Wednesday, April 01, 2009
Two Environmental Bills on the Move
Two environmental bills, the environmental standing legislation and the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Act of 2009, are moving through the Maryland General Assembly this week.
The environmental standing legislation (HB 1569), which is a compromise bill between the business and environmental communities, passed the House of Delegates and the Senate version (SB 1065) was heard yesterday in the Education Health and Environmental Affairs Committee.
The legislation would repeal specified contested case hearing provisions related to permitting decisions by the Department of the Environment. It would authorize judicial review of permitting and license decisions by the Department at the request of certain persons that meet specified federal standing requirements and participate in a public participation process. The compromise provides for increased participation regarding permitting decisions, while ensuring certain protections to the business community.
The Maryland Chamber supported the compromise legislation and will continue its support if all amendments are adopted by the Senate.
The House of Delegates passed the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act with a vote of 107-31 last week. The Senate passed its version about a month ago. The House Economic Matters & Environmental Matters will be hear the Senate version today.
The bill requires the State to reduced statewide greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent from 2006 levels by 2020. The legislation, which exempts manufacturers from contributing to the required 25 percent reduction, would be up for review by the legislature in 2016. Provisions required by the bill, if passed, would go into effect October 1. The Maryland Chamber of Commerce has taken no position on this legislation due to the broad range of industries the Chamber represents, and the varying positions among its members.
