Environment Maryland Applauds Report, Urges Legislature to Turn Plan into Legislation in 2009
ANNAPOLIS—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.”
