ANNAPOLIS, MD – Today, the Climate Solutions Now Act of 2022 (SB528) passed the Senate by a vote of 32-15 and earlier this week passed the House 95-42. 

The bill takes concrete steps to reduce pollution and build the state’s clean energy economy for all Maryland communities:

• Greenhouse gas emissions reductions targets that are among the strongest in the country
• Carefully articulated provisions to allocate resources for low- to-moderate income communities and prevent further harm to communities most vulnerable to climate-related impacts
• A new program to help more school districts transition their school bus fleets to electric buses, with the goal of protecting the more than 650,000 Maryland children who ride to school on polluting diesel buses
• A path to transition all of Maryland’s state-owned fleet of cars and light-duty trucks from fossil fuel to zero-emission vehicles;
• Tax exemptions for community solar projects serving low or moderate-income customers, lessening pressure on our open space and agricultural land while expanding the benefits of solar to underserved communities.
• Expanding the Chesapeake Conservation Corps Program to include climate and clean energy projects
• Reduced emissions from large buildings by 20% by 2030 and achieve a net zero target by 2040

“Today, the General Assembly has taken steps that put Maryland on the path to lead the nation once again in addressing climate change in a responsible, achievable, and equitable manner,” said Maryland League of Conservation Voters Executive Director Kim Coble. “We are grateful to the General Assembly, especially Chairman Paul Pinsky, Chairmen Kumar Barve and C.T. Wilson, and Vice Chair Dana Stein, Senate President Bill Ferguson, and House Speaker Adrienne Jones for their dedicated efforts to pass this significant legislation that will benefit all Marylanders. Governor Hogan must sign the Climate Solutions Now Act of 2022 to put us on a road to a clean energy future for Maryland’s children.”

“In Maryland, more than 650,000 kids ride school buses,” said Ramón Palencia-Calvo, Director of Chispa Maryland. “The Electric School Bus Pilot Program in Climate Solutions Now puts the health of Maryland’s youth and communities first by putting us on a path to transition the state’s school bus fleet to clean, zero-emission electric school buses.”

“Fossil fuel pollution is an urgent public health threat and affects every aspect of our lives. We applaud the General Assembly for passing this bill to reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions,” said Jody Gan, President of the Maryland Public Health Association. “We urge Governor Hogan to sign this bill into law so all Marylanders can breathe easier.”

Climate change is already placing immense financial burdens on Maryland’s businesses and the state’s communities of color and low-income residents who are particularly hard hit by climate-related emissions and pollution. 

Public polling consistently shows that Maryland voters strongly support legislative action that meaningfully addresses the impacts of climate change.

The bill now heads to Governor Hogan’s desk. He has previously expressed opposition to pieces of the bill, but with such wide support from Marylanders and supermajority support from legislators, it is unclear if he will sign or veto the bill.

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