Maryland
Maryland is expected to be a leader in climate action, after passing the Climate Solutions Now Act, one of the most ambitious climate laws in the country, in 2022.
Legislative Profile
Governor: Wes Moore (D)
House: Democratic majority
Senate: Democratic majority
U.S. Climate Alliance Member
Key Resources
Maryland State Energy Profile — U.S. EIA
Maryland Climate Change Portal – Maryland Department of the Environment
Emissions Reduction Targets
By 2031:
60%
By 2045:
Net-zero
Target relative to 2006 levels
2019 GHG Emissions By Sector (%)
- Commercial
- Electric
- Residential
- Industrial
- Transportation
- Agriculture
Source: EPA State Inventory Tool (SIT)
Use the + icons in each policy area below to explore climate policy that has been passed at the state level, with links to relevant legislation and trackers. Policies in gray have not yet been passed in this state.
Climate Governance & Equity
Climate Governance
Greenhouse Gas Targets
Emissions Reduction Target
60% by 2031 | Net-zero by 2045 Relative to 2006 levels
Mandate Source
Mandatory – Climate Solutions Now Act of 2022 (SB 528) (2022)
Climate Action Plan
Climate Bureaucracy
Interagency Commissions/Task Forces
Non-Governmental Advisory Bodies
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory
Green Bank
Maryland Clean Energy Center, which will administer the Climate Catalytic Capital Fund
Establishing Legislation
HB 1337 (2008)
Climate Catalytic Capital Fund: SB 528 (2022)
Lead by Example
ACEEE Score – 1 out of 1 point**
Public Fleet ZEV Requirements
SB 528 (2022) – By 2031: 100% of the state’s passenger vehicle fleet are ZEVs | By 2036: 100% of the state’s light-duty vehicle fleet are ZEVs
Equity
Environmental Justice Community Designation
Mandate Source
SB 528 – Climate Solutions Now Act of 2022 (2022)
Definition
“Overburdened communities” are census tracts where three of more environmental health indicators are above the 75th percentile, including pollution exposure, proximity to environmental hazards, and health outcomes.
“Underserved communities” are census tracts where at least 25% of residents are low-income, 50% are nonwhite, or at least 15% of residents have limited English proficiency
Include race? Yes | Include income? Yes | Include pollution burden? No
State EJ Mapping Tools
EJ Community Benefit Requirement
EJ Bureaucracy
EJ Advisory Bodies
Commission on Environmental Justice and Sustainable Communities
EJ Government Staff
SB 528 (2022) – Requires the Maryland Department of Environment to provide staff for the Commission on Environmental Justice and Sustainable Communities
**The ACEEE Energy Efficiency Scorecard analyzes the policies and programs states adopt to save energy in public sector buildings and transportation fleets. States can earn up to 1 point.
Adaptation & Resilience
Electricity
Renewables and Energy Storage
Greenhouse Gas Targets
Renewable Portfolio Standard
Distributed Generation/Solar Carve-out
SPOT Components – 4 out of 5*
Net Metering
SPOT Components – 9 out of 11*
Energy Storage Standard
SPOT Components – 3 out of 5*
Shared Renewables
SPOT Components – 5 out of 6*
Grid and Utility Reform
Clean Energy Plan
Grid Modernization Plan
The GridWise Alliance’s Grid Modernization Index (GMI) evaluates and ranks the status of grid modernization efforts across all 50 states and D.C.
50-state Ranking – 3rd
Interconnection Standards
SPOT Components – 4 out of 6*
Utility Green Power Option
SPOT Components – 1 out of 6*
New Utility Business Model Proceeding
SPOT Components – 2 out of 5*
Carbon Pollution Pricing
*The State Policy Opportunity Tracker (SPOT) breaks clean energy policies down into “components”, which are binary questions to evaluate policy quality. Higher quality policies have more of their SPOT components fulfilled.
Buildings & Efficiency
Building Energy Codes
Residential Codes
SPOT Components – 6 out of 6*
Statewide code – 2018 IECC
Commercial Codes
SPOT Components – 5 out of 6*
Statewide code – 2018 IECC
Stretch or Reach Codes
*The State Policy Opportunity Tracker (SPOT) breaks clean energy policies down into “components”, which are binary questions to evaluate policy quality. Higher quality policies have more of their SPOT components fulfilled.
Efficiency Programs and Incentives
Weatherization Programs
SPOT Components – 3 out of 4*
Energy Auditing Programs
Retrocommissioning Programs
Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE)
SPOT Components – 6 out of 10*
Energy Savings Performance Contracting
SPOT Components – 5 out of 5*
Standards and Market Mechanisms
Energy Efficiency Resource Standard
SPOT Components – 4 out of 5*
Building Performance Standard (BPS)
SB 528 (2022) – Requires the Maryland Department of Environment to develop a BPS for existing, large buildings to reduce direct emissions from buildings by 20% by 2030, and net-zero emissions by 2040
Appliance Performance Standard (APS)
HB 772 (2022) – Appliance standards for 13 common household and commercial appliances
Carbon Pollution Pricing
Buildings Data Disclosure
Transportation
Vehicle Standards and Incentives
Low-Emission Vehicle (LEV) Standards
Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandates
EV Targets and Sales Requirements
Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicle (MHDVs) Sales Standards
Electric Vehicle Incentives
SPOT Components – 2 out of 5*
Charging Infrastructure Incentives
SPOT Components – 3 out of 5*
Carbon Pollution Pricing
Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS)
*The State Policy Opportunity Tracker (SPOT) breaks clean energy policies down into “components”, which are binary questions to evaluate policy quality. Higher quality policies have more of their SPOT components fulfilled.
State Planning and Investment
Greenhouse Gas Targets
Emissions Reduction Target
On-road emissions: 40% by 2030 Relative to 2006 levels
Mandate Source
Voluntary – 2020 Annual Attainment Report on Transportation System Performance (2020)
Decarbonization Plan
MDOT GRRA Plan (2020)
EV and EV Charging Infrastructure Plans
Multi-State ZEV Action Plan (2018)
EV Transit Bus Deployment
The ACEEE Transportation Electrification Scorecard analyzes the level of investment and policies states adopt to procure electric transit buses. States can earn up to 6 points.
ACEEE Score – 2 out of 6 points
Bicycle Friendly State
The League of American Bicyclists’ State Report Cards evaluate and rank the safety and efficiency of active transportation systems across all 50 states.
50-state Ranking – 14th
Agriculture
Soil Health and Regenerative Agriculture Governance
Financial Incentives
Technical Assistance & Education Programs
HB 1063 (2017) – Maryland Healthy Soils Program
Food Waste Bans and Targets
Food Waste Ban – Required for businesses and institutions that generate at least 2 tons of food waste per week
Mandate Source
Article II, Section 17(c) of the Maryland Constitution – Chapter 439 (2021)