SB 309 was amended on the Senate floor yesterday. As amended, the bill states that the Maryland Department of the Environment may not implement new emissions reduction measures until the Maryland General Assembly enacts legislation specifically authorizing the new measures.

The Maryland Chamber supported this amendment. It’s important because it will require the legislature’s approval before new MDE initiatives take effect. This will ensure the business community has adequate opportunity to educate lawmakers on the business impact of additional CO2 reduction requirements.

As originally drafted, the bill required MDE to report its plans to the General Assembly for review, but not for approval. The Maryland Chamber opposes the bill. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is a national and global issue. State-specific action could place Maryland businesses at a competitive disadvantage.

The Maryland Chamber thanks the senators that supported this amendment:

  DISTRICT 1 (Allegany, Garrett & Washington Counties)
  George C. Edwards (R)

  DISTRICT 2 (Washington County)
  Donald F. Munson (R)

  DISTRICT 3 (Frederick & Washington Counties)
  Alex X. Mooney (R)

  DISTRICT 4 (Frederick & Carroll Counties)
  David R. Brinkley (R)

  DISTRICT 5 (Baltimore County & Carroll Counties)
  Larry E. Haines (R)

  DISTRICT 6 (Baltimore County)
  Norman R. Stone, Jr. (D)

  DISTRICT 7 (Baltimore County & Harford County)
  Andrew P. Harris (R)

  DISTRICT 8 (Baltimore County)
  Katherine A. Klausmeier (D)

  DISTRICT 9 (Carroll & Howard Counties)
  Allan H. Kittleman (R)

  DISTRICT 10 (Baltimore County)
  Delores G. Kelley (D)

  DISTRICT 14 (Montgomery County)
  Rona E. Kramer (D)

  DISTRICT 17 (Montgomery County)
  Jennie M. Forehand (D)

  DISTRICT 24 (Prince George's County)
  Nathaniel Exum (D)

  DISTRICT 25 (Prince George's County)
  Ulysses Currie (D)

  DISTRICT 29 (Calvert, Charles & St. Mary's Counties)
  Roy P. Dyson (D)

  DISTRICT 31 (Anne Arundel County)
  Bryan W. Simonaire (R)

  DISTRICT 32 (Anne Arundel County)
  James E. DeGrange, Sr. (D)

  DISTRICT 33 (Anne Arundel County)
  Janet Greenip (R)

  DISTRICT 34 (Cecil & Harford Counties)
  Nancy Jacobs (R)

  DISTRICT 35 (Harford County)
  Barry Glassman (R)

  DISTRICT 36 (Caroline, Cecil, Kent & Queen Anne's Counties)
  Edward J. (E. J.) Pipkin (R)

  DISTRICT 37 (Caroline, Dorchester, Talbot & Wicomico Counties)
  Richard F. Colburn (R)

  DISTRICT 38 (Somerset, Wicomico & Worcester Counties)
  J. Lowell Stoltzfus (R)

  DISTRICT 40 (Baltimore City)
  Catherine E. Pugh (D)

  DISTRICT 44 (Baltimore City)
  Verna L. Jones (D)

  DISTRICT 45 (Baltimore City)
  Nathaniel J. McFadden (D)

  DISTRICT 46 (Baltimore City)
  George W. Della, Jr. (D)

Related:

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• WBAL Radio: Senate Revamps Global Warming Bill Following Steelworker Protests