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Dominic Butchko, Associate Policy Director, testified before Congress on February 18, 2022. Opposition To HB 695 – Environment – Climate Crisis Plan – Requirement (Better Together to Save Our Weather Act of 2022). This bill would require counties that they develop a comprehensive climate crisis plan. Most counties lack the necessary resources to implement the proposal.
From the MACo testimony: 
Multiple Maryland counties have adopted climate plans with different focus. The plans envisioned by HB 695 are much more extensive and comprehensive than any authority currently vested within county governing bodies. The plan proposes to make changes to not only public buildings, but also private vehicles and energy systems. Mandating each individual county to develop plans for mass transit strains the imagination – as no intra-county system would pass any reasonable cost/benefit analysis.
These county plans are required without the ability to modify their components. This is a sign of the wrong placement of these plans at county level. Counties lack the authority and resources to create a product as detailed as required by HB 695.
MACo will be testifying on the bill’s crossfile, SB 552On February 24, 2022.
More on MACo’s Advocacy:
Follow MACo’s advocacy efforts during the 2022 legislative session on MACo’s Legislative Tracking Database.
Learn more about MACo’s 2022 Legislative Initiatives.
Read more General Assembly News on MACo’s Conduit Street blog.
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