Maryland environmental advocates can celebrate the close of this week’s landmark General Assembly session in Annapolis after two years filled with frustration.
Over the course of 90 day, Maryland legislators passed climate change legislation that made it mandatory for Maryland to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by more than any other state. They also passed a host of green bills, including measures to reduce environmental injustices, increase water pollution enforcement, and boost efforts for the restoration of the Chesapeake Bays declining oyster population.
It was a strong session when you consider the many topics and the many areas where we saw improvements in the legislature, stated Josh Kurtz, Chesapeake Bay Foundations Maryland executive Director.
Activism felt relieved by the outpouring legislation this year, as many of the bills they supported were dissolved in 2020, when COVID-19 was at its peak. The Assembly session was cut short,And In 2021, againWhen pandemic precautions prevented the Assembly from operating in full mode, it limited opportunities to meet legislators.
Annapolis saw a diverse and growing number of supporters this year, who pressed for environmental causes and expressed frustration at inaction regarding critical and long-standing issues such as climate change enforcement and pollution.
Climate solutions
The most important environmental bill that was passed this year was the Climate Solutions Now ActThe omnibus measure, which advocates claim has returned Maryland to the top ranking of states that address global climate change. The law calls to reduce climate-warming carbon emissions 60% by 2031, an unmatched goal in the near term, and to achieve net zero emissions by 2045.
We have just put a stake into the ground that says that we are going to be leaders in climate change [and]Kim Coble is the executive director of Maryland League of Conservation Voters. She stated that the country must reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
These measures, which are more than 100 pages long, outline a range of initiatives to help achieve those goals. All state facilities must get at least 75% electricity from low- or zero-carbon sources by 2030. The state must also electrify its cars fleet by 2031, and light-duty trucks by 2030.
The law encourages local school boards electrify their bus fleets. A pilot financing scheme is offered through partnerships with utilities. Diesel or gas-powered buses are not allowed after 2024.
Another provision provided for the creation of a climate corps to support youth and young adults in climate mitigation projects. They also created a $5 million fund to support climate projects and directed 40% of it towards low- to moderate-income areas. This is an attempt to combat inequities in how climate changes are felt and addressed.
Similar, but less comprehensive, climate change legislation has failed to pass in each of its previous two years. The measure passed both the Democrat-dominated House of Representatives and Senate by large margins. However, some of its most controversial elements were removed or diluted so that it could be sent to the Republican Governor. Larry Hogan was there in time to repeal his Expected veto.
Before it passed either chamber, Hogan had attacked the bill as a controversial and reckless energy tax. However, when the amended bill arrived on his desk, Hogan decided to sign it without signing it. He also stated that although he was disappointed by the politically motivated legislation, some of its changes were encouraging.
One of the most significant of these changes was the removal of the requirement that all new buildings larger than a certain size in the state must be all-electric. The state Climate Change Commission recommended that such a transition be made, citing the large greenhouse gas emissions from cooling and heating buildings. This provision was met with strong opposition from labor groups, utilities, natural gas industry, utilities and real estate interests. Instead of allowing the opposition to continue, lawmakers decided to conduct a 15-month study on the feasibility of converting to an all-electric building code.
Climate activists also objected to the recognition of nuclear energy as a carbon-free source of energy and the elimination language that allows localities to go beyond state laws to reduce emissions from buildings. Montgomery County is currently considering such legislation.
Victoria Venable, Maryland director for the Chesapeake Climate Action Network said that members of her group were extremely disappointed by the removals of provisions regarding electrifying buildings. She called the overall bill a significant step forward despite that and other weakening modifications.
Is it enough to get us there 100 percent? Coble asked the conservation leagues Coble. Yes, it is not. There is still much to do, but this bill provides a solid foundation for the state to move forward.
Reduce pollution inequalities
One bill that passed this year addresses long-standing complaints that polluting facilities are concentrated in low-income communities of colour. It requires applicants for air or water pollution permits to disclose any existing pollution sources and to inform affected communities early in their permitting process.
For years, advocates tried unsuccessfully to get legislators to require regulators that they base permits decisions on the cumulative effects of a proposed polluting source over existing ones. Betsy Nicholas (executive director of Waterkeepers Chesapeake) said that while this bill gives communities an opportunity to speak out, it does not dictate any outcome. It is just providing greater public noticeEarly detection and awareness [permitting] process.
