Stopping Wasteful Energy Practices

In 2008, Maryland PIRG led the effort to enact a statewide energy efficiency goal that ensures utility companies will help consumers save electricity. By meeting the goal, Maryland consumers will save $4.1 billion on energy costs.

Protecting Children’s Health

In the wake of widespread toy recalls in 2007, Maryland PIRG overcame powerful opposition when we helped pass a bill that prevents the sale or manufacture of toys with dangerous levels of lead.

Making Our Votes Count

When Marylanders cast their vote for members of Congress in 2010, that vote will be backed up by a voter-verified paper record thanks in part to work by Maryland PIRG. We brought together a coalition to enact the change to more secure machines in 2007 and watchdogged the budget process in 2008 to make sure the transition was funded.

Despite Big Tobacco, Winning Smoke-Free Restaurants

In 2007, Maryland PIRG helped make all Baltimore workplaces, including restaurants and bars, smoke-free. Passage of this legislation at the local level proved to be the tipping point for statewide public health legislation.

Demanding A Smart Energy Future

In addition to leading a grassroots effort to challenge Constellation’s plans to build a new nuclear reactor in Maryland, we published “Powering Maryland’s Future,” a study that shows how clean energy outperforms nuclear power in delivering reliable, safe and affordable electricity.

Reducing Health Care Costs

Maryland PIRG drew attention to how wasteful spending and insurance company profiteering drive up health care costs through a report we released in 2009. Our findings: without reforms, premiums and deductibles for health care in Maryland will nearly double by 2016.

Increasing Government Transparency

Maryland PIRG helped pass a bipartisan bill to establish a publicly available, easy-to-use, searchable online database that discloses state subsidies and spending. We call it “Google government.”

Smarter Energy Use

In 2008, Maryland PIRG helped pass legislation that provides more than $17 million per year to low and moderate income households to help them lower their energy use through common-sense measures, such as weatherization and energy efficient lights.

Confronting Data Dealers & Identity Theft

On Jan. 1 2008, a hard-fought victory giving consumers the ability to protect their credit reports with a password was realized when Maryland PIRG-backed security freeze legislation took effect.