for energy costs. This is a racial, economic, and climate justice issue.
That’s why, to power up a renewable energy transition rooted in justice, we’re bringing the fight directly to utility companies.
There's no doubt that this is going to be a huge battle for the climate movement. But I know that if we come together, it's a battle we can win.
Thank you for taking action on this critical campaign today.
In solidarity,
Taylor Smith-Hams
US Campaigner
350.org
350.org's long-term partner CREDO Mobile has selected 350.org to be one of three non-profits eligible to receive a portion of a $100,000 grant. The portion of the grant that we receive depends on how many votes we get during the month of September.
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350.org is a global movement that fights for a just and equitable world by stopping the fossil fuel industry from continuing to destroy our climate.