Accomplishments

2007: Maryland PIRG students worked on a campaign to protect Maryland's open spaces. When the Governor introduced his budget on January 19th, he remained true to his pledge and didn't divert any funding from Program Open Space and the other land conservation programs.

2007: Maryland PIRG students worked with a national coalition to convince the U.S. House of Representatives to pass HR 5, which would cut in half the interest rate on student loans.  The bill passed with overwhelming bipartisan support, by a vote of 356 to 71.  The bill would lower interest rates over five years on subsidized Stafford student loans, which are used overwhelmingly by students from low- and middle-income families.  This would save the average low or middle-income borrower starting school in 2007 $2,300 in debt.

2006:  Maryland PIRG students worked to pass the Healthy Air Act, the strongest state law in the country to reduce pollution from the dirtiest coal-fired power plants.  Students gathered hundreds of signatures to local legislators and erected a 20-foot tall inflatable power plant on Hornbake Mall to raise awareness about the campaign.

2005:  Maryland PIRG students in the Hunger and Homelessness campaign raised over $8000 to send a group of 30 students to the Biloxi, Mississippi region to help with Hurricane Katrina Relief efforts.  The students spent 10 days in the region, helping with debris cleanup, rebuilding houses, and serving those displaced by this disaster.

2005:  Maryland PIRG students worked with a national coalition to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge from efforts to drill for oil and gas in its pristine wilderness.

2004:  Maryland PIRG and the UMVotes coalition registered 5,000 students in College Park to vote in the Fall 2004 election. The effort helped result in a 11% increase in turnout for 18 to 24 year old voters from the 2000 to the 2004 election.

2004:  With the help of state senator John Giannetti, Maryland PIRG secured $32,000 from the state legislature to fund recycling bins for McKeldin Mall and Fraternity Row.  They are now working with Facilities Management to coordinate the placement of these bins.