The Maryland Commission on Climate Change, which is housed within the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) has launched several working groups to handle different aspects of climate change, including adaptation, mitigation, and public outreach. The Mitigation Working Group will recommend strategies to help the State reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 25% of 2006 levels by 2020, as required under Maryland’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan.

The Mitigation Working Group is composed stakeholders representing the State, environmental community, commercial builders, energy sector, research institutions, labor, and local governments.  MACo Legal and Policy Director Les Knapp is a county government representative.  The Working Group held its first meeting on May 6 which was primarily organizational in nature. It met again on May 21, where it heard about greenhouse gas reduction efforts by Department of Natural Resources and the Maryland Energy Administration.  The Workgroup plans to have its recommendations and report to the Commission finalized by mid-August.

In addition to the general meetings, the Working Group will also be holding a series of subgroup meetings to look at topics more in-depth.  These include meetings on energy (May 28 from 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM at MDE) and transportation/land use (mid-June, location to be determined).  Other possible subgroup meetings could review the climate change strategies economic impact analysis, lead by example programs, local initiatives, and college action plans.

If you want more information about the Mitigation Working Group, please contact Les Knapp at 410.269.0043 or lknapp@mdcounties.org.  You may also submit comments to the Commission at climate.change@maryland.gov.