On February 29, 2024, Executive Director Michael Sanderson testified before the House Economic Matters Committee in opposition to HB 1407- County Tier 1 Renewable Sources – Generating Systems, Capacity, and Generation – Prohibition, Studies, and Plans. This bill prohibits counties from establishing zoning laws and other regulations that prohibit or restrict the construction of Tier 1 renewable source generating systems.
If implemented, HB 1407 will do irrevocable harm to Marylanders and will be a complete abandonment of the environmental justice principles that the Governor and General Assembly have been promoting.
If enacted, HB 1407 would totally eviscerate county environmental protections and siting authority for all items within Tier 1. Effectively, this would divorce Maryland from all principles of Environmental Justice, the core tenant of which is the meaningful involvement of all people, regardless of income, race, color, national origin, Tribal affiliation, or disability, in decision-making and activities that affect human health and the environment.
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