LCV: Maryland “A national leader in environmental policy.” Steady progress for Chesapeake, Open Space, Alternative Energy
MARYLAND – Several sources close to the environmental community now say that Maryland, under the leadership of Governor Martin O’Malley and Lt. Governor Anthony Brown, has become a national leader in protecting the environment, promoting sustainable development, and investing in alternative energy. This new progress for Maryland’s environment comes after the preceding Republican administration was widely regarded as choosing wealthy polluters over the public good, having received failing grades from the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) and even getting caught trying to sell-off protected state lands in a secret deal with a wealthy developer.
This year, the O’Malley-Brown Administration earned the best marks from LCV in Maryland’s history and was cited by the organization as being “a national leader in environmental policy.” “Protecting the land, the water, and the air which sustain us will be an important part of our legacy to future generations,” said Governor O’Malley. “We will continue to make our environment a top priority for this Administration.” In March of 2007, the Washington Post citied the O’Malley-Brown Administration as having ushered in an “eco-friendly era” in Maryland. And, in March of 2008, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation said the Administration had offered the “most forward looking environmental agenda in twenty years.” Even some constituencies which have not traditionally supported Democrats are starting to take notice. In June, the Legislative Sportsmen’s Foundation honored the Governor with the “Best Friend of the Year” because of his leadership in promoting conservation.
The O’Malley-Brown Administration is receiving national attention as well. In June, the Keystone Center awarded Governor O’Malley with their 2008 Leadership in Government Award for his strong environmental record. As part of this strong record, the O’Malley-Brown Administration created and secured funding for the Chesapeake 2010 Trust Fund and created the BayStat program to ensure that resources are targeted efficiently and effectively. In addition they pushed for the first update to Maryland’s Critical Areas laws in nearly a quarter century, restored Maryland’s Office of Smart Growth, and fully-funded Program Open Space while insuring that Open Space dollars actually go toward protecing rural and agricultural lands, rather than plugging budget shortfalls.
Governor O’Malley and Lt. Governor Brown are also working to make Maryland a national leader on alternative energy and energy conservation. They led the charge to pass landmark clean cars legislation, to set new green standards for public buildings, and to require utilities to use 20% renewable energy by 2022. They’ve also set some of the most ambitious goals in the nation to lower per capital energy consumption 15% by 2015 through an initiative they call EmPOWER Maryland. And, under their leadership, Maryland led the push for the first-in-the-nation cap-and-trade auction of greenhouse gases, which will occur next month.
“As Marylanders, we’re united in our shared preference for a more sustainable future,” said Governor O’Malley. “And working together as One Maryland, together we will continue to make progress for our shared priorities.”
