Maryland
60%
Net-zero
Governor
Wes Moore (Democrat)
House Party
Democratic Majority
Senate Party
Democratic Majority
Key Offices & Links
41
21
Southeast
Progress by Policy Area
- Enacted
- In-progress
- Partially Enacted
- Not Enacted
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Projections in Maryland
Status | Policy | Policy Area | Policy Category | YR Enacted | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Enacted |
Empty column
60% by 2031 | Net-zero by 2045 Relative to 2006 levels Establishing Policies
|
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Climate Governance | 2022 | |
Enacted |
Empty column
Maryland’s Climate Pollution Reduction Plan Establishing Policies
|
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Climate Governance | 2023 | |
Enacted |
Empty column
The 2006-2020 Greenhouse Gas Inventory was published in September 2022. Establishing Policies
|
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Climate Governance | 2022 | |
Enacted |
Empty column
Climate Change Subcabinet Chief Sustainability Officer Establishing Policies
|
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Climate Governance | 2024 | |
Enacted |
Empty column
Maryland Commission on Climate Change Establishing Policies
|
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Climate Governance | 2015 | |
Enacted |
Empty column
"Overburdened communities" are the 25% highest scoring census tracts in 3 or more of 21 environmental health indicators, related to 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 15% have limited English proficiency Establishing Policies
|
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Environmental Justice and Equity | 2022 | |
Enacted |
Empty column
MD EJSCREEN MD Climate and Health Equity Mapper Establishing Policies
|
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Environmental Justice and Equity | 2021 | |
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Environmental justice (EJ) community investment requirements help ensure communities most impacted by environmental burdens are benefitting equitably from public programs by requiring a certain percentage of funds and/or benefits from other policies are allocated to EJ communities. |
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Environmental Justice and Equity | ||
Enacted |
Empty column
MDE – EJ Coordinator The Climate Solutions Now Act of 2022 also requires the Maryland Department of Environment to provide staff for the Commission on Environmental Justice and Sustainable Communities Establishing Policies
|
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Environmental Justice and Equity | 2022 | |
Enacted |
Empty column
Commission on Environmental Justice and Sustainable Communities Establishing Policies
|
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Environmental Justice and Equity | ||
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Cumulative impact assessments determine the health and environmental impacts of renewing or granting a permit for certain pollution-generating facilities in environmental justice communities. Increased pollution burdens in communities may result in the permit application being denied. |
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Environmental Justice and Equity | ||
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Just transition plans are documents that outline policies and recommendations aimed at supporting communities, workers, and industries affected by the transition away from fossil fuels. The plans often focus on workforce development and retraining, job creation, and economic diversification. |
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Just Transition | ||
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Just transition offices and staff assist workers and communities transitioning away from fossil fuel extraction and use, typically through retraining programs and support with relocation and economic diversification. Offices and staff also coordinate with other state agencies to effectively design policy to achieve a just transition. |
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Just Transition | ||
Enacted |
Empty column
Just Transition Employment and Retraining Working Group Establishing Policies
|
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Just Transition | 2022 | |
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Just transition funds support initiatives and investments aimed at facilitating the equitable transition of workers and communities affected by shifts in industries or policies that transition from fossil fuels. |
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Just Transition | ||
Enacted |
Empty column
Maryland Clean Energy Center, which administers the Climate Catalytic Capital Fund Establishing Policies
|
Cross-Sector
|
Climate Finance | 2008 | |
Enacted |
Empty column
The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) covers the electricity sector. Establishing Policies
|
Cross-Sector
|
Carbon Valuation | 2007 | |
Not Enacted |
Empty column
The social cost of carbon is a monetary estimate of the damage of each ton of greenhouse gases emitted. The social cost of carbon is used to quantify and monetize climate damages, representing the net economic cost of climate pollution to society. |
Cross-Sector
|
Carbon Valuation | ||
Enacted |
Electricity
|
Energy Plans and Targets | 2019 | ||
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Electricity greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets are set by a state to limit GHG emissions in the electricity sector. These targets aim to reduce emissions by different amounts over time, often expressed as percentage relative to a baseline year. |
Electricity
|
Energy Plans and Targets | ||
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Clean energy plans are documents that outline the policies and strategies states can implement to meet clean energy targets. Draft plans are often published first, and after a period of public comments and revisions, a final plan is released. |
Electricity
|
Energy Plans and Targets | ||
Enacted |
Empty column
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. Establishing Policies
Policy Components
5/5
|
Electricity
|
Clean Energy Generation | ||
Partially Enacted |
Empty column
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. Establishing Policies
Policy Components
9/11
|
Electricity
|
Clean Energy Generation | ||
Partially Enacted |
Empty column
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. Establishing Policies
Policy Components
5/6
|
Electricity
|
Clean Energy Generation | ||
Enacted |
Empty column
Maryland has an active community choice aggregation program. Establishing Policies
|
Electricity
|
Clean Energy Generation | 2021 | |
Enacted |
Empty column
750 megawatts (MW) of storage capacity by 2027, 1,500 MW by 2030, and 3,000 MW by 2033 Establishing Policies
|
Electricity
|
Transmission, Distribution, and Energy Storage | 2023 | |
Enacted |
Empty column
Maryland received a C grade from Freeing the Grid. Establishing Policies
|
Electricity
|
Transmission, Distribution, and Energy Storage | 2023 | |
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Coal phaseouts establish a target year by which states must end coal-fired power generation. |
Electricity
|
Coal Retirement | ||
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Coal securitization is a financing tool that allows utility companies to refinance debt they issued to build coal plants and close the facilities early without taking a financial hit or passing costs on to ratepayers. |
Electricity
|
Coal Retirement | ||
Enacted |
Empty column
The statewide energy code for residential construction is 2021 IECC with amendments. Establishing Policies
|
Buildings and Efficiency
|
Building Codes | 2023 | |
Enacted |
Empty column
The statewide energy code for commercial building construction is 2021 IECC with amendments and ASHRAE 90.1-2019. Establishing Policies
|
Buildings and Efficiency
|
Building Codes | 2023 | |
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Stretch building energy codes are an optional, more stringent building code established by the state that local jurisdictions can adopt to require that newly constructed buildings are more efficient than the baseline state codes. |
Buildings and Efficiency
|
Building Codes | ||
Enacted |
Empty column
The Energy and Water Efficiency Standards apply to 11 products. Establishing Policies
|
Buildings and Efficiency
|
Building Standards | 2022 | |
In-Progress |
Empty column
The Building Energy Performance Standard requires buildings larger than 35,000 square feet to reduce direct emissions from buildings by 20% by 2030, and to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040. Establishing Policies
|
Buildings and Efficiency
|
Building Standards | 2022 | |
In-Progress |
Empty column
The Maryland Department of the Environment is required to propose a clean heat standard regulation. Establishing Policies
|
Buildings and Efficiency
|
Building Standards | 2024 | |
Enacted |
Empty column
Electric utilities are required to achieve a greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction equivalent of annual electricity savings of 2% in 2024, 2.24% in 2025 and 2026, and 2.5% for each year after that. Utilities must achieve annual energy savings for low-income residential units for the 2024-2026 EmPOWER cycle, starting at 0.53% in 2024 and increasing to 1.0% in 2026. Gas utilities are not subject to an EERS. Establishing Policies
|
Buildings and Efficiency
|
Building Efficiency | 2024 | |
Enacted |
Empty column
Maryland has enacted commercial PACE-enabling legislation and has active programs. Establishing Policies
|
Buildings and Efficiency
|