Key climate bills  

• Clean Energy Jobs Act is Maryland’s three-step plan to 100% renewable energy. 
• The Maryland Pipeline & Water Protection Act would require the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) to conduct full, independent reviews of proposed fracked-gas pipelines using its authority under the federal Clean Water Act. MDE could not waive this authority as it did for the Potomac Pipeline.
• Ban on Polystyrene Foam (Styrofoam) Food Containers for food service businesses and schools.
• Plastic Bag Fee would give Howard County the authority to impose a fee on single-use plastic bags at checkout. (See more below.)
• The Green Amendment would add Marylanders' right to breathable air, uncontaminated water and a clean environment to the state Constitution, along with current rights, such as free speech and freedom of religion.
• Transportation Climate Accountability Act of 2019 would require a comprehensive study of the anticipated greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution of any highway project, either state-funded or built through a public-private partnership.

Action Alert:
 Plastic bag fee
Delegation work session (& possible vote)
Wednesday, Jan. 23, 8:30 a.m.
Call your legislators, submit testimony today
Find your MD lawmakers: www.mdelect.net
State delegation website

Keep your letters coming in support of a fee on plastic bags in Howard County. In order for Howard County to consider the fee, the General Assembly first has to pass Delegate Terri Hill's enabling bill, Ho. Co. 4–19. Send emails to hoc1@mlis.state.md.us to let your state senator and delegates know that we want to pass this fee on plastic bags at checkout in Howard County. Statistics and talking points are here. Here's a Baltimore Sun article about the bill and some facts about single-use plastic bags. The European Union has voted to ban single-use plastic by 2021.  

  Protect our climate from big highway pollution


Webinar with Maryland Delegate Steward
Thursday, Jan. 24, 7 p.m.

Learn more about the transportation bill Delegate Steward is sponsoring that would require the state to measure the effect on climate of proposed large transportation projects.  

Info and register here

Speaking out for creation: Legislative briefing 
Sunday, Feb. 17, 2 - 4:30 p.m. 
First Presbyterian Church of Howard County

Rescheduled from January: Two of Earth Forum's partners, Interfaith Power & Light and Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake, will discuss how to advocate for environmental bills during the 2019 General Assembly session. Key environmental issues for 2019 are the Green Amendment, the Clean Energy Jobs Act, and a ban on Styrofoam food containers. More details coming.