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This summary is part of Beyond the Beltway: A Report on State Energy and Climate Policies produced by the Center for Law, Energy & the Environment at Berkeley Law

 

Maryland uses 40% nuclear and 38% coal. Renewables are 8%, with half of that from hydro, and the rest split evenly between solar, wind, and biomass. The state has a renewable portfolio standard requiring 25% by 2026. Apparently, the utilities have been satisfying renewable requirements through out-of-state purchases. The state also has a strong energy efficiency law, the EmPOWER Maryland program.[1] The state had been under unified Democratic control since 2009, but in 2016 a Republican was elected governor for the first time in 50 years. In 2017, overriding a veto by the Governor Larry Hogan, the legislature accelerated the RPS requirement to 2020. According to the Baltimore Sun:

“Democrats argued that the requirement will boost the renewable energy industry, create high-paying jobs, reduce air pollution and combat climate change at a small cost to consumers.

“‘There’s an economic argument, we’ve got an environmental argument, and then there are some health benefits as well,’ said Sen. Brian Feldman, a Montgomery County Democrat. ‘All three of these put together far, far exceed whatever possible small incremental residential rate impacts we have.’”[2]

Even under a Republican Governor, the government does not shy away from a candid discussion of climate change:

“Maryland is among the states most vulnerable to climate change. Rising sea levels, along with increased storm intensity, have devastating and far-reaching environmental and economic impacts on Chesapeake Bay and the quality of life Marylanders enjoy. Maryland’s sizable farming community could suffer costly losses during extreme droughts and heat waves. Marylanders everywhere will face increased risk of flooding and significant property damage as a result of more precipitation and other extreme weather events. Children, the elderly, and other sensitive populations are vulnerable to the effects of heat waves and increased air pollution. For these reasons, addressing climate change must be among the state’s highest priorities.”[3]

Hogan declined, however, to join the U.S. Climate Alliance. A state legislator has announced an intention to introduce legislation in the 2018 session requiring the state to join the alliance, pointing out that “the county executives of Baltimore County and Prince George’s County, the mayor of Baltimore, and several Maryland university presidents have committed to achieving the goals of the Paris accord.”[4]

 

  1. Maryland Energy Administration, “EmPOWER Maryland,” http://energy.maryland.gov/pages/facts/empower.aspx.
  2. Pamela Wood, “After veto override, renewable energy sourcing accelerates in Maryland,” Baltimore Sun (Feb. 2, 2017), http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/politics/bs-md-senate-renewable-veto-20170202-story.html.
  3. Climate Change Maryland, “Science,” http://climatechange.maryland.gov/science/.
  4. Dana M. Stein, “Md. Should Stand with Paris on Climate Accord,” The Baltimore Sun (Nov. 22, 2017), www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bs-ed-op-1123-climate-alliance-20171119-story.html.