Statement: ‘Maryland’s Climate Pathway’ lays out clear vision for achieving climate goals

BALTIMORE — The Maryland Department of the Environment released a new report Friday that lays out how the state can meet its ambitious climate goals required by the Climate Solutions Now Act (CSNA) of 2022. The report, Maryland’s Climate Pathway, uses modeling from the Center for Global Sustainability (CGS) at the University of Maryland to make recommendations for further policies needed to hit the goals. Those suggestions include reducing climate emissions from electricity, buildings and transportation.

Topline recommendations include:

• Expanding the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) to generate 100% of the state’s electricity from clean sources;
• Reducing emissions from buildings by implementing the Building Emissions Performance Standards and the state’s energy efficiency program (EmPOWER), and set all-electric construction standards and zero-emissions appliance standards;
• Increasing public transit options and access to safe walking/biking paths and reducing emissions from vehicles and expanding electric vehicle electrification infrastructure.

The report has been submitted to Gov. Wes Moore and the Maryland General Assembly, and the public is invited to offer comments on the plan.

In response, Emily Scarr, director of Maryland PIRG issued the following statement.

“By implementing Maryland’s Climate Pathway, we can give our children and grandchildren the healthier future they deserve. In particular, the governor and state legislature should move quickly to improve the efficiency of our homes. Making the shift to efficient electric appliances and heating will help lower utility bills and protect our health.”

In response, Johanna Neumann, senior director of Environment America’s Campaign for 100% Renewable Energy, issued the following statement:

“A rapid transition to 100% clean electricity will bring invaluable environmental and public health benefits to Maryland. This plan includes key building blocks to help realize that vision — reducing energy waste in buildings and positioning more Maryland homes and businesses to run on renewable energy. It will help make sure that when Marylanders get around, they don’t need to burn fossil fuels to do so. And it aspires to make sure that all the electricity we use will come from clean energy sources in our lifetimes.

“We hope the Moore Administration and the Legislature will move quickly to codify a commitment to 100% clean electricity by 2040 into law, joining 11 other states who have taken similar action.”

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