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Maryland LCV Hosts statewide Town Hall with Rep. Steny Hoyer about how the Build Back Better Plan will benefit all Marylanders

For Immediate Release

July 13, 2021

Maryland LCV Hosts statewide Town Hall with Rep. Steny Hoyer about how the Build Back Better Plan will benefit all Marylanders

Annapolis, MD– Almost a hundred Marylanders tuned in Tuesday afternoon for a virtual Town Hall with Maryland Congressman Steny Hoyer to discuss how the Biden Administration’s Build Back Better plan will directly benefit Marylanders. Community leaders asked the Congressman questions about how he will champion this ambitious clean energy, environmental justice, and jobs plan.

“I am glad to participate in this evening’s town hall with the Maryland League of Conservation Voters and people across our state who care deeply about how we can build Maryland back better,” said Congressman Hoyer. “Marylanders deserve strong investments in infrastructure that will help lay the foundation for our families, communities, and economy to thrive.

This means creating more union jobs with strong wages, addressing environmental and economic inequities in communities of color, addressing the climate crisis, and boosting our economy at the same time. That is why I am working hard to enact President Biden’s American Jobs Plan into law. I thank the Maryland League of Conservation Voters for hosting this discussion today and all the Marylanders who tuned in because they continue to believe strongly in the importance of a sustainable environment and a robust economy.”

“Marylanders have made clear that they support meaningful investments in climate, clean energy jobs, and justice,” said Kim Coble, Maryland LCV executive director. “The Biden Administration’s Build Back Better plan would deliver these investments, and we greatly appreciate Congressman Hoyer’s leadership role in promoting this much-needed plan.”

“We’re running out of time to tackle the climate crisis and address longstanding environmental injustice in this country,” said Matthew Davis, LCV Senior Director of Government Affairs. “It’s imperative for Congress to pass the entire Build Back Better agenda, and put us on the path to 100% clean energy in order to get people back to work in high-quality jobs while investing in ambitious climate solutions and environmental justice.”

“It is critical that working people are front and center as our economy transitions and that we create good, union jobs, while tackling the climate crisis,” said Dan Taylor, Regional Field Organizer with the BlueGreen Alliance. “The Biden administration’s American Jobs Plan is a great first step that puts people first as it ambitiously tackles today’s challenges.”

“Justice 40 holds tremendous promise for fence line communities in the fight against climate change. To make the promise a reality, the NAACP Maryland State Conference implores our legislators to build in specific language to the funding, oversight, interventions, and authority, to ensure organizations, which have historically been instruments for imposing discriminatory, race-based policies and practices, use the funding as intended.” said Staci Hartwell, Co-Chair, NAACP Maryland State Conference, Environmental and Climate Justice Committee.

“It’s important to ensure that water is a central component of any infrastructure package. We want to see both investment in hard infrastructure and flood-resilient nature-based infrastructure. Wetlands, trees, and aquatic ecosystems are critical to water health as well as drinking water pipes and wastewater treatment facilities,” said Rosa Hance, Maryland Sierra Club Chapter Chair.

“Preservation is not exclusively about the physical power of preserving historic buildings and sites,” said Nicholas Redding, President and CEO of Preservation Maryland. “Preservation is also a valuable workforce development tool; trained hands within trades careers are required to complete vital revitalization and restoration work across the state.”

“The immediate health effects of climate change, such as heat related deaths in the Pacific Northwest, are increasing dramatically. The Biden administration climate plan is ambitious and needs to be passed this year to provide impetus for action to prevent even more catastrophic events in the future. Personally, as a physician, this is a moral imperative. We applaud Congressman Hoyer’s work on this issue.” said Christine D. Berg, M.D. of Greenbelt Climate Action Network.

“The Build Back Better plan will begin to address systemic crises in our frontline communities, including the interconnected challenges of climate change, COVID-19, the economic crisis, and racial injustice,” said Wandra Ashley-Williams, Maryland Regional Director of Climate XChange.

