FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Honorees’ work will have lasting impact for all Marylanders

Annapolis, MD (August 27, 2026) – Today, the Maryland League of Conservation Voters (Maryland LCV) announced the recipients of two awards to be presented at its signature annual event Changemakers: Celebrating Environmental Leaders, on October 1, 2026. This year’s awards will be presented to: U.S. Congressman Steny Hoyer as the 2026 John V. Kabler Environmental Leadership Award recipient and the Howard County Office of Community Sustainability as the 2026 Climate Champion Award recipient. These awards honor Marylanders who have demonstrated vision, leadership, and courage in protecting clean water, healthy air, and climate-resilient communities.

“This year’s Changemakers event will celebrate those who have shown extraordinary leadership in advancing Maryland’s environmental goals, particularly our commitment to protect our natural resources and advance a clean-energy future for Marylanders,” said Kim Coble, Executive Director of Maryland LCV.

U.S. Congressman Steny Hoyer will be honored as the 2026 John V. Kabler Environmental Leadership Award recipient for his lifelong public service in protecting Maryland’s environment in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the Maryland General Assembly. Throughout his career, Hoyer has fought tirelessly to restore the Chesapeake Bay, defend environmental safeguards, and advance strong environmental policy. While representing Maryland’s Fifth Congressional District, Hoyer has supported every major piece of environmental legislation and has co-sponsored numerous bills to protect and restore the Bay and its tributaries, including the “Chesapeake Bay Restoration Act.” As the House Majority Leader, Hoyer played a central leadership role in passing the single greatest climate bill in history–the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. Congressman Hoyer’s leadership has helped secure crucial funding for Maryland’s waterways, air, and public green spaces. Maryland LCV celebrates his career and wishes him the very best in retirement.

“I’m humbled to receive this award, made even more meaningful by the legacy of John V. Kabler whom it honors, Congressman Hoyer said. “In founding the Maryland League of Conservation Voters and helping to build it into a powerful advocate for the Chesapeake and the other beautiful landscapes of our state, John set an example for us all. I’m proud to continue that work, in partnership with the Maryland LCV, and to have made protecting Maryland’s vulnerable ecosystems a major priority during my 45 years in Congress.”

The 2026 Climate Champion award will go to the Howard County Office of Community Sustainability in recognition of the County’s outstanding leadership advancing clean energy. Howard County is a leader among local governments, both in Maryland and nationwide, in developing and deploying clean energy to significantly reduce pollution and save residents money. It established a Climate Action and Resiliency Plan in 2023, which focuses on emission reduction, increasing resiliency, and environmental equity. In the three years since, Howard County has increased solar energy by 67 percent from 108 megawatts to 180 megawatts. Today, over half of the local government’s electricity comes from clean solar power. As the first jurisdiction in Maryland to become a community solar developer, Howard County will bring discounted solar energy to low- and moderate-income households. Howard County has set a valuable example for other jurisdictions looking to advance clean energy for the benefit of their communities.

“I am grateful to the Maryland League of Conservation Voters for its decades of outstanding advocacy on environmental issues. While the climate crisis and clean energy transition are global issues, local communities are on the front lines of making a climate-resilient and clean energy future possible,” said Howard County Executive Calvin Ball. “Since taking office in December 2018, we have prioritized climate action by implementing our bold ‘Climate Forward’ plan through a whole-of-government and whole-of-community approach. Doing so strengthens our public health, enhances our shared prosperity, and bolsters energy affordability and independence. I am honored to share this recognition with our entire team at Howard County Government. May we continue to make even greater progress in driving climate progress forward so that Howard County and Maryland remain the best place to live, work, play, grow, and thrive for generations to come.”

Join Maryland LCV in honoring our awardees at the 2026 Changemakers: Celebrating Environmental Leaders event on Thursday, October 1 at The M&T Bank Exchange at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center in Baltimore City. Tickets and sponsorship information are available at www.mdlcv.org/changemakers. Press passes are available upon email request to changemakers@mdlcv.org.

About Changemakers

Changemakers: Celebrating Environmental Leaders is Maryland LCV’s annual signature event that brings together over 400 of our state’s elected officials, business and nonprofit leaders, and environmental advocates. Changemakers is a place to build community, foster collaboration, and drive progress for environmental solutions. For more information, visit www.mdlcv.org/changemakers.

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Media Contact

Shawn Drury, Director of Communications
571.259.3501
sdrury@mdlcv.org

About Maryland LCV

Maryland LCV has served as the trusted, non-partisan resource on environmental issues for Maryland’s elected officials and voters for over 45 years. The Annual Environmental Scorecard and biannual Governor’s Report Card spotlight the environmental votes of elected officials. Maryland LCV’s endorsements signal to voters that a candidate has made a commitment to demonstrate leadership on environmental issues when elected to office.

For more information about Maryland LCV and its initiatives, visit: www.MDLCV.org.