MD: 2007 Legislative Session Great for the Environment

Maryland League of Conservation Voters

Press Release

 For Immediate Release                                                              Contact: Cindy Schwartz cschwartz@mdlcv.org
April 10, 2007                                                                            or Dawn Stoltzfus dstoltzfus@mdlcv.org
                                                                                                office: 410-280-9855, Cindy’s cell: 240-535-6050

                                                                                                Dawn’s cell: 410-562-5655

2007 Legislative Session Great for the Environment

Environmental Groups Laud Passage of Strong Conservation Bills,

Lay Groundwork on Important Legislation for Next Year

(ANNAPOLIS, Md.) – As the 2007 General Assembly Session came to an end at midnight, environmental groups praised the passage of legislation that will reduce pollution from vehicles, control stormwater runoff, increase the state’s use of solar energy, and eliminate phosphorus from dishwashing detergent.

“This truly has been a great year for the environment so far. What a difference an election can make!” said Maryland League of Conservation Voters Executive Director Cindy Schwartz.

“In 2006, voters sent a message loud and clear: the environment matters. And in the 2007 General Assembly, our elected officials delivered on their promise to protect our air, land, and water. From the Governor to new and returning legislators across the state, this legislative session saw bi-partisan support for tackling big issues like global warming and a polluted Chesapeake Bay. The environment is an issue that’s here to stay in Maryland.”

Ms. Schwartz continued: “By passing bills to limit pollution from cars and increase our solar energy use, Maryland is taking steps to fight global warming. By passing the strongest stormwater bill in the country and eliminating phosphorus from dishwashing detergent, we’re helping to clean up the Chesapeake Bay and our rivers.”

“Although some important legislation failed to make it this year—like the ‘Green Fund’ and the Global Warming Solutions Act —we’ve made great strides in educating legislators and the public. We’ll be back in next year, in the 2008 Session, to pick up right where we left off,” said Ms. Schwartz.

Among the big environmental winners this session:

·        Clean Cars Act (SB 103/HB 131) to reduce emissions from vehicles. Three years ago, this bill did not make it out of committee and was opposed by the Ehrlich Administration. This year, strong support from Governor O’Malley gave Clean Cars a huge boost and the bill received bi-partisan votes in committee and the House and Senate floors.

·        Stormwater Management Act (SB 784/HB 786) to limit polluted runoff from development by requiring developers to use environmental site design to manage stormwater and requiring cities and counties to update archaic local zoning codes. This will be the strongest stormwater bill in the nation.

• Solar energy bill (SB 595/HB 1016) that adds solar energy to the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard, requiring Maryland utilities to get 2 percent of their energy from solar power.
• Phosphorous bill (SB 766/HB 1131) to lessen pollution in Maryland waterways by banning the sale of dishwashing detergent containing phosphorous.
• Energy Efficiency Standards (SB 674/HB 909) to set energy efficiency standards for 7 new products sold in Maryland, saving Marylanders a projected $1 billion while reducing global warming pollution.
• Full Funding for Program Open Space: the budget proposed by Governor O’Malley and passed by the legislature includes full funding for Program Open Space in FY2008. Between 2002 and 2006, Maryland’s governors and legislators raided $480 million from this dedicated fund.

Legislation that did not pass this session includes:

• The Chesapeake & Coastal Bays “Green Fund” (SB 901/HB 1220) to create a dedicated revenue source for cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay through a fee on new development of impervious surfaces. This bill had strong public support and passed in the House but did not make it out of the Senate committee.
• Global Warming Solutions Act (SB 409/HB 890) to reduce global warming emissions to 1990 levels by the year 2020 and place a greater reliance on renewable energy sources and energy efficiency. Neither version of bill was voted out of committee.

• Program Open Space loophole (SB 616/HB 475) would close the loophole allowing Limited Liability Corporations (LLC) to transfer real estate without paying the transfer tax that goes to Program Open Space for land conservation. The state currently loses countless sums of money each year due to this loophole. HB 475 passed the House with a vote of 101-35 but SB 616/HB 475 were not voted on in the Senate Committee.
• Energy Efficiency through utilities (SB 562/HB 631) would restore energy efficiency programs for electric utility customers. The House bill passed the House with a vote of 136-0, but both bills were killed in the Senate committee.
• Energy Efficiency through tax incentives (SB 615/HB 595) for individuals who install high efficiency heating and cooling equipment. SB 615 was never heard by committee and HB 595 was given an unfavorable committee report.

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