Senate Bill Number: SB0096

House Bill Number: HB0024

Vision: 

To empower 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.

Bill Sponsors:  

If Passed, What Would this Bill Do? 

1. Ensure that key state agencies in Maryland are held accountable (through reporting) to the state’s climate, environmental justice goals;

2. Require thorough planning, evaluation, reporting, and mitigation of negative impacts on underserved and overburdened communities before polluters are permitted to operate;

3. Prevent continued environmental racism and injustice in Maryland;

4. Foster measurable communication between the Maryland Department of the Environment, environmental permit applicants, and underserved and overburdened communities.

5. Allow Marylanders to receive regular notifications regarding environmental permits that may have a negative impact on their health and well-being;

6. Deter state decisions near overburdened and underserved communities, such as:

   • Approving new construction of harmful facilities or infrastructure;

   • Approving permits that allow for increases in greenhouse gas emissions;

   • Approving a new highway or highway expansion; and

   • Approving a project or development that won’t benefit Maryland workers.
     

Take Action:

• Visit mdelect.net and enter your address to look up your state representatives and their contact information.
• Use this Phone Script to call your legislators! You’d be amazed by how important your voice is to your local legislator.
• Email your legislators, using the phone script above for some talking points. Phone calling is more impactful though.
  
  

Summary: 

No state law requires agencies to meaningfully consider climate impacts, environmental justice issues, health impacts, and labor implications resulting from their actions. This lack of consideration has led to poorer outcomes for many overburdened and underserved communities. 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 Environmental Permits and State Agency Action builds on this requirement to grant MDE authority to take action based on this information. 

Maryland Legislative Debrief

Click here to register! On Friday, April 19th at 3 PM, Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake, along with our ally Interfaith Power & Light (DC.MD.NoVA), will wrap up the 2024 legislative session with a special virtual program to reflect on the progress made during this 2024 session and discuss next steps for our advocacy efforts.

Want to do more?

Join our Advocacy Volunteers in making a real difference for our shared home.

*Our Advocacy Volunteers receive Action Alerts every two weeks throughout the spring Legislative Session, featuring MD priority legislation updates, coordinated calls to action, and notices of national or other local policy activism.  Please complete your address information so that we can share those policies and efforts most relevant to your geographic location.