Tightening enforcement
Some glaring examples of this behavior have prompted me to take action. enforcement miscuesLegislators in Maryland passed legislation last year requiring the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDDE) to increase inspections of facilities that discharge waste to the state’s rivers and streams. The legislation, which was passed without Hogan’s signature, also imposes penalties for noncompliance. It directs regulators and requires them to update dozens so-called zombie permits, which have allowed facilities to continue to operate for years despite having outdated treatment requirements.
After breaking of the news, the bill was submitted. Conditions that are rapidly deterioratingBaltimore has the two largest wastewater treatment plants in the state. Illegal discharges are also allowed at the Valley ProteinsThe Eastern Shore poultry-rendering facility, which has been in operation since 2006 on a permit that has not been updated since 2006.
Other environmental measures
Rebuilding oyster populationsMaryland’s lawmakers took action to boost the state oyster restoration effortsBy increasing hatchery capacity, reforming oystershell recycling programs, surveying Bay bottom for additional shell sources, and researching other materials for building oyster reefs. The legislation also required that the focus be on reviving oyster population in Eastern Bay. $2,000,000 per year would be divided between rebuilding habitat for wild fishery and building new reefs within sanctuaries. Hogan has always resisted what he considered unwarranted legislative interference in fisheries management. This measure, which was based on the recommendations of the Oyster Advisory Commission states, was passed without his signature.
Boosting renewable energy: Lawmakers passed legislation to expand the development of community solar projects that sell subscriptions for moderate-size solar installations to households or businesses, which then receive credit on their power bills for their share of the electricity generated. Another bill establishes a grant program that funds resiliency centers where solar panels or batteries can be used to help low- and moderate-income households weather power cuts. Another bill reinstated tax credit for electric vehicles.
Toxic contaminantsLegislators ban the sale of rugs and food packaging made of paper that contain PFAS. This is a group highly persistent chemicals widely used for its stain-resistant and water-resistant qualities. The bill also prohibits the use of PFAS-containing firefighting foams. This has resulted in contamination of groundwater, streams, and drinking water wells close to military bases, airports, and fire training facilities. Similar legislation failed last time, but this year it passed unanimously. Emily Scarr from Maryland’s Public Interest Research Group attributed this turnaround to strong support by firefighters who are concerned about their health in dealing with PFAS-laden mousse. Another bill bans driveway sealants made of coal tar. This has been linked with stream and fish contamination.
Credit: Dave Harp / Bay Journal Media
Patuxent River:Fred Tutman, Patuxent Riverkeeper, has been reinstated to his seat on the Patuxent River Commission. This commission oversees the health and welfare of Maryland’s only major Bay tributary. After a lawsuit, lawmakers restored him to the commission and expanded it. Hogan administration shake-upTutman, a veteran member, was replaced. They had been at odds with state planning staff when they tried to get the panel to speak against development projects they felt would harm water quality along the 110-mile river.
Addressing the park’s needs: Lawmakers voted in favor of significantly increasing funding for the development and maintenance of state parks. These parks have suffered from poor infrastructure and overcrowding for many years. The Great Maryland Outdoors Act, which was also introduced, increases funding for rural and farm preservation.
Urban agriculture is growing: The new legislation will grant grants and technical support to urban farmers who often face difficulties accessing affordable energy and water for growing and marketing their food.
Old-growth forests: Lawmakers passed a bill that prohibits logging patches of public woodlands that are 100 years old or more, but only after limiting its protection to state parks and wildlife management areas.
Bills that didn’t make the cut
Credit: Dave Harp/ Bay Journal Media
Not all environmental causes are successful. A state proposal Constitutional amendmentThat would have guaranteed Marylanders the right of a healthy and sustainable environment was rejected for the fourth consecutive year.
Another proposal to eliminate clean-energy subsidies in waste incineration was also defeated. A bill that would have made Maryland commit to protecting 30% of its land from development by the end 2040 was also rejected by committee. Other bills that were defeated were designed to curb single-use plastic and encourage recycling.
Josh Tulkin (director of Maryland Sierra Clubs), said that environmental advocates were particularly frustrated by the failure to include an environmental rights amendment. Industry groups won points with legislators by warning that the language of the amendments could lead to a flood of litigation, despite the fact that there is a growing number of supporters for the measure.
Tulkin expressed concern that too much of this would be left up to the courts. But, Tulkin said that there is also a need to codify these rights.
Tulkin and others, however, said that they were encouraged by the announcement. Number of green billsIt passed this year. He said that environmental activists must convince voters about the benefits of climate legislation to ensure that they are re-elected in the next elections to protect these gains and push for more.
This article was first published on BayJournal.com.