“Access to clean water is essential to a better, healthier, more equitable future. Yet many children and families across the U.S. still do not have access to safe sanitation or lead-free water from their taps—especially in low-income communities of color,” said Becky Hammer, Senior Attorney & Deputy Director of Federal Water Policy at NRDC. “President Biden’s American Jobs Plan would replace 100% of the lead pipe and service lines and modernize the nation’s drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater systems—all at no cost to homeowners.”

“Congress needs to invest in clean water for all and environmental justice for the communities that have borne the brunt of decades of pollution and economic decline,” said Willis Kliefoth, Director of Digital Communications for Potomac Conservancy. “The American Jobs Plan provisions for green jobs, environmental justice, and nature-based infrastructure are key aspects of a bold, holistic vision for economic recovery that will make our communities healthier and more resilient, restore wildlife habitat, and ensure an equitable transition to a green jobs-based economy.”

Partners for this event included Strong Future Maryland, CCAN, GCAN, Sierra Club- SoMD, National Wildlife Federation, Preservation MD, NAACP-MSC, Climate X Change, NRDC, Potomac Conservancy, and Blue Green Alliance.

This event was recorded and streamed live on facebook.

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Maryland LCV is known for educating lawmakers and holding them accountable for their leadership and votes on key environmental issues. Their annual scorecard, along with other reports, help inform voters about their legislators’ records.

Mdlcv.org

By Dannielle Lipinski|2021-07-13T17:03:36-04:00July 13th, 2021|Categories: Press|Tags: American Jobs Plan, Build Back Better, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, Town Hall|0 Comments

Maryland LCV Lauds Senators Cardin and Van Hollen for Chesapeake Bay Funding Efforts

U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) are leading Democratic senators from throughout the Chesapeake Bay Watershed in urging the leadership of the Senate Committee on Appropriations to support strong funding levels for several agencies and programs vital to the recovery and stewardship of the Chesapeake Bay. The Senators’ funding request is here.

“The Chesapeake Bay is a natural treasure that is crucial to Maryland’s voters, watermen, businesses, and tourism,” said Maryland LCV Executive Director Kim Coble. “Senators Cardin and Van Hollen have long fought to restore the Chesapeake and for sound water policies that ensure everyone in Maryland has clean water to drink, explore, and enjoy. We once again thank Maryland’s Senators for their efforts to ensure the Chesapeake Bay’s continued restoration is fully funded and prioritized.”

By Dannielle Lipinski|2021-06-23T19:12:22-04:00June 23rd, 2021|Categories: Blog, Clean Water and the Bay, Policy, Press|Tags: chesapeake bay, Kim Coble, Senator Cardin, Senator Van Hollen|0 Comments

Maryland LCV Hosts statewide Town Hall with special guest, Senator Chris Van Hollen about the benefits of the American Jobs Plan for all Marylanders

For Immediate Release

June 23, 2021

Maryland LCV Hosts statewide Town Hall with special guest, Senator Chris Van Hollen about the benefits of the American Jobs Plan for all Marylanders

Annapolis, MD– Over a hundred Marylanders tuned in Tuesday afternoon for a virtual Town Hall with special guest Senator Chris Van Hollen to discuss the federal American Jobs Plan and how the plan will directly benefit Marylanders. Community leaders asked the Senator questions about how he will champion this much-needed economic, environmental, and equity-driven policy.

“Marylanders are urging our elected leaders to create good-paying jobs while tackling climate change and environmental racism,” said Kim Coble, Maryland LCV executive director. “We are grateful to Senator Van Hollen for his leadership on this essential policy. A large majority (83%) of Maryland voters are clear that they support the investments of the American Jobs Plan in climate, clean energy jobs, and justice.”

“It’s time for Congress to pass the American Jobs Plan and get millions of people back to work in high-quality jobs while investing in ambitious climate solutions, environmental justice, and clean energy,” said Tiernan Sittenfeld, LCV SVP of Government Affairs. “We are running out of time to tackle the climate crisis and address longstanding environmental injustice in this country.”

