Global Warming and Clean Energy
Developing clean energy will have the immediate benefits of saving money through reduced energy use and increasing jobs through developing clean energy industries in the state, while also reducing our global warming pollution. With 3100 miles of coastline and the nation’s fourth highest proportion of low-lying land, Maryland will be disproportionately impacted by global warming. Sea levels are on the rise, weather patterns are increasingly irregular, and storms are projected to become more powerful.
- Global Warming Solutions Act – Create an aggressive timeline for state agencies to implement cost-effective clean energy policies. Commit to reducing global warming pollution 25% by 2020 and 90% by 2050. Establish a cap-and-trade system to provide flexibility for companies covered by the regulations.
- Require Maryland to reduce its per capita energy use 15 percent by 2015. Electric utilities would be responsible for managing energy efficiency programs to meet that target. Utilities would submit plans to the Public Service Commission, which would ensure that the programs are cost-effective and allow utilities to recover costs over time.
- Renewable Electricity Portfolio Standard (RPS) – Maryland’s current standard has not been effective at enabling new wind and biomass generation. Increase the requirement so that 20% of Maryland’s electricity must come from renewable sources by 2020, stipulate that the renewable energy must come from Maryland or adjacent states, and require that renewable energy must come from facilities built since the law first took effect.
- Improve standards and incentives for green buildings. Require that all new state facilities are constructed with low-energy design techniques and improve the incentives for private facilities.
Water Quality and the Chesapeake Bay
Each year, there is a dead zone in the Chesapeake Bay in which almost nothing can survive. In recent years, the dead zone has encompassed more than a third of the bay. This pollution comes from farmland runoff, stormwater runoff from cities and suburbs, sewage treatment plants, and air pollution.
- Update the Critical Area Act to strengthen protection of the Chesapeake Bay shoreline. Restrict the ability of developers to receive exemptions and increase enforcement actions against illegal activities.
- Bay Fund – During the November special session, the General Assembly allocated $50 million to the Chesapeake Bay 2010 Trust Fund. Additional legislation is needed to establish an open, transparent, and accountable system for appropriating those funds according to scientific analysis for the greatest reduction in pollution.
- Establish restrictions for the disposal of fly ash from coal-fired power plants. Strong standards should ensure that landfills do not contaminate local drinking water supplies.
Land Preservation and Smart Growth
In the next two decades, Maryland’s population is projected to grow by 1.5 million people. Developers have far too much influence on the growth management process, leading to sprawling growth patterns that consume open space and worsen congestion. Future growth should involve good housing near transit hubs and employment centers and put jobs where there are currently only homes.
- Increase funding for transit system improvements and remove barriers to transit-oriented development. Make transit our first response to transportation challenges created by the explosive growth stemming from BRAC.
- Update the Forest Conservation Act to increase protections for forests. Establish a standard of no net loss of forest acreage statewide.
- Ensure that funds collected for Program Open Space are used for their intended purpose – preserving land.