Environment Maryland Applauds Report, Urges Legislature to Turn Plan into Legislation in 2009
Gov. Martin O’Malley’s special Maryland Commission on
Climate Change released its final report today, recommending ambitious
but achievable cuts in the state’s global warming pollution. The
official “Maryland Climate Action Plan” puts Maryland on track to lead
the nation in clean, efficient energy, meanwhile spurring economic
growth well into the future.
Environment Maryland applauds the report as a bold blueprint for
action. The report demonstrates the feasibility of aggressive
reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, including reductions of at
least 25 percent below 2006 levels by 2020. These targets match what
scientists say is necessary to avoid the worst effects of global
warming.
Most notably, the report found that implementing strong efficiency
standards and investing in clean energy will actually save Maryland
money.
“Thanks to a lot of work by a lot of people, we now have a clear
roadmap of how to address our global warming pollution,” said Brad
Heavner, Director of Environment Maryland. “The report’s bottom line is
that we will save money by implementing these policies.”
Environment Maryland urges the General Assembly and the Governor to
use this report as a springboard to turn the recommendations into
legislation this year.
“As the report explains, we need to get to work right away,” said
Tommy Landers, policy associate with Environment Maryland. “Now is the
time to turn this plan into action.”