“As our country builds back from the COVID-19 pandemic, we have the chance to modernize and build our infrastructure for the 21st century while tackling climate change and creating good-paying jobs. President Biden’s American Jobs Plan lays the foundation for a more inclusive economy that expands opportunity for Marylanders and folks across our country. I’ve been proud to fight for many provisions within this plan, including legislation to create a national climate bank, cut energy costs for homeowners, create clean energy jobs and technology, and invest in efforts to restore the health of the Chesapeake Bay and boost our state’s economy. I am committed to working in Congress to see these provisions through and ensure a brighter future for every Marylander,” said Senator Chris Van Hollen.

“Preservation is not exclusively about the physical power of preserving historic buildings and sites,” said Nicholas Redding, President and CEO of Preservation Maryland. “Preservation is also a valuable workforce development tool; trained hands within trades careers are required to complete vital revitalization and restoration work across the state.”

“Between climate change, COVID-19, the economic crisis, and racial injustice, we find ourselves in the midst of an interconnected series of epidemics with shared, systemic roots. Unless those root causes are addressed, crises will continue to grow in those same frontline communities,” said Wandra Ashley-Williams, Maryland Regional Director of Climate XChange and Maryland State Conference NAACP. “With the American Jobs Plan, we have the opportunity to address these through Justice 40: the idea that 40% of the funding in the American Jobs Plan will go to local and frontline communities affected by climate change the most.”

Partners for this event included Strong Future Maryland, Maryland Forestry Foundation, Greenbelt Climate Action Network, Sierra Club Maryland Chapter, National Wildlife Federation Action Fund, Preservation MD, NAACP MSC, Climate XChange, Chesapeake Climate Action Network, Potomac Conservancy, and NRDC.

This event was recorded and streamed live on facebook.

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By Dannielle Lipinski|2021-06-24T09:09:28-04:00June 23rd, 2021|Categories: Blog, Climate Change, Community/ Government, DEIJ, Press|Tags: American Jobs Plan, Climate Recovery, Senator Chris Van Hollen, Town Hall|0 Comments

The American Jobs Plan will Build Maryland Back Better

Every four years, the American Society of Civil Engineers’ Report Card for America’s Infrastructure depicts the condition and performance of American infrastructure in the familiar form of a school report card—assigning letter grades based on the physical condition and needed investments for improvement.

In 2021, Maryland received a lackluster “C” grade, and the country’s infrastructure as a whole fared even worse, earning a “C-“ grade. The Biden Administration’s American Jobs Plan would make an historic investment in addressing the nation’s significant infrastructure challenges and help to raise our grade.

The American Jobs Plan will mobilize the country to address the climate crisis and long-standing and persistent racial injustice. The plan targets 40 percent of the benefits of climate and clean infrastructure investments to disadvantaged communities. And the plan also invests in rural communities and communities impacted by the market-based transition to clean energy.

Sign the petition today asking our congressional leaders to lead the way on this critical legislation>>

Here is just a sampling of key areas where the plan has the potential to deliver big for Maryland:

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION: Maryland suffers from some of the worst public transit in the nation. Marylanders who take public transportation spend an extra 66.3% of their time commuting than those in cars and people of color are 2.7 times more likely to commute via public transportation.

RESILIENT INFRASTRUCTURE: From 2010 to 2020, Maryland has experienced 31 extreme weather events, costing the state up to $10 billion in damages. The President is calling for $50 billion to improve the resiliency of our infrastructure and support communities’ recovery from disaster. The plan will upgrade and modernize America’s drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater systems with a focus on green infrastructure and using nature and nature based systems. It will invest in rural small water systems, household wells, and wastewater systems, including drainage fields.

DRINKING WATER: Over the next 20 years, Maryland’s drinking water infrastructure will require $9.3 billion in additional funding. The American Jobs Plan includes a $111 billion national investment to ensure clean, safe drinking water is a right in all communities. The plan will replace 100% of lead pipes and service lines. President Biden’s plan also provides $10 billion in funding to monitor and remediate PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) nationwide.

