When
Today
Friday, April 19, 2024 at 3:00pm
1 hr
Where
Virtual
Speaking Out Faithfully for Our Common Home
Debrief of 2024 Legislative Session
Join us for our virtual debrief on April 19th at 3 PM to discuss the bills, policies, and initiatives that Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake and Interfaith Power and Light DMV (MD.DC.NoVA) championed throughout the legislative session. We'll explore the lessons learned, celebrate our victories, and analyze areas where we can further improve our strategies moving forward.
We'll discuss:
- Whole Watersheds Protection Act - In order to improve watershed health effectively and efficiently, a coordinated approach that maximizes return on investment from conservation funding sources is needed. This legislation will provide the direction, authority – and funding - needed to ensure this coordinated approach is informed by science and data.The bill will establish a pilot program to identify up to 5 impaired watersheds across Maryland. Watersheds selected for the program will be subject to a comprehensive planning and permitting process bringing together all relevant stakeholders to improve water quality on an expedited timeline using a variety of practices. The goal of the program is to rapidly (on a 5-7 year timeline) remove selected watersheds from the impaired waterways list.
- Impact of Environmental Permits and State Agency Actions - Through lack of historic oversight on preventing the aggregation of polluting industries and facilities in specific places, MD natural habitats and underserved populations are overexposed to pollution. This legislation will give the Maryland Department of the Environment the authority to approve, alter, or deny a permit based on an EJ score, and assessment of other permits and the underlying sociodemographic characteristics of the community. HB 1200 that passed in 2022 required an EJ score be included in the applications for section 1-601 permits. The Climate & Environmental Equity Act builds on this requirement to grant MDE authority to take action based on this information.
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The EmPOWER Maryland Energy Efficiency Act - EmPOWER was created in 2008 to improve state-wide energy efficiency and is paid for by fees on our utility bills. While the program is successful, it can and must do more for our health and climate.
*By registering, you understand that you are opting into communications from Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake and Interfaith Power & Light DMV.
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Hope to see you there!
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