While attending the annual meeting of the Chesapeake Executive Council with VA Gov. Northam, Gov. Hogan announces key principles for environmental legislation.
During the annual meeting of the Chesapeake Executive Council, Governor Larry Hogan announced four principles for legislation needed regarding the Chesapeake Bay, climate change, and clean and renewable energy.
“‘While we have worked hard to make Maryland a national leader on climate change and environmental stewardship, we are committed to building on that legacy, which is why I am submitting a memorandum today to Maryland legislative leaders which lays out four key principles to guide further action on environmental reforms,’ said Governor Hogan. ‘It calls for stronger public-private funding mechanisms to increase investment in Bay restoration, a forward-thinking clean energy package, expanding land conservation and preservation, and an equitable transition to a cleaner and greener economy.'”(Press Release)
Four principles laid out by Hogan:
Chesapeake Bay: Financing For Tomorrow. “Now is the time to make a real down payment on our future environmental and restoration priorities by supporting a robust public-private funding mechanism. Let’s leverage the power of private capital for the public good—it will be good for the Bay and good for the bottom line.”
A Climate for Clean and Renewable Energy. “We must continue working closely with the federal government and regional partners to advance the clean energy economy. This partnership includes the SMART-POWER agreement I signed with Virginia and North Carolina. Together we can position Maryland as a regional power player for the entire Atlantic Coast.”
Outdoor Recreation: Access for All. “I urge the General Assembly to work with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the Chesapeake Bay Cabinet to remove funding restrictions within state law so we can better manage and use existing revenue sources to accomplish our collective goals.”
Equitable and Just Transition. “Managing state lands, working with local zoning officials, and incentivizing use of brownfields, waste sites, and other underutilized locations continues to offer great potential if we strike the right balance of responsible deregulation and reasonable incentives.”
After the meeting Governor Hogan, along with Virginia Governor Northam, and Virginia Delegate Bulova, “sign(ed) a directive committing the Chesapeake Bay Program to address the increasing threats of climate change by utilizing world-class monitoring technology.” (Press Release)
