Late Monday evening, the Maryland General Assembly wrapped up an intense and eventful 2021 legislative session. The results for the environment included the adoption of many outstanding bills, which are now on the Governor’s desk for review. There also were several notable disappointments.
This session, our Chapter’s dedicated staff and volunteers engaged in extraordinary efforts to address critical policy concerns and overcome pandemic-related challenges. We submitted written testimony on almost 120 bills – a record number – and provided oral testimony (over Zoom) on over two dozen. We continued our commitment to address nearly every facet of environmental protection put before the General Assembly, and added to that by partnering with other organizations to support bills regarding voting rights, police reform, and protections for essential workers.
Here are the highlights of the BIG VICTORIES for the environment we achieved this year:
Transportation – the General Assembly provided desperately needed funding for public transit (particularly in the Baltimore area); required the Maryland Transit Administration to convert to electric buses; and adopted several bills to support expanded use of electric cars.
Clean energy – legislators required all proposals for new, large electricity-generating facilities to be evaluated for their climate impacts; instituted a long sought-after change to the state’s clean energy program to end subsidies for electricity generated by burning “black liquor” (a waste product from paper mills); authorized Montgomery County to begin a “community choice energy” pilot program; and adopted several bills to support more solar energy.
Zero waste – legislators adopted bills to increase composting of food waste, end counting incinerator ash as a recycled material, and limit plastic pollution from balloon litter.
Natural places – the General Assembly set in place programs to plant five million new trees by 2030; reduce nitrogen pollution in the Chesapeake Bay; improve management of pollution contained in stormwater run-off; and prohibited certain animal killing competition and use of invasive plant species in state projects.
But there also were significant bills which DID NOT make it across the finish line:
Transportation - bills to hold the Governor to his promises regarding the manner in which he would add toll lanes to the Capital Beltway and I-270, and to reform the use of public-private partnerships for transportation projects.
Clean energy - deadlines for closing Maryland’s remaining coal plants, and support impacted workers and communities.
Climate change - the omnibus “Climate Solutions Now Act,” though two key subparts – electric transit buses and planting millions of trees – were enacted in separate bills.
Zero waste - a statewide ban on plastic shopping bags; a bill to expand producer responsibility by establishing a stewardship program for unused paint; limitations on single-use plastics at restaurants; and instituting a chain-of-custody system for the life-span of synthetic turf.
Hazardous substances and public health - a bill to address the threats posed by PFAS “forever” chemicals.
Environmental rights - A bill to enshrine “environmental human rights” in the Maryland Constitution.
Please view our Testimony Page to see all the bills we testified on, and to read our written testimony.
Our Legislative Page has many more details and links to helpful resources.
GET INVOLVED: There’s no rest for environmental activists! Our work on policy initiatives for the 2022 session will soon begin. To find out how to get involved, join our next Volunteer Orientation (RSVP on the calendar). Peruse the list of our Chapter committees and teams, and find one that interests you and reach out to the contact.
A big “thank you” to all who drafted testimony, testified orally, joined our virtual Lobby Night, and emailed legislators, and thanks to all of you for your support of the Maryland Sierra Club. Thanks to the legislators who sponsored and fought for strong environmental legislation. And thanks to our financial supporters who enable our work. Stay tuned for information about our legislative victory party!
Best,
Mark Posner
MD Sierra Club Legislative Chair