Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Greenhouse Gas Bill Heard in the Senate
The Senate Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee held its hearing on the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Act of 2009 (SB 278) Tuesday.
The bill would require the State to reduce statewide greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent from 2006 levels by 2020. It would require the State to develop and adopt a specified plan, regulations, and programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The legislation, which exempts manufacturers from contributing to the required 25 percent reduction, would be up for review by the legislature in 2016.
The Maryland Chamber of Commerce has taken no position on the legislation due to the broad range of industries the Chamber represents, and the varying positions among its members. The Chamber did submit a letter stating that we believe this bill is a huge improvement over similar proposals introduced in prior years. However, the letter also expresses some of the concerns voiced by members who would be impacted by the bill. View the Chamber’s statement here.
Bill sponsor Senator Paul Pinsky, Maryland Department of the Environment Secretary Shari Wilson, Deputy Legislative Officer of the Governor’s Office Lisa Jackson, and University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science President Dr. Donald Boesch, comprised the sponsor panel, which testified in support of the legislation. The panel cited the bill as a way to place Maryland ahead of the curve in regard to greenhouse gas reduction, setting the state and its businesses up to be more competitive in the future.
Several other organizations, including representatives of manufacturers in Maryland, also testified in support of the bill.
Industry groups opposing the bill included the Maryland Petroleum Council, the Maryland Retailers Association, and the Maryland Solid Waste Association. Many of the organizations acknowledged the legislation as a step in the right direction from last year’s, but there were concerns expressed over the lack of federal preemption in the bill and the costs to be born by utilities.
For more information about this legislation or the letter, please contact Vice President of Government Affairs Allyson Black at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
