Statement: Maryland Senate Passes Clean Energy Jobs Act

Annapolis, Md. (March 20, 2019) – The Maryland Climate Coalition released the following statement after the Maryland Senate voted 33-13 in favor of SB 516 today:

“We applaud the Maryland Senate for taking strong action by passing the Maryland Clean Energy Jobs Act today. This bill will help fight climate change while expanding jobs, investment and tax revenue in our state. We need this legislation to ensure continued renewable energy demand, so we bring green jobs and investments to Maryland, rather than losing them to neighboring states that have already passed similar legislation.

By passing this bill, Maryland will help alleviate some of the most devastating health impacts of fossil fuel pollution, such as asthma attacks, stroke, heart disease, and cancer.

We simply cannot wait one more year to address the urgent crisis of global warming.  For the sake of our climate, our kids, our state’s economy and our collective future, we now call on the House of Delegates to follow the Senate’s lead and pass the Clean Energy Jobs Act as quickly as possible.”  

In 2017, the Maryland General Assembly enacted the original Clean Energy Jobs Act, achieving a 25 percent Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) by 2020. The 2019 Maryland Clean Energy Jobs Act would expand the state’s RPS policy, requiring the state to get half of its energy from renewable sources — such as wind and solar power — by 2030, with a path to reach 100 percent renewable energy by 2040. The House version (HB 1158) is still under consideration.

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Contact: Kristen Peterson, 410-267-4156

The Maryland Climate Coalition brings together environmental, faith, health, labor and civic organizations to advance clean energy and climate policies in Maryland. For more information about the Maryland Climate Coalition, visit: http://marylandclimatecoalition.org/

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