HOME ENERGY: In Maryland, an average low-income family spends 6-8% of their income on home energy costs (compared to the average Maryland family spending 1.8% of income). The AJP will upgrade low-income homes to make them more energy efficient, saving homeowners money.

ACCELERATE CHESAPEAKE BAY RESTORATION: A key component of this plan is to protect and, where necessary, restore nature-based infrastructure – our lands, forests, wetlands, watersheds, and coastal and ocean resources. There are over $1 billion in shovel ready projects in Maryland that could be financed through Clean Water State Revolving Funds with help from the American Jobs Plan.

GREEN JOBS: The plan will create a New Civilian Climate Corps. This $10 billion investment nationwide will put a new, diverse generation of Americans to work conserving our public lands and waters, bolstering community resilience, and advancing environmental justice.

The plan also promises significant upgrades for Maryland and other states in broadband access, manufacturing, clean energy jobs, home energy upgrades, and childcare assistance. You can find a comprehensive fact sheet on the plan’s benefits for Maryland here.

At Maryland LCV, we are committed to creatively and aggressively protecting the state’s land, air, water, and communities, and especially meeting the challenges of the climate crisis. We can’t reach those goals unless Maryland’s infrastructure is improved dramatically in a way that meets the needs of all our residents. The American Jobs Plan’s focus on climate, jobs, and justice positions it as a bold and much-needed investment in Maryland and the country.

Download our Maryland factsheet on the American Jobs Plan here.

And check out the recent polling on what Marylanders think of the American Jobs Plan here:

83% of voters across the state support the American Jobs Plan
83% think it’s important that Congress takes action to address climate change
85% support investments in clean energy jobs
78% support ensuring the benefits of climate and clean energy investments go to the environmental justice communities long exploited by polluters.

On June 22, 2021 we held a Town Hall with Senator Chris Van Hollen and on July 13 we held another Town Hall with Majority Leader Steny Hoyer with over 100 Marylanders at each event to talk about the American Jobs Plan and how it will affect Maryland. Watch the recordings here.

By Dannielle Lipinski|2021-07-23T13:58:52-04:00June 14th, 2021|Categories: Blog, Clean Water and the Bay, Climate Change, Community/ Government, DEIJ, Uncategorized|Tags: American Jobs Plan, Climate Recovery|0 Comments

Statement on the Cancellation of the Keystone Pipeline

“The cancellation of the Keystone Pipeline is a victory that reaffirms all that Maryland LCV stands for. Elections matter, climate justice is worth fighting for, and when people work together to protect their land, air and water, they can overcome even the biggest industry opponents.”

More information on NPR

By Dannielle Lipinski|2021-06-10T15:15:16-04:00June 10th, 2021|Categories: Blog|Tags: Keystone Pipeline|0 Comments

LCV and MD, NJ, NY, PA, OR affiliates laud House Committee passage of INVEST in America Act

Washington, D.C. — The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) and its statewide affiliates from five key states lauded the passage of landmark legislation designed to create jobs by investing in efforts to curb climate change through an important committee.

a once-in-a-generation comprehensive proposal to put the United States on the path to addressing our global climate crisis by investing $2.2 trillion to create millions of good-paying, high-quality jobs rebuilding the United States’ crumbling infrastructure.

“We applaud Chairman DeFazio for his leadership on this comprehensive surface transportation bill which will help to move our country toward a pollution-free future while creating good jobs in the process, “said Sara Chieffo, LCV Vice President of Government Affairs. “The INVEST in America Act includes transformative investments that will help maintain and improve public transit, accelerate fleet transition to zero-emission vehicles, and strengthen passenger rail. This is just the beginning – it’s time for Congress to pass the full American Jobs Plan — the plan that centers climate, clean energy, jobs, and justice and has the backing of labor unions, environmental justice leaders, businesses, and local leaders from across the country. We must seize this opportunity to make once-in-a-generation progress.”

Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania, New Jersey League of Conservation Voters, the New York League of Conservation Voters, Maryland League of Conservation Voters, and Oregon League of Conservation Voters hailed votes to approve the INVEST in America Act from members of Congress from their states.

“People don’t tend to think of committees as thrilling catalysts of great change, but the legislation passed out of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will change the world,” said Josh McNeil, executive director of Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania. “Pennsylvanians and our fellow Americans will gain good jobs, breathe cleaner air, and enjoy modern trains, bridges, and water pipes because of this moment.”

“Investments in public transit and modernizing our electric grid will create well-paying union jobs while helping to curb harmful emissions that cause climate change and exacerbate public health problems, including asthma and heart disease, that disproportionately affect communities of color,” said Ed Potosnak, executive director, New Jersey League of Conservation Voters. “We want to thank our environmental champions for moving this critical legislation through Congress.”

In New Jersey, Reps. Donald Payne, who chairs the Subcommittee on Railroads, and Tom Malinowski voted in favor of advancing the legislation.

Today’s move represents an important step in Congress advancing the president’s infrastructure agenda. Following this key committee vote, and we expect the INVEST in America Act will soon be up for a vote on the House floor.

“We constantly receive new data confirming the urgency of reducing emissions that cause climate change and health problems, especially in frontline and fenceline communities,” said Maryland LCV executive director, Kim Coble. “We thank Maryland’s congressional delegation for recognizing the critical role reforming transportation policy must play in putting people to work while protecting our environment and our most vulnerable communities.”

“As Washington prepares to finalize the American Jobs Plan, New York congressmembers are helping to make it a reality,” said Julie Tighe, President of the New York League of Conservation Voters. “Transportation is the leading contributor to climate change in New York and nationwide. The INVEST in America Act, which is in line with the goals of the American Jobs Plan, would fund mass transit and rail while prioritizing frontline communities. It will cut emissions, promote clean transportation, and create good-paying green jobs. It will also make commuting easier for New Yorkers by investing in Amtrak’s bridges and tunnels like the proposed Gateway Tunnel. This progress reiterates that our climate recovery goes hand in hand with our economic recovery.”

“For over 30 years, the people of Oregon have called Chairman DeFazio an environmental champion, and his leadership to pass new comprehensive transportation reform shows you why,” said Doug Moore, Executive Director of the Oregon League of Conservation Voters. “If we are going to tackle climate change, we need to fundamentally change how we move around our state and country. The INVEST in American Act accelerates our transition to clean transportation options, electric vehicles, and will improve air quality for millions of people across Oregon and the country. This is the meaningful progress we need to see from Congress and we are thankful to have Chairman DeFazio fighting every day for our future and the future for our kids.”

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By Dannielle Lipinski|2021-06-10T13:49:55-04:00June 10th, 2021|Categories: Blog, Press|Tags: American Jobs Plan, Climate Recovery, INVEST, LCV|0 Comments

Recordings of Virtual Town Halls with Senator Chris Van Hollen and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer

On June 22, 2021 over a hundred Marylanders tuned in Tuesday afternoon for a virtual Town Hall with special guest Senator Chris Van Hollen to discuss the federal American Jobs Plan and how the plan will directly benefit Marylanders. Community leaders asked the Senator questions about how he will champion this much-needed economic, environmental, and equity-driven policy.

Check out the recording below and our press release here.

On July 13, 2021 a hundred Marylanders tuned in Tuesday afternoon for a virtual Town Hall with special guest Majority Leader Steny Hoyer to discuss the federal Build Back Better package and the American Jobs Plan and how the plan will directly benefit Marylanders. Community leaders asked the Congressmember questions about how he will champion this much-needed economic, environmental, and equity-driven policy.

Check out the recording below and our press release here.

