2007 Environmental Legislative Wrap-Up
[From the Maryland League of Conservation Voters]
The 423rd session of the Maryland General Assembly ended April 9 and it was a great year for the environment. What a difference an election can make!
The General Assembly passed two major pieces of legislation that will reduce pollution from vehicles and control stormwater runoff, as well as a number of other important bills to increase the state's use of solar energy and eliminate phosphorus.
While campaigning last year, legislators heard that Marylanders wanted solutions to global warming. This year, they acted swiftly and passed the Clean Cars Act within the first six weeks of session! This bill is a significant step and moves Maryland toward becoming a national leader in the fight against global warming. Addtionally, they passed the Stormwater Management Act--the nation's strongest stormwater legislation--that requires developers to use environmental site design to manage stormwater.
Unfortunately, some important legislation failed to pass this year--like the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Green Fund and the Global Warming Solutions Act--but we made great strides in educating legislators and the public. The Maryland League of Conservation Voters will be back next year to pick up where we left off. We hope we can count on you to join us!
Details on the website for each of these topics:
<img width="28" height="30" align="left" src="http://www.baltimorespokes.org/images/articles/20070419181016690_1.jpg" alt="">Clean Cars
Stormwater
<img width="28" height="30" align="left" src="http://www.baltimorespokes.org/images/articles/20070419181016690_2.jpg" alt="">Green Fund
Global Warming
<img width="28" height="30" align="left" src="http://www.baltimorespokes.org/images/articles/20070419181016690_1.jpg" alt="">Solar Energy
Full Funding for Program Open Space
<img width="28" height="30" align="left" src="http://www.baltimorespokes.org/images/articles/20070419181016690_2.jpg" alt="">Closing the Loophole for Open Space
Energy Efficiency:
<img width="28" height="30" align="left" src="http://www.baltimorespokes.org/images/articles/20070419181016690_2.jpg" alt="">Utility Efficiency Programs
<img width="28" height="30" align="left" src="http://www.baltimorespokes.org/images/articles/20070419181016690_1.jpg" alt="">Product Efficiency Standards
<img width="28" height="30" align="left" src="http://www.baltimorespokes.org/images/articles/20070419181016690_2.jpg" alt="">Heating/Cooling Incentives
Other Important Bills:
<img width="28" height="30" align="left" src="http://www.baltimorespokes.org/images/articles/20070419181016690_1.jpg" alt="">Green Buildings
Solar Grant Program
Phosphorous-Free Dish Detergent
<a href="http://www.mdlcv.org/issueslegislation/2007environmentallegislativewrapup">http://www.mdlcv.org/issueslegislation/2007environmentallegislativewrapup</a>;
