Rob Garagiola.
To renewable energy supporters in Maryland, Rob has delivered a cleaner energy future for Maryland, more solar jobs, and energy efficiency.
“Maryland Senator Garagiola has consistently championed all solar friendly legislation and often as the sole sponsor,” says Francis Hodsoll, Executive Director of the Maryland-DC-Virginia Solar Energy Industries Association (MDV-SEIA). “Rob understands the need to invest in the future of energy supply and the associated economic and environmental benefits. If you support a sustainable future and the economic growth from investments in clean, new energy technologies, we urge you to support Rob’s campaign for Congress.”
Rob received a degree in Political Science in 1994 from Rutger’s University, and enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve shorty after graduation. He served as a Sergeant in the 450th Civil Affairs Battalion (Airborne) and in the 150th JAG Detachment. A strong leader and thinker, Rob also earned his J.D. from George Washington University’s Law School in 2001. After first being elected as a Maryland State Senator in 2002, Garagiola became the Maryland Senate Majority Leader in 2011. Garagiola has been a member of numerous committees, including the Finance Committee, the Joint Committee on Federal Relations, Joint Information Technology Committee, and the Spending Affordability Committee, among others.
Garagiola has served on the Task Force on Renewable Alternative Fuels, and he has been a tremendous leader in lessening Maryland’s dependence on fossil fuels and growing the number of green jobs in Maryland. Chesapeake Climate Action Network named Rob a Climate Champion in 2011, and the Maryland Clean Energy Center awarded Garagiola with the Legislative Leadership Award in 2011. In addition, Garagiola has received MDV-SEIA’s Solar Energy Champion numerous times.
Let’s go back in time and take a look at some of the major milestones for solar in Maryland.
Remember the Solar Energy Grant Program?
Garagiola sponsored it.
The solar carve out in the Renewable Portfolio Standard?
Yep, Garagiola sponsored it.
That time they included solar hot water heating systems as an eligible resource in the RPS?
Garagiola was there, standing behind the legislation.
How about the legislation requiring the Maryland state government to reduce its own energy consumption by 10% from 2005 levels by 2010?
You guessed it. Garagiola was a sponsor.
Project VoteSmart offers a quote from the Interstate Renewable Energy Council regarding Rob’s dedication, “Beginning with his development of the state’s solar grant program and through to 2007, Senator Garagiola spearheaded the effort for a historic ‘all in one’ bill — Maryland’s Senate Bill 595 — bringing interconnection, net metering, and a gigawatts-class best practices solar standard. From square one through a tough fight in the dramatic final hours, Senator Garagiola was a true leader. More than any other individual, his technical savvy, personal conviction, and tactical brilliance brought Maryland from the ‘back of the pack’ to a position of national leadership.”
Maryland is a better place because of Rob’s leadership, and the solar industry’s growth in Maryland is just one instance of how his leadership has brought about positive change for the state.
Show your support for Rob Garagiola in 2012.
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