CCAN Applauds MD Senators for Resounding, Bipartisan Vote to Require Deeper Cuts in Greenhouse Gas Pollution
ANNAPOLIS—Today the Maryland Senate voted overwhelmingly – by a 38-8 bipartisan margin – to approve one of the nation’s strongest state requirements for reducing climate pollution. The Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act of 2016 (SB 323/HB 610) requires Maryland to slash emissions economy-wide by 40 percent by 2030, in line with what scientists say is necessary to avert the worst impacts of climate change.
The bill, which renews and extends a landmark law first passed in 2009, now heads to the Maryland House of Delegates for final approval. The new, forty-percent emission reduction goal was unanimously recommended by Maryland’s bipartisan Commission on Climate Change last fall – including union leaders, business and environmental advocates, and six Republican cabinet secretaries from the Hogan administration.
Mike Tidwell, director of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network and a member of the Maryland Commission on Climate Change, had the following statement in response:
“This vote sends a resounding message that climate action is a bipartisan, economic and health imperative in the state of Maryland. Maryland is acting in line with the Pope, with the world’s leaders in Paris, and with our proven best interests. While solar and wind power take off, so are the devastating impacts of climate disruption, driven by our reliance on dirty energy.
“By being a national leader in cutting carbon pollution, Maryland can lead the nation in capturing the benefits of clean energy. Our current carbon-cutting programs are on track to create and sustain more than 26,000 new jobs, while saving lives and reducing asthma attacks thanks to cleaner air. We fully expect the House of Delegates to follow the Senate’s bipartisan lead, and send this win-win bill to Governor Hogan for his signature.
“Next up in 2016 will be boosting our renewable energy standard, which is our state’s top policy tool for reducing carbon emissions. The Clean Energy Jobs Act (SB 921/HB 1106) is another win-win-win for our climate, health and economy in Maryland.”
Contact:
Kelly Trout, 240-396-2022, kelly@chesapeakeclimate.org
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