Maryland Enacts Ambitious Climate Protection Law

Thursday the governor joined Senate President Thomas Mike Miller Jr. and House Speaker Michael Busch, all Democrats, to enact the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Act and his "Smart, Green and Growing" legislative package to protect Maryland's environment and natural resources and to promote sustainable growth in Maryland.

"Even in this tough economy, we have not wavered from our commitment to put Maryland families first by taking action to protect the public health and build a more sustainable environment for future generations of Marylanders," said Governor O'Malley.

From left, Senate President Thomas Mike Miller Jr., Governor Martin O'Malley, and House Speaker Michael Busch at signing of climate protection law. (Photo courtesy Office of the Governor)

"The Chesapeake Bay and Maryland's natural resources will be our legacy," said Miller, who has served as Senate president since 1987. "We must do everything in our power to leave them in better shape for the next generation."

"A healthy environment is the most precious gift we can leave future generations," said Busch. "I commend the governor and the legislature for the work this session and this term to protect green space, improve air quality and reduce water pollution."

Legislation in the package will fund improved regulation of coal ash and require proposed safe, beneficial uses for coal combustion byproducts. Measures contained in the package reduce nitrogen pollution from septic systems in the Critical Areas, recycle mercury switches in vehicles, and give counties the right to recover environmental cleanup and monitoring costs.

The Smart, Green, and Growing legislation agenda promotes rapid transit-oriented development, reliable local planning choices, and a clear understanding of the impact of development on the natural environment.

The agenda also includes the establishment of aquaculture enterprise zones for shellfish growers considering operations in Maryland.

The Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Act, SB 278/HB 315, mandates the strongest economy-wide reduction in global warming pollution of any climate bill in the country.

"This is a landmark moment for Maryland and sends an urgent message to the federal government," said Mike Tidwell, director of the nonprofit Chesapeake Climate Action Network.

"Maryland has done all it can do, now it's time for Congress to enact a nationwide cap on carbon," he said.

The new law requires the state to cut greenhouse gas emissions 25 percent below 2006 levels by 2020 and directs the Maryland Department of the Environment to craft a plan and a timeline to achieve that goal.

With this measure, Maryland joins six states in enacting a legally binding goal for emissions reductions. Maryland's short term target is the strongest of all the states with legislative commitments to reduce pollution.

Maryland's Warrior Run cogeneration plant burns coal to produce electricity and food-grade carbon dioxide. The plant produces 370,000 tons of coal ash each year. (Photo courtesy Alstom)

Governor O'Malley's signing of the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Act today was the culmination of years of sustained efforts from citizens, business leaders, environmental groups, and religious and health organizations.

The diverse coalition that formed to raise awareness of Maryland's climate bill — called the Alliance for Global Warming Solutions — included the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, Environment Maryland, the Maryland Student Climate Coalition, the Chesapeake Sustainable Business Alliance, Physicians for Social Responsibility, the Lutheran Office on Public Policy, Maryland League of Conservation Voters, the Maryland chapter of the Sierra Club, and other groups.

Leaders within the Maryland climate movement spent months in talks to work out an effective, fair agreement with union and business leaders. The legislation, which exempts manufacturers from contributing to the required 25 percent reduction, will be up for review by the legislature in 2016.

"In Maryland, we emit 109 million tons of global warming pollution every year, and we are particularly vulnerable to rising sea levels and more severe storms because we have a lot of coastline and low-lying land," says Environment Maryland.

The coast of the Chesapeake Bay is particularly vulnerable to sea level rise, given its low slope, the group says. The problem in Maryland is exacerbated by the gradual sinking of land due to geological forces. Sea level rise already consumes at least 260 acres of coastal land in Maryland each year and large parts of the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge are already flooded.

Scientists estimate that if greenhouse gas emissions continue to increase at the present rate, sea level will rise by at least two feet along Maryland's 7,000 miles of shoreline during this century.

Not only will islands and wetlands disappear even more rapidly than they have during the 20th century, scientists warn, but human settlements from coastal communities to the oldest parts of the state's historic port cities will be at increasing risk, particularly during storm surges that are likely to intensify.

Copyright Environment News Service (ENS) 2009. All rights reserved.