The Maryland Sierra Club's legislative priorities for 2016 are to:
1. Address climate change by decreasing greenhouse gas emissions overall, increasing clean renewable energy, and decreasing dirty energy from incineration.
- Renew Maryland's Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act (GGRA) to ensure that Maryland is a leader in reducing greenhouse gases. (Fact Sheet)
- Increase the proportion of renewable energy used in Maryland ("Renewable Portfolio Standard" or "RPS") to 25% by 2020. (Fact Sheet)
- Optimize the RPS by denying credit for energy from dirty combustion sources like trash incineration, dirty biomass combustion, and burning of black liquor. (Fact Sheet)
2. Pass a container deposit bill to substantially increase recycling and decrease litter, incineration, and landfilling. (Fact Sheet)
3. Protect honeybees by banning the use of neonicotinoid pesticides except for certified applicators, and requiring labelling of plants grown with neonicotinoids. (More information and resources)
4. Ensure the continued effectiveness of antibiotics by banning the prophylactic use of medically-important antibiotics in livestock production. (More information and resources)
To find out more, email Legislation[@]MDSierra.org or call 301-277-7111. To voice your support for one or more of these priorities, please visit our Actions webpage.
Want to Join our Legislative Team?
The Maryland Sierra Club's Legislative Committee advocates for the passage of progressive environmental legislation in Maryland consistent with the goals of the Maryland Sierra Club. We work with issue teams throughout the year, reviewing our most pressing environmental issues as well as environmental legislative successes of other states, and planning effective strategies for supporting or opposing bills that will come before the legislature.
The Legislative Session of the Maryland General Assembly lasts for 90 days, from January to April, and is an exciting and fast-paced time for environmental policy making. The Legislative Committee's work starts well before that though. Beginning in the fall, we identify our priorities for the upcoming session along with strategies to acheive them, including educational events and meetings throughout the state. Once the session starts, we continue our work to educate the public and our representatives, write and deliver testimony on bills, attend hearings, lobby in Annapolis, communicate progress with the chapter, and identfy opportunities for key moments for engagement. We have regular conference calls to review bills, make assignments, and develop, monitor, and adjust strategies to maximize success. We also plan lobby nights and other events, and organize Sierra Club member meetings with legislators.
The Sierra Club needs people like YOU to help us achieve success in Annapolis and to help protect the environment. There are plenty of opportunities for people to get involved in the work of the Legislative Committee. Expertise on a particular issue is helpful, but the only requirement is some time, enthusiasm, and a desire to contribute. You are especially needed if you would like to:
- Plan events in Annapolis like lobby nights, mass meetings with legislators, rallies, and opening day activities.
- Plan events across the state like legislative kick-offs, house parties, movie nights, victory celebrations, and more in support of our priorities.
- Represent your county, legislative district, or neighborhood on the legislative team.
- Help build our advocacy base across the state by making telephone calls, tabling, doing other outreach, and other action items.
- Join our Rapid Response Team to take action at key legislative moments - we'll show you how!
If you would like to find out how you can help with these or other efforts, please email Legislation@MDSierra.org or call us at 301-277-7111.
Thanks and looking forward to talking with you soon!