Annapolis, MD – The future of the EPA may hang in the balance, but Maryland environmentalists have a reason to rejoice this spring, as several eco-friendly pieces of legislation passed through the state’s General Assembly this month.
Arguably, the most substantial issue for eco-conscious Maryland residents is hydraulic fracturing, better known as fracking. With help from Governor Larry Hogan, Maryland became the first state with confirmed natural gas reserves to pass a bill that prohibits fracking practices.
Fracking has become a hot-button topic all across the country. The technique is performed by pumping water, sand, and chemicals underground to extract natural gas reserves. Although it’s produced a surge in U.S. gas production, it’s a controversial practice said to cause spills, water and air pollution, earthquakes, and well contamination. Research has also linked fracking activities to public health risks.
While Governor Hogan originally supported fracking — with the caveat that it be done safely — due to its potential to bring sorely needed jobs to the state, he’s since changed his mind on the matter. After the ban passed by a landslide in the House, the Bay Journal reports that the Senate was put under immense pressure to act. Hogan said publicly that he’d endorse the ban, as he was now convinced fracking posed both a health and environmental risk — not to mention a political risk for a blue-state politician.
Finally, the six-year debate over whether fracking should be allowed in Western Maryland was finally put to rest. But lawmakers also passed other bills that will help protect the planet, and more specifically, Maryland’s natural resources.
In March, The Baltimore Sun reported that state legislators temporarily suspended commercial harvesting of oysters from any of the state’s 51 oyster sanctuaries after environmentalists fought for a comprehensive study of the matter. The Department of Natural Resources had previously drafted a plan to open sanctuary areas that were designated as off-limits for harvesting seven years ago. Area watermen wanted to implement what they called a “rotational harvest” plan, but before that’s discussed, the DNR will need to complete research on how many oysters are currently in the state and to determine a sustainable harvest level for the future.
Governor Hogan’s administration actually opposed the sanctuary bill, as they felt it undermined the work its own Oyster Advisory Commission was doing. However, the suspension passed with a veto-proof majority, which doesn’t require the governor’s signature to become a law.
But the raft of environmental legislation didn’t stop with oysters: Legislators also passed bills that will expand the Bay’s Restoration Fund. The Fund was started in 2004 to provide backing for the installation of more eco-friendly household septic systems and wastewater treatment plant upgrades. Since centralized wastewater collection and treatment systems serve more than 75% of the U.S. population, Maryland lawmakers wanted to make the health of both residents and the Bay a priority. Now, the spending scope has been widened for the Fund, which will allow smaller treatment plants to receive upgrades, too.
In addition, a measure was passed that commits the state to getting 25% of all energy from renewable sources by the year 2020, with at least 2.5% from solar power. Still more green energy bills passed too, including one that will increase energy efficiency efforts and another that will give tax breaks for plug-in electric cars and recharging stations.
Among the Assembly’s more impressive feats was being able to create a $43.5 billion budget without getting rid of vital environmental programs and Bay restoration efforts.
Karla Raettig, executive director of the Maryland League of Conservation Voters, noted to the Bay Journal, “We didn’t get everything we wanted, but we made a lot of gains and progress. The environment got a lot of attention from the governor and General Assembly.”
Raettig added, “I think that Marylanders and Maryland elected officials know that the protections are not going to be coming from the federal government anytime soon, so really it takes more leadership.”
Environmental activists, on the whole, are pleased with the outcome.
Alison Prost, Maryland executive director of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, wrote in an email to members of the nonprofit, “The environmental community has reason to celebrate.”