WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today the Obama administration took the most significant federal action yet to tackle climate change, issuing final rules to cut carbon emissions from power plants by 32% by 2030 under the Clean Air Act.
Maryland is well-positioned to meet its state-level requirement for reducing emissions, thanks to climate and clean energy policies enacted over the past decade. The Chesapeake Climate Action Network notes that Maryland has a significant opportunity to lead in realizing the public health, consumer, and economic benefits of the federal Clean Power Plan by strengthening those existing state policies.
Mike Tidwell, director of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, had the following statement:
“CCAN welcomes the Clean Power Plan and its goal to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from power plants nationwide. Maryland is ahead of the curve in reducing harmful carbon pollution thanks to clean energy policies adopted over the past decade.
“But Maryland can and must do much more, especially as a state extremely vulnerable to the impacts of rising sea levels and smog. Maryland has significant progress yet to make on clean energy, and it starts with expanding our clean electricity standard to 25% by 2020. Increasing our reliance on wind and solar is the top recommendation for cutting greenhouse gas pollution under Maryland’s Climate Action Plan. It will lead to greater economic prosperity and healthier air.”
Contact:
Kelly Trout, 240-396-2022, kelly@chesapeakeclimate.org
Mike Tidwell, 240-460-5838, mtidwell@chesapeakeclimate.org

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The Chesapeake Climate Action Network is the biggest and oldest grassroots organization dedicated to fighting climate change in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. We’re building a powerful movement to shift our region away from climate-harming fossil fuels and to clean energy solutions.