(ANNAPOLIS, MD)—Today the Maryland Senate passed the Climate Solutions Now Act by a vote of 34-11. The bill requires the state to reduce 60 percent of its greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and puts in place concrete actions to guide the state to this goal. Those actions range from increasing the energy efficiency of buildings, increasing commitments to electric vehicles, and planting 5 million new trees. The bill is one of the strongest such climate bills in the nation and, if passed, will put Maryland on the forefront of efforts to mitigate climate change. Now that the bill has been approved by the state Senate, it moves to the House of Delegates for further consideration.
In response to the Maryland Senate vote today approving the bill, CBF Maryland Executive Director Josh Kurtz issued the following statement:
“Every Marylander will feel the effects of climate change. Many already have. Storms are increasing in ferocity, sea levels are rising, and our coastal communities are threatened. Climate change is making the Chesapeake Bay clean-up tougher and warmer water temperatures are depriving Bay life of oxygen. Today’s vote by the Maryland Senate shows state leaders are prepared to face this threat head-on. The Climate Solutions Now Act will add five million new trees throughout Maryland and ensure the state reduces greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles, buildings, and other sources. As the House takes up the bill in earnest, we’ll continue our strong advocacy for this legislation.”
