The Sierra Club is happy to report positive news regarding efforts in Maryland to increase our State’s use of clean energy and ramp up efforts to fight climate change. We also want to alert members of an opportunity in the coming weeks to discuss these issues with Maryland decision makers.
At the end of October, the Maryland Climate Commission voted unanimously to recommend that the 2016 General Assembly set a goal of a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in the State (as compared to 2006) by 2030. Currently, the State is on track toward meeting the existing goal of a 25% reduction by 2020 – a goal that was mandated by the Maryland Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act of 2009 (GGRA). The GGRA requires that the 2020 goal be reviewed in 2016, and the Climate Commission voted unanimously in favor of the General Assembly reaffirming this goal next year. The Commission includes environmental representatives, and representatives from Governor Hogan’s Administration, industry, labor, and the general public.
As part of its outreach to the public, the Climate Commission (along with the Maryland Department of the Environment and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources) is holding a series of public meetings around the State to discuss climate change issues and the Commission’s work plan for 2016. The dates and locations for these meetings are:
- Monday, November 30th from 6:00 - 8:00 pm - Parks & People Foundation, 2100 Liberty Heights Ave, Stone House, Baltimore, MD 21217
- Tuesday, December 1st from 6:00 - 8:00 pm – St. Camillus Catholic Church, 1600 St Camillus Dr, Camila Hall, Silver Spring, MD 20903
- Thursday, December 3rd from 6:00 - 8:00 pm - Southern Pines Community Center, 20 Appeal Lane, Room: PR 1, Lusby, MD 20657
- Monday, December 14th from 6:00 - 8:00 pm - Crellin Elementary School, 115 Kendall Dr, Oakland, MD 21550
- Thursday, December 17th from 6:00 - 8:00 pm - Eastern Shore Land Conservancy, 114 S. Washington Street, Easton, MD 21601