By Dannielle Lipinski|2021-07-16T11:58:03-04:00June 1st, 2021|Categories: Blog, Clean Water and the Bay|Tags: American Jobs Plan, Climate Recovery, Senator Chris Van Hollen, Town Hall|0 Comments

STATEMENT of the SAVE MARYLAND TRANSIT COALITION on Gov. Hogan’s Last-Minute Veto of the Maryland Transit Safety & Investment Act

For Immediate Release
May 28, 2021

STATEMENT of the SAVE MARYLAND TRANSIT COALITION on Gov. Hogan’s Last-Minute Veto of the Maryland Transit Safety & Investment Act

Late Friday afternoon, Gov. Larry Hogan vetoed bi-partisan legislation designed to improve Maryland’s public transit system and eliminate a $2 billion maintenance backlog that leaves the system prone to constant breakdowns and unsafe for operators and riders.

“By vetoing the Transit Safety & Investment Act, Governor Hogan has signaled he does not support our healthcare workers, port employees, or the hundreds of thousands of Marylanders who depend on transit everyday to get to work,” said bill sponsor Del. Brooke Lierman. “The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) over which he presides has $2 billion of unmet safety and state-of-good repair needs because of six years of disinvestment by his Administration. He has passed the buck to future administrations. He has done a huge disservice to Maryland businesses, our economy, and the livelihood of our state by vetoing this bipartisan bill. I look forward to overriding this veto and creating a sustainable and equitable transportation system in this state. “

“This is a setback for Maryland’s infrastructure, Maryland’s economy, and, most importantly, for the Marylanders who rely on the MTA to get to school, to work, to the pharmacy, and other places they need to go,” said bill sponsor Sen. Cory McCray. “I look forward to working with my colleagues to override the Governor’s veto, providing critical investments to our public transit system, making it safer and more reliable.“

The Transit Safety & Investment Act (SB199/HB 114), which passed the 2021 Maryland General Assembly with strong bi-partisan support, would require the state to make investments to maintain and operate Maryland’s public transit system. The new funding is needed to improve service and reliability and to ensure the system’s trains, buses, and facilities are safe. The legislation also contains funding for a feasibility study of expanding MARC commuter trains to Western Maryland — a huge boon for that area’s economy. It also includes $1 million to help small businesses impacted by the prolonged construction of the Purple Line in Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties.

The Hogan Administration opposed the bill despite broad support. In fact, the Senate Budget & Taxation Committee received over 70 letters supporting the bill from a wide range of Marylanders, including the Maryland Asphalt Association, not generally known for its support of public transit.

Advocates denounced the Governor’s move.

“The Hogan Administration says it wants flexibility, but unfortunately it has used its flexibility to let the MTA’s backlog of maintenance needs pile up for years. This bill says ‘fix it first’; take care of maintenance and safety before you flex funds to other projects you want to pursue. In an ideal world, we wouldn’t need a bill like this, but experience has shown us we do,” said Brian O’Malley, President & CEO, Central Maryland Transportation Alliance.

“This is another poor decision from ‘Beltway Hogan,’” said Jed Weeks, Policy Director, Bikemore. “Just two years ago the governor was only too happy to release $97 million in funding to WMATA, the Washington, D.C., transit system, but somehow he draws the line on funding his own state’s system. Every dollar invested in transit creates not only more jobs than those invested in highway expansion but does so in a way that is sustainable, equitable, and community-driven.”

“The NAACP condemns this short-sighted action. It’s clear that Larry Hogan doesn’t want Maryland to reap the benefits of a world-class transit system. Unfortunately, it’s underserved neighborhoods, and too often Black and brown neighborhoods, that bear the disproportionate brunt of Larry Hogan’s system-—a system that leads the nation in breakdowns. This is first and foremost a social justice issue,” said Staci Hartwell, Co-chair for Environmental and Climate Justice, NAACP Maryland State Conference.

“Gov. Hogan is out of step with what Marylanders in the 21st century need,” said Josh Tulkin, Director, Maryland Sierra Club. “This legislation would help Marylanders have better access to safe and reliable transit and reduce climate pollution. We call on the General Assembly to override his veto as soon as they are in session.”

“The Transit Safety & Investment Act truly benefits all of Maryland and especially our most neglected communities,” said Maryland LCV Executive Director Kim Coble. “We are extremely disappointed that the Governor chose to not support a bi-partisan, win-win initiative that creates jobs, fights climate change and supports communities.”

The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) has been underinvested for years and riders suffer the consequences every day. Governor Hogan’s decision to withhold investment in the system leaves students, seniors and essential workers out in the cold, forced to rely on multiple connections to go short distances, making it almost impossible to get where they’re going on time. Since Governor Hogan took office, MTA’s share of the state’s capital transportation program has fallen from 31 percent to just 19 percent. The result is that MTA’s rail systems – Metro Subway, and Light Rail – break down more frequently than any comparable rail systems in the entire country, MARC Commuter Rail breaks down fourth most, and buses most among peer systems. Paratransit services also malfunction–leaving riders stranded. And MTA has identified over $2 billion in unfunded essential system maintenance and critical enhancements over the next decade.

The Transit Safety & Investment Act also would make funds available for locally operated transit systems across the state. The measure is designed to promote racial equity and strengthen Maryland’s economy by improving service in underserved communities and to help the state address climate change by expanding mass transit ridership.

For more information, visit https://savemdtransit.org/

By Dannielle Lipinski|2021-05-28T17:28:23-04:00May 28th, 2021|Categories: Blog, Press|Tags: Fund Maryland Transit, Save Maryland Transit, Veto|0 Comments

American Jobs Plan Petition

By Dannielle Lipinski|2021-05-27T10:31:09-04:00May 27th, 2021|Categories: Action Alert, Blog, Climate Change|Tags: American Jobs Plan, Climate Recovery|0 Comments

Maryland LCV Comments of the SC Maglev Project

May 24th, 2021

Re: Comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS), Draft Section 4(f) Evaluation, Draft Section 106 Programmatic Agreement, and Ridership Studies for the Baltimore-Washington SCMAGLEV Project

Maryland League of Conservation Voters (Maryland LCV) is intrigued by the idea of high-speed rail in Maryland and appreciates the opportunity to comment on the DEIS for the proposed SCMAGLEV project. As currently outlined in the DEIS, we have significant concerns with the project. These comments outline our concerns and our recommendations regarding the commitments Baltimore-Washington
Rapid Rail, LLC (BWRR) need to make to address our concerns.

Maryland LCV is committed to a healthy environment for everyone in Maryland. We believe climate change is the most urgent environmental threat facing people and our planet. We fight to protect clean air and water and strive for equity and racial justice in everything we do. The general concept of a magnetic levitation train system presents intriguing opportunities towards our core mission and
values. Maryland needs transit-oriented development and additional investment in public transportation systems that reduce demand for fossil fuel powered cars. We hope to see investments in transit projects that will reduce the demand for carbon intensive transportation. We also support projects that provide good paying, family supporting jobs for all Marylanders and strongly support union jobs in the public
transportation industry.

Maryland LCV has three areas of significant concern regarding the SCMAGLEV Project based on the information presented in the DEIS and discussions with various stakeholders.

1) Energy consumption and carbon footprint: The DEIS states that this project could require 3 trillion BTUs of energy and this energy consumption does not appear to be offset by the potential drop in traffic. If powered by the traditional fossil fuel intensive grid in Maryland, the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in this state will increase because of this project, even after accounting for the decreased car traffic. Unless the train is entirely powered by renewable sources such as wind and solar energy, the project has a significant carbon footprint.
Maryland LCV strongly encourages BWRR to commit to reduce the fossil fuel energy consumption to net zero. Specifically, we encourage BWRR to commit to ensuring the energy to power all aspects of the project comes from Tier 1 renewable sources including wind and solar power. Additionally, if solar panels and wind turbines to supply the estimated 3 trillion BTUs of needed energy for the project need to be built, BWRR should avoid removing forests or other natural areas, and costs of the increased clean energy infrastructure should be paid by BWRR.

