Runoff pollution measure gains ground

During this year’s legislative session, Environment Maryland led a coalition effort to pass a bill to reduce runoff pollution into the Chesapeake Bay. The Stormwater Management Act requires developers to use low-impact design techniques that allow rainwater to filter through the soil instead of washing pollutants into nearby waterways.

Since then, we have been hard at work helping to craft the regulations that will put the new law into place. Many of the details aren’t finalized, including which low-impact designs will be promoted and how the requirements will be enforced.

Environment Maryland staff have been meeting regularly with our closest allies to compile research. We are participating in stakeholder meetings led by the Maryland Department of the Environment and attended by local government officials, developers and water quality experts.

Energy forum helps set the course

Gov. O’Malley launched the EmPOWER Maryland initiative on July 2, committing to a 15 percent reduction in per capita electricity usage in Maryland by 2015—a 5 percent reduction in total statewide consumption.

To help come up with a plan, the governor hosted an energy forum on July 25. Environment Maryland’s Brad Heavner was one of just 24 people invited to participate in a moderated discussion on opportunities to improve our electricity system.

The forum was attended by more than 200 policy-makers and advocates and was widely covered by the media. Ideas from the forum are now being considered for the legislative package of the O’Malley administration.

California moves to promote cleaner fuels

Word count: 125. In January, the Schwarzenegger administration took an important step in California’s effort to reduce global warming pollution by announcing that his administration would develop a policy to reduce global warming emissions from vehicle fuels 10 percent by 2020.

Known as a “low carbon fuel standard,” the policy is intended to reduce global warming pollution by 13 million tons in 2020, the equivalent of taking 3 million cars off the road.

“For Californians this policy will mean renewable fuels like next generation ethanol and biodiesel at our local gas stations, and new plug-in hybrids and hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles in our driveways,” said Advocate Jason Barbose.

The transportation sector accounts for 40 percent of California’s global warming pollution. Environment California is working to ensure that the fuel standard promotes fuels with the greatest environmental benefits.

Unless we take action soon, Lake Tahoe may lose its famed clarity.

Congress moves towards a new energy future

Word count: 125. As part of her “First 100 Hours” agenda, Speaker Nancy Pelosi called for repealing $14 billion in tax breaks to Big Oil, and investing the money in renewable energy, with HR 6, the CLEAN Energy Act of 2007.  Newly-elected Rep. Jerry McNerney (Pleasanton) was one of the lead sponsors on the bill, and in a few short weeks has shown that Congress is ready to start solving our energy problems.

Rep. McNerney is also a lead sponsor on HR 969, the Renewable Electricity Standard, which would require that the country mandate that 20 percent of our electricity come from renewable sources by 2020.  As we look ahead to the rest of the 110th Congress, Environment California will continue to build support for HR 969.