ANNAPOLIS, MD – Maryland’s leading climate organizations joined together to express outrage and disbelief with Governor Moore’s decision to veto the RENEW Act (HB128 / SB149), a critical and necessary climate study bill, in an inexplicable reversal of a position that threatens to stymie Maryland’s climate progress for negligible budget savings. It is particularly difficult to understand the veto given the severe lack of leadership and support to fight climate change impacts that Maryland is currently receiving from the federal government. 

The RENEW study bill requires the Comptroller, MDE, and Department of Commerce to conduct a study to assess the total cost of greenhouse gas emissions in the State and report by December 1, 2026. The cost of the study is approximately $500,000. Notably, this funding would come from dedicated climate funds within the State’s Strategic Energy Investment Fund (SEIF) and not from the state’s General Fund, which covers most day-to-day government operations and services such as education, public safety, and healthcare. This means the veto provides no relief to the state’s broader budget challenges while potentially blocking hundreds of millions of dollars in future revenues and climate benefits. 

“This veto is extremely frustrating and simply does not support the state’s climate goals,” said Kim Coble, Executive Director of the Maryland League of Conservation Voters. “The RENEW Act study was a specific recommendation of the Maryland Commission on Climate Change and was supported by 69% of the members of the General Assembly. Of most importance, however, is that MDE has identified creating a long-term funding source to support the state’s climate program as the most effective action Maryland can take to reduce emissions. This veto is not fiscal responsibility, it’s a definitive step in the opposite direction of our climate goals.” 

Brittany Baker, Maryland Director of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network Action Fund, comments, “I would be delighted to be Governor Moore’s biggest supporter. But, as a Maryland mom, his lack of leadership on climate worries me. The RENEW Act study was only the first step on taking decisive climate action to protect the next generation and Marylanders’ pocketbooks in an escalating climate crisis.”

“Maryland voters elected a Governor who promised climate leadership, and this veto is a reversal both on climate leadership and fiscal responsibility,” echoed Josh Tulkin, Director of the Maryland Sierra Club. “I join other environmental leaders in urging the General Assembly to override the veto of the Renew Act and Data Centers study bills.” 

Governor Moore also vetoed the Resource Adequacy Study and Data Center Study. The Governor’s veto of the Data Center Impact Study bill (HB 270 / SB 116), builds on the growing discontent from stakeholders after an Administration led workgroup intended to address the impacts from data centers failed to produce any report. The Energy Resource Adequacy and Planning Act (HB1037 / SB909) would deliver vital information about Maryland’s energy needs and sustainable solutions at a time when our energy grid faces unprecedented challenges from climate change and increasing demand. 

Maryland LCV issues biennial Report Cards, with Governor Moore’s second assessment of environmental actions due to be released this summer. Several of the bills on the anticipated veto list were strongly supported by Maryland LCV, Sierra Club Maryland, Chesapeake Climate Action, and other environmental groups.

 ### 

The Maryland League of Conservation Voters (Maryland LCV) educates and activates people to take equitable and just political actions for clean water, healthy air and climate-resilient communities. For more information about Maryland LCV and its initiatives, visit: www.MDLCV.org. 

Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN) Action Fund is dedicated to driving change at the local, state, and national levels to address the climate crisis. Through voter education, lobbying, and participation in the electoral process, we seek to advance clean energy solutions in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C 

The Maryland Chapter of the Sierra Club engaged a strong movement of volunteer leaders to advocate for bold systemic changes at the local and state level for a just and equitable transition from dirty fossil fuels to 100% Clean Renewable Energy, Zero Waste, and Clean Transportation for all while protecting our air, water, land & wildlife for future generations!