The final gavel came down close to midnight in Annapolis yesterday, marking the end of this year’s Maryland legislative session.
Here’s the best and biggest news: The fracking moratorium bill (HB 449) won final passage through the General Assembly with a resounding, bipartisan House vote of 102-34 last Friday afternoon! The bill — which prohibits gas companies from fracking for natural gas in Maryland through at least October 1, 2017 — is now officially headed to Governor Larry Hogan’s desk.
This victory was only possible because of our powerful grassroots movement pushing every step of the way for the past five years, and we won’t let up now.
The fracking fight proves that overcoming powerful interests and politics to pass bills in Annapolis is often a multi-year process — which leads me to the disappointing news:
Despite a fierce and broad-based campaign, our landmark bill to raise Maryland’s clean electricity standard (HB 377/SB 373) fell short. In a vote last Thursday, the Senate Finance committee failed to pass the Clean Energy Advancement Act. But there’s a silver lining. The committee chair and vice-chair both voted with us, giving us a strong foundation to build on next year. We’ve also built significant momentum behind the bill in numerous other ways — thanks to the persistent action of CCAN volunteers like you, as well as the faith, business, health, and labor leaders who joined the call for cleaner energy. Click here for a round-up of the momentum you helped build in 2015, and get ready to keep pushing.
Here’s an update on the other bills we’ve worked on in 2015 — including a significant clean energy bright spot:
VICTORY on local solar solutions: The General Assembly passed a bill to establish a 3-year “community solar” pilot program in Maryland! Starting in 2016, the bill (HB 1087/SB 398) will set up a process for groups of Marylanders (i.e. not just individual homeowners) to split the credits for electricity generated by a shared solar installation. This will introduce a new model to Maryland that gives renters and low- and moderate-income residents access to the benefits of solar energy.
Shedding light on the risks of crude oil trains: We got halfway there in advancing legislation (HB 1073) to require a state study of the risks of crude oil train accidents in Maryland. The House of Delegates voted overwhelmingly — 123 to 14 — to pass the legislation, but the bill then stalled in the Senate Finance Committee. As more and more tankers carrying explosive oil from North Dakota move through Maryland, CCAN will continue to work at multiple levels to protect our communities. Stay tuned!
Paid sick days for a healthy Maryland: CCAN added our voice to the campaign to pass paid sick days legislation in 2015, along with the Working Matters coalition of more than 130 faith, labor, civil rights and environmental groups. Unfortunately, this bill (SB 40/HB 385) also stalled in the General Assembly. Thanks to everyone who took action for a healthy environment and healthy people in Maryland — this fight will continue.
Our long-term goal at CCAN is to ensure clean solar panels and wind turbines spread across Maryland, not dirty coal-fired powered plants, toxic fracking wells or emerging threats like crude oil trains.
We’ve made significant progress so far in 2015, even where we didn’t get across the finish line. And it’s because of all of the ways you’ve made our movement for climate solutions a part of your life — meeting with your legislators, flooding their offices with calls and emails, joining rallies in Annapolis, writing letters to the editor, and more.
We’ll keep you updated as the fracking moratorium bill heads to Gov. Hogan.
For now, THANK YOU, and let’s keep rolling!
