"A cleaner, greener and more sustainble future for the people of Maryland"
Governor O'Malley Announces 'Smart Sites'
15 Projects across Maryland designated among first round
Governor Martin O’Malley announced 15 Maryland "Smart Site" projects across our state that have demonstrated a commitment to making investments that revitalize Maryland's tremendous business districts, transit hubs and neighborhoods to help our state achieve smarter growth.
“The only way to bring back and restore the health of the Bay is to acknowledge the science, and to find better ways to get – not to vilify one another, not to demonize one another, but to put the facts out on the table and figure out a better way forward..”
– Septic Legislation Press Conference, 2011
Acomplishments
- This year's budget fully funds Program Open Space and provides a rescord $25 million investment in the Chesapeake Bay 2010 Trust fund, bringing total investment over five years to $88 million.
- The Administration passed the Maryland Clean Energy Incentive Act of 2010.
- The Motor Vehicle Excise Tax gives Marylanders a vehicle excise tax exemption for qualified plug-in electric drive vehicles to encourage Marylanders to make more environmentally-friendly automobile purchases.
- The Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard Increases the amount of solar on the grid and accelerates Maryland’s ability to meet its RPS goal of producing 20% of our energy from renewable source by 2022.
2012 Legislation
Offshore Wind Energy Act of 2012
Establishes an offshore wind energy credit carve-out system within Maryland's existing renewable portfolio standard
Bay Restoration Fund
Provides grants to owners of wastewater treatmetn plants to reduce nutrient pollution to the Chesapeake Bay by upgrading the systems with enhanced nutrient removal technology.
Sustainable Growth and Preservation Act
Assists local communities in moving septic growth away from areas where it will contribute to sprawl and pollution.
