Maryland Makes Efficiency, Climate a Priority

Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley is not wasting time in his efforts to tackle energy issues and climate change. The governor recently signed two bills, a regional initiative and an Executive Order, in an effort to encourage greater energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions within the state.

The Maryland Clean Cars Act implements stronger emissions standards for vehicles and sets a goal of reducing emissions 30 percent by 2016. The measure, which will take effect on model 2011 cars, makes Maryland the 11th state to follow California's stricter air pollution standards.

Another bill signed into law establishes the Maryland Green Building Council to advise the Governor and state legislature on using green building technologies in state facilities. Governor O’Malley also signed the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) and established - through Executive Order - a Climate Change Commission.

Maryland is now the 10th state to join RGGI, the nation’s first cap-and-trade program designed to control carbon dioxide emissions in the electric utility sector. Maryland’s participation in RGGI will seek to reduce CO2 emissions from the state’s electric generators by roughly 10 percent (current levels) by 2019.

The Alliance to Save Energy, along with the Business Council for Sustainable Energy, recently co-hosted an Issue Forum in Baltimore, Md., to discuss the role of energy efficiency and renewables as part of the RGGI process. Alliance Executive Vice-President Brian Castelli spoke on behalf of the Alliance at the event. The Commission on Climate Change, meanwhile, will develop an action plan to identify Maryland’s carbon footprint, address drivers and causes of global warming, and propose strategies for reducing the state’s greenhouse gas emissions.