Today, March 31, 2022, the Climate Solutions Now Act of 2022 (SB528) passed the Senate by a vote of 32-15. In response, Maryland LCV Executive Director Kim Coble issued the following statement:

Thank you to the Maryland General Assembly for passing the Climate Solutions Now Act of 2022. 

Today, the General Assembly has taken steps that put Maryland on the path to lead the nation once again in addressing climate change in a responsible, achievable, and equitable manner. 

Climate change is already placing immense financial burdens on Maryland’s taxpayers, businesses, and communities–and our communities of color and low-income residents are particularly hard hit by climate-related pollution and other problems. The Climate Solutions Now Act takes concrete steps that are good for our economy and all our communities, including:

  • Greenhouse gas emissions reductions targets that are among the strongest in the country;
  • Carefully articulated provisions to allocate resources for low- to-moderate income communities and prevent further harm to communities most vulnerable to climate-related impacts;
  • A pilot program to help more school districts transition their school bus fleets to electric buses, with the goal of protecting the more than 650,000 Maryland children who ride to school on polluting diesel buses; 
  • A path to transition all of Maryland’s state-owned fleet of cars and light-duty trucks from fossil fuel to zero-emission vehicles;
  • Tax exemptions for community solar projects serving low- or moderate-income customers, lessening pressure on our open space and agricultural land while expanding the benefits of solar to underserved communities.
  • Reduced emissions from large buildings by 20% by 2030 and achieve a net-zero target by 2040

We are grateful to the General Assembly, especially Chairman Paul Pinsky, Chairmen Kumar Barve and C.T. Wilson, and Vice Chair Dana Stein, Senate President Bill Ferguson, and House Speaker Adrienne Jones for their dedicated efforts to pass this significant legislation that will benefit all Marylanders. 

Public polling consistently shows that Maryland voters strongly support legislative action that meaningfully addresses the impacts of climate change. This bill meets the urgency of the moment and is responsive to economic, job and justice concerns. Governor Hogan must sign the Climate Solutions Now Act of 2022 to put us on a road to a clean energy future for Maryland’s children.

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