Maryland
Maryland’s Climate Pollution Reduction Plan Sets Path to a Zero Emissions Future
By Jason Aul, Strategic Communications Director – The Moore Administration released Maryland’s Climate Pollution Reduction Plan, as required by the 2022 Climate Solutions Now Act, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 60% by 2031.
The Maryland League of Conservation Voters (Maryland LCV) applauds the Maryland Department of Environment (MDE) for their timely and comprehensive report, and establishing a strong policy foundation for Maryland to meet its climate targets, however is disappointed the plan does not commit to funding the implementation of the policies.
The plan’s inclusion of policies such as addressing energy efficiency in buildings, updating appliance standards, excluding municipal waste incineration from the state’s Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (RPS), and developing a new Clean Power Standard is particularly encouraging. The plan clearly lays out the steps and actions needed to meet Maryland’s climate goals.
Maryland LCV Executive Director, Kim Coble, issued the following statement on the plan’s release:
- “We commend the Maryland Department of the Environment for the tremendous effort to complete this report in the timeline required. We are encouraged by many of the proposals in the plan, but also recognize where it falls short. Most importantly, the plan does not include a funding mechanism to implement the infrastructure and policies required for the transition to clean, renewable energy and ensure low income households are not left behind in the transition. We will continue to work with the administration and the Maryland General Assembly to ensure there are adequate resources and a regulatory framework to meet the moment.”
The Moore Administration and the Maryland General Assembly (MGA) need to move forward swiftly with proposals and policies that do not require new funding sources, including;
- Removing manufacturing exemption from state GHG accounting
- Removing municipal waste incineration from the state’s RPS
- Shifting the goals of the state’s energy efficiency program
- Reducing the total vehicle miles traveled across the state
The plan falls short in three key areas. If Maryland is going to be a national leader on fighting climate change impacts, the Administration need to address the following:
- Establish a Robust Funding Mechanism: Create a funding mechanism that will leverage private funds and provide the estimated $1 Billion a year needed to achieve Maryland’s 2031 emissions reduction goal. New York, Washington, and California are moving in this direction and surprisingly, Michigan is also leading the country in not only creating a plan to address climate change but also identifying and providing funds to implement the plan. Without designated funding, or even a commitment to finding funds, there is no guarantee the policies will be implemented and the plan is simply – a plan.
- Urgent Renewable Energy Deployment: If Maryland is going to meet the 100% Clean Energy goal, leadership is needed to ensure Maryland’s renewable energy sources including wind, geothermal, and in particular solar are deployed immediately and with urgency.
- Addressing Environmental Justice: Addressing the impact of pollution and climate change on underserved and overburdened communities, who often include those who contribute the least to the problems, needs to be a top priority. Actions including job training and a just transition for those needing to change jobs or have been left behind in other economy-wide changes need to be prioritized in the plan. Additionally, funding is needed to keep communities from falling behind in the transition, including retrofitting low and moderate income homes and making the leap to electric vehicles. Investing in renewable, clean energy today means an investment in jobs, health, and the environment for decades to come.
The Governor and his administration can maintain their commitment to fighting climate change by issuing an executive order accompanying the plan that:
- Provides steps to develop specific and concrete funding mechanisms for the plan
- Outlines and prioritizes a climate focused 2024 legislative agenda
- Establishes regulations and actions that can be implemented immediately
By taking these actions, the Moore administration will reinforce its commitment to environmental stewardship while also ensuring Maryland continues to be a national leader in climate action. Maryland LCV remains committed to working alongside the Administration and state leaders to realize a sustainable and equitable climate future for everyone in Maryland.
Apple Towson Town Center employees received an endorsement from Maryland Governor Wes Moore in their fight against Apple over the company’s decision to close its first US unionized store. Here are the details.
Apple faces new pressure over Towson store closure
A couple of months ago, Apple announced that its Towson Town Center would close its doors for good on June 20, alongside two other stores located in commercial centers in California and Connecticut.
The Apple Towson Town Center workers have been represented by the IAM Union since 2022, after becoming the first Apple retail store in the US to unionize.
Soon after the announcement, IAM Union decried Apple’s handling of the store closure. While the company says that the union agreement only requires transfers within 50 miles of the Towson store, with severance offered otherwise, the IAM Union argues that Apple is denying them the broader relocation options available to employees at non-union stores.
Since then, in addition to the pushback from the IAM Union, Apple has also received letters from Maryland lawmakers and, just yesterday, from40 members of Congress, asking it to reconsider closing the store or to provide Towson employees with the same transfer opportunities offered to workers at non-union stores.
Today, Maryland Governor Wes Moore chimed in, manifesting his support for the Towson workers.
Although Governor Moore stopped short of accusing Apple of union-busting practices, as members of Congress did in their letter to the company, he did explicitly call on Apple to give Towson workers the same transfer rights and opportunities afforded to other employees.
Here’s Governor Moore’s statement:
“The Towson Town Center Apple Store has been a retail anchor for the region since 2022. (…) It’s provided good-paying jobs, increased economic activity, and been an important localized service hub for the region. As the first unionized Apple retail store in the country and a strong-performing location, its workers proved that economic growth and workers’ rights go hand-in-hand. Now, the rug is being pulled out from underneath them. These Marylanders deserve the same transfer rights and opportunities afforded to other Apple employees, and we stand with them.”
The IAM Union praised Governor Moore’s support and called on the company to act before the June 20 deadline.
Apple, for its part, remains silent on the issue, ever since it provided the following statement to 9to5Mac when the IAM Union filed an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board on April 28:
We strongly disagree with the claims made, and we will continue to abide by the agreement that was negotiated and agreed with the union. We look forward to presenting all of the facts to the NLRB.
As of right now, the Apple Towson Town Center’s page says the store will close on June 20 at 8:00 p.m.
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Republican candidate Mariela Roca is making another play for Maryland’s 6th Congressional District. On The Final 5 with Jim Lokay, she talks about her campaign ahead of the June primary, and the lessons she’s learned on the campaign trail.
Baltimore Sun co-owner Armstrong Williams held a town hall to discuss juvenile justice in Maryland.
Williams was joined by a panel featuring DJS Chair Betsy Tolentino, City State’s Attorney Ivan Bates, and Todd Scott, the founder of ‘We Rise.’
There was also a studio audience of teen “success stories.”
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You can watch the full Town Hall above.
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