UU Legislative Ministry Climate News 04/21/2021

 

 

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UU Legislative Ministry Climate News:

April 21, 2021

The 2021 Session of the Maryland General Assembly is now history. The session ended “Sine Die” at midnight, Monday, Apr 12th. A lot of useful work was accomplished and there was also disappointment. 

UULM-MD Priority Bills

The House and Senate were unable to reach a compromise on  Climate Solutions Now Act  (SB 414). However, several components of the bill were incorporated into other bills that passed. This includes the provisions for the Electric School Buses which were incorporated into the Zero-Emission Bus Transition Act (SB 137) and the planting of 5 million trees, which was incorporated into the Forest Mitigation Banks – Qualified Conservation

The Transportation Safety and Investment Act (HB 114) passed.

Other Bills of Interest in Climate and Justice

The Utility Regulation – Consideration of Labor and Climate Act (HB 298) passed. Requires the Public Service Commission to consider impacts on climate and labor in decisions.

The Plastic Bag Reduction Act (HB 314) did not pass.

The Community Choice Energy – Pilot Act (HB 768) passed.

The Sustainable Buildings Act (Bird Safe Building) (HB 236) did not pass.

The Low-Impact Landscaping bill (HB 332) passed. Prohibits restrictions from imposing unreasonable limitations on low-impact landscaping such as rain gardens, pollinator gardens, and xeriscaping.

The Commission on Environmental Justice and Sustainable Communities – Reform Bill (HB 1207) passed.

The Zero-Emission Bus Transition Act (SB 137) passed. Requires, beginning in 2023,  Maryland Transit Administration to purchase buses that are zero-emission. 

The Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard – Qualifying Biomass (SB 65) passed which takes Black Liquor out of the Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS).

The Office of People’s Counsel Environmental Reform Act (HB 30) passed.

The Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard and Geothermal Heating and Cooling Systems (HB 1007) passed including geothermal heat pumps in the RPS. 

The Organics Recycling and Waste Diversion – Food Residuals (HB 264) passed. Requires compostable food waste from large sources to be composted if a facility is nearby.

The Maryland Recycling Act – Recyclable Materials and Resource Recovery Facilities – Alterations (HB 280) passed, removing incineration ash from the RPS.

Water Pollution – Stormwater Management Regulations and Watershed Implementation Plans – Review and Update (SB 227) passed. Requires stormwater regulations to be updated every 5 years incorporating updated precipitation data.

Finally, The Safe School Drinking Water Act (HB 636) passed, requiring the removal of lead from school drinking fountains.