Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act Makes Maryland a National Leader in Curbing Global Warming Pollution and Fostering a Clean Energy Economy
The Maryland General Assembly today gave final passage to the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act. The bill requires the state to reduce its global warming pollution to 25 percent below 2006 levels by 2020. It directs the Maryland Department of the Environment to finalize regulations by 2012 to achieve those reductions.
Gov. Martin O’Malley is a lead sponsor, so will certainly sign the bill. The primary legislative sponsors are Sen. Paul Pinsky (Prince George’s) and Del. Kumar Barve (Montgomery).
“It took three years to pass, but that just shows it’s a strong policy worth fighting for,” said Environment Maryland State Director Brad Heavner. “We thank all of our partners who helped with this tremendous effort.”
The legislation was aided by an interest in creating new green jobs in the clean energy and smart transportation sectors. The Maryland Commission on Climate Change determined in a report released last August that the policies to reduce global warming pollution by 25 percent will provide a $2 billion boost to the state economy. Gov. O’Malley has set a goal of creating 100,000 green jobs in Maryland by 2015.
Laws passed in recent years, such as the Healthy Air Act, the Clean Cars Act, and the EmPower Maryland energy efficiency program, will achieve more than half of the reductions required by this bill. The remainder would be realized through measures such as increased transportation choices, recycling, and incentives for green buildings. The commission has made 42 policy recommendations to reduce the state’s global warming pollution.
“This new law puts us at the forefront of the national and international effort to address the reality of global warming,” said Tommy Landers, Policy Advocate. “At the same time, it will put us ahead of the curve in the transition to a revitalized economy fueled by clean, homegrown energy.”
Passage of a pollution reduction mandate in Maryland boosts efforts in Washington to pass federal global warming legislation. The state joins six other states with legislative commitments to reduce pollution – New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, California, Washington and Hawaii. The 25 percent reduction in Maryland is the largest commitment of any of those states.
The bill has been hotly debated in Maryland for the past two years. In the 2007 legislative session, the bill was introduced but did not come to a vote. Last year, an amended version passed the Senate, but the bill was voted down in the House Economic Matters Committee.
A coalition called the Alliance for Global Warming Solutions helped manage the campaign. Groups like Chesapeake Climate Action Network and the Maryland Student Climate Coalition provided much needed grassroots organizing. The Chesapeake Sustainable Business Alliance demonstrated business support. Physicians for Social Responsibility reminded everyone of the health impacts of global warming. The Lutheran Office on Public Policy coordinated religious voices. Maryland League of Conservation Voters, the Maryland chapter of the Sierra Club, and other environmental groups were essential parts of the team.
“Addressing global warming is really in everyone’s best interests, and the diverse coalition in Maryland demonstrates that,” added Landers.