2) Impact on protected natural areas: All the alternative routes presented in the DEIS go through the protected natural areas that make up the ‘green wedge’ of central Maryland. This is the largest remaining habitat hub in the region of which contiguous habitat is particularly important to forest interior dwelling species. All proposed alternatives have impacts on federally protected land and the
sponsor preferred alternative impacts the federally protected research refuge, the nation’s only national wildlife refuge established to support wildlife research. The proposed byway, 200-acre transit maintenance facility and other infrastructure create significant impervious surfaces that will create significant stormwater loads to impacted watersheds. All alternatives create significant impacts on forests, wetlands, and local waterways. According to the DEIS, conservation and mitigation requirements are according to state minimum standards which we find insufficient to mitigate the high ecological importance of these areas.

Maryland LCV strongly encourages BWRR to go beyond state minimums to address impacts on Maryland’s lands and waters. Specifically, impact on natural land, especially federally protected natural land must be minimized to the maximum extent practicable, and this project must not remove land from the nation’s only research refuge. Mature ecosystems provide far greater ecological stability than newly planted ones. Where impact to natural areas is unavoidable, BWRR must commit to ambitious restoration and permanently protect ratios to compensate for affected ecosystems. BWRR should commit to a reforestation ratio of five acres of afforestation and permanent protection provided to compensate for every one acre removed or significantly impacted (5:1), and at a wetland/floodplain mitigation ratio of 10 acres restored for every one acre that is significantly impacted (10:1). All other impacted ecosystems should be restored at a 2:1 ratio. Replanting and permanent protection must be in hubs and corridors of contiguous habitat as outlined in the Maryland state and/or local green infrastructure maps.

3) Equity concerns on local communities, communities of color, and potential environmental justice hotspots: It is our assumption that the greatest benefits of the project as outlined in the DEIS are focused on the more wealthy and the areas outside the communities directly impacted by the project. While investment in underserved areas such as Cherry Hill could provide economic uplift to
the area, there is also the danger of current residents being priced out of this area through gentrification. There is also concern that communities along the train route could be adversely affected by direct and indirect impacts such as the high winds caused by the fresh air egress facilities and increased stormwater and air pollution from parking structures at train hubs.

Maryland LCV is deeply committed to not only avoiding impacts but lifting up underserved communities and strongly encourages BWRR to commit to doing everything they can to improve and support these communities. Specifically, we encourage BWRR to provide a fare assistance program for “blue collar” workers and moderate-to-low income households in the communities impacted by this project (e.g. Cherry Hill). Assistance programs must also be put in place to ensure that any impacts upon the local communities are fairly and equitably mitigated. For example, BWRR could create robust programs to protect affected communities to ensure they are not priced out of
their neighborhood and forced to leave due to gentrification. Of most importance, however, is that BWRR commits to creating and implementing programs and solutions that are designed by the communities. Representatives of these communities need to play a formal and integral role in addressing the potential adverse impacts of the project. Finding, supporting, and engaging these representatives needs to be a top priority for BWRR.

Maryland needs to aggressively work to reduce GHG emissions. A high-speed rail system that is sourced from renewable energy could play an important role in meeting this goal. However, as presented in the DEIS Maryland LCV has significant concerns with this project. BWRR needs to commit to producing a net- zero GHG project, ensuring local impacted communities are engaged in determining how they can be strengthened by the project and that impacts to natural areas are avoided at all cost. If there are unavoidable impacts, the project should mitigate far more than the minimum requirements. BWRR has an opportunity to send a clear signal and be a leader by making the above commitments to Maryland’s land, water, climate, and people.

Download a copy of our public comments here.

By Dannielle Lipinski|2021-06-07T11:16:42-04:00May 24th, 2021|Categories: Blog|Tags: Maglev, SC Maglev|0 Comments

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