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New Laws Cover Vehicle Emissions, Water Pollution, Solar Power

Annapolis – Gov. Martin O’Malley signed several landmark environmental bills today.  The new laws include the Clean Cars Act, the Stormwater Management Act, and legislation to increase solar power in Maryland.

“The governor and legislative leaders deserve immense credit for standing up for our health and the environment,” said Environment Maryland State Director Brad Heavner.

Soon after taking office, Gov. Martin O’Malley became a primary sponsor of the Clean Cars Act and helped to usher it through the legislature. Sen. Brian Frosh and Del. Elizabeth Bobo were the primary legislative sponsors. Maryland now joins eleven other states that have adopted standards for new cars and trucks that are stricter than the federal standards.

The Clean Cars Act will reduce global warming pollution by 4.4 million tons per year by 2016 when it is fully phased in. It will also reduce smog-forming pollution by 3600 tons per year and cancer-causing pollution by 100 tons per year by 2025 compared to federal standards.

The program adds carbon dioxide, the primary cause of global warming, to the list of pollutants that are covered by vehicle emission standards. It also strengthens the standards for other pollutants and requires that a percentage of new cars sold each year be advanced technology vehicles such as hybrids.

The Stormwater Management Act requires developers to use low-impact design techniques to minimize runoff pollution whenever possible.  Local governments will update their zoning codes to allow for some environmentally friendly practices that are often prohibited by outdated regulations.

The solar power law requires that 0.005 percent of the state’s electricity must come from solar power in 2008, gradually increasing to two percent by 2022.  In all, this will create 1,500 MW of solar power in Maryland, the amount of electricity that would come from two large power plants.  This now stands as the third strongest solar power law in the country.

Also signed today were bills to prohibit phosphorus in dishwashing detergent and to re-establish the state Green Buildings Council.

“It’s a great day for Maryland’s environment,” said Heavner. “We’ve been considering some of these policies for years, and now they are finally the law.”

Traditionally, the General Assembly tackles smaller bills during the first year of a four-year legislative cycle, as new legislators find their feet and common priorities are developed.  Indeed, the most far-reaching environmental bills of the session did not pass.  These include the Green Fund, which would generate revenue to clean up the Chesapeake Bay, and the Global Warming Solutions Act, which would establish a statewide cap on greenhouse gas emissions.

“The is about the best warm-up year we could hope for,” said Heavner.  “We look forward to building on these successes next year.”