At its most recent meeting on 2016-04-25, the Maryland Commission on Climate Change’s Mitigation Working Group heard presentations on various factors that the Working Group should consider as it maps out how the State will achieve a 25% percent reduction in greenhouse gasses from 2006 levels by 2020 and a 40% reduction by 2030. Staff for the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) announced that besides environmental and economic development considerations, environmental and social justice issues would also figure prominently in the Working Group’s deliberations.
Launched in May of 2015, the Working Group initially focused on the 25% reduction. The 40% reduction is a new requirement, passed by the General Assembly with bipartisan and Administration support during the 2016 Session (HB 610/SB 323). The Working Group is composed of 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.
At the April 25 meeting, the Working Group heard presentations on enhanced economic analysis and social equity issues from MDE, the Maryland Environmental Health Network, Sage Policy Group, M.J. Bradley & Associates (a consulting firm), and the National Center for Smart Growth Research and Education.
For further information, please contact Les Knapp at 410.269.0043 or lknapp@mdcounties.org.
Useful Links
Maryland Commission on Climate Change Website
Mitigation Working Group Agenda (2016-04-25)
MDE Presentation on Enhanced Economic Analysis/Social Equity Issues