Jobs and the Economy
Global warming is the greatest environmental challenge of our time, but could also be the driving force to stimulate productive investment in clean energy and smart transportation industries. Everything we do to address global warming will have immediate benefits to the state – creating jobs, lowering costs to consumers and businesses through energy efficiency upgrades, making our power system more reliable by diversifying our energy sources, and pushing us to get serious about smart growth.
It is the intent of this bill to create new jobs in clean energy industries while maintaining manufacturing jobs. Being ahead of the curve will help Maryland have a strong economy as the world moves toward universal carbon reductions.
Making Smart Plans Now
Controlling global warming pollution is a reality for the future. No longer can we emit carbon dioxide without limits and pretend it is not pollution. The longer we wait, the more difficult it will be to transition to low-emissions technology.
The best thing we can do right now is to develop a long-term plan for converting to clean energy systems.
This bill will help us plan our clean energy and smart transportation development and phase it in appropriately. Many energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies require increased start-up costs but save money over time. As long as we roll in the starting dates of different programs rather than starting them all at once, we will be strengthening our economy as we make the conversion.
Maryland Has Many Natural Strengths
Maryland can cash in on the clean energy revolution. We have a well educated workforce. We have top notch research institutions. We are close to the national capital and therefore are skilled at landing federal grants.
We should build on our strengths and help clean energy industries thrive in our state. A recent report funded by the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development found that clean energy companies could provide 144,000 new jobs in Maryland. We can develop expertise that we sell to other states, with consultants leading initiatives and contract workers providing labor.
Setting a Precedent
Policies to address global warming are under debate in national and international forums, but they will take time. Maryland can be a leader, raising the bar for other regions. Even though our commitments under this bill would not kick in for several years, they would still have value in pushing other regions to make commitments.
Equivalent bills have already passed in New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Washington, California, and Hawaii. Bills are moving forward in other states. Strong state action will lead to strong federal action.
Maryland will also have a better seat at the table as national policy is debated if we have already moved into implementation. Our experts will be consulted. Our congressional delegation will have more say. We can ensure that the rules are written in a way that makes sense for Maryland.
Meeting the Environmental Challenge
We must do what we can to address our own global warming pollution. Rising sea level, irregular weather patterns, and more powerful storms will have enormous impacts on Maryland. We emit 109 million tons of global warming pollution in Maryland every year. We have a moral responsibility to reduce our emissions. At the same time, we can develop clean energy solutions that will benefit us from the start.
SB 278 is the best way to set plans that transition the state into a low-emission future, strengthening the economy and protecting the environment at the same time.
