Pirate's Cove

I can’t wait till residents of Maryland start complaining about the skyrocketing cost of living, and then abandon the state

Maryland lawmakers pass sweeping climate legislation, wave of environmental bills

After two years of frustration, Maryland environmental advocates have much to celebrate after the conclusion earlier this week of what one called a “landmark” General Assembly session in Annapolis.

Over the course of 90 days, lawmakers enacted sweeping climate change legislation that committed Maryland to the most ambitious greenhouse gas reductions of any state in the nation. They also passed a flurry of other “green” bills, including measures to reduce environmental inequities, beef up water pollution enforcement and boost efforts to restore the Chesapeake Bay’s diminished oyster population.

I like how they unintentionally put that: in essence, climate change is not the environment. They are two separate issues.

The most significant environmental bill to pass this year was the Climate Solutions Now Act, an omnibus measure that advocates say has restored Maryland to the top rank of states addressing global climate change and its impacts. The law calls for a 60% reduction in climate-warming carbon emissions by 2031, a near-term target unmatched by any other state, and net-zero emissions by 2045.

“We have just put a stake in the ground that says we are going to lead on climate [and] greenhouse gas reduction goals in the country,” said Kim Coble, executive director of the Maryland League of Conservation Voters.

The measure’s 100-plus pages spell out a variety of initiatives to work toward those goals, notably a requirement that large existing buildings reduce carbon emissions by improving their energy efficiency. By 2030, all state facilities would have to get at least 75% of their electricity from low– or zero-carbon sources. The state also must electrify its fleet of cars by 2031 and light-duty trucks by 2036.

If this is just so darned important, why don’t they do this now? Why wait till 2031 for the 60%? Make it happen now. Tear the band aid off immediately.

Under another provision, lawmakers established a “climate corps” for youths and young adults to work on climate mitigation projects. They also established a $5 million fund for climate projects and directed 40% of it be spent in low– to moderate-income neighborhoods — an attempt to tackle inequities in how climate change is both felt and addressed.

So, a cushy government job for kids being indoctrinated and Spreading The Word. And paying off people to essentially vote Democrat.

Yet, there’s nothing in there restricting the lawmakers and the high ranking people in the Governor’s office to electric vehicles, as well as no more fossil fueled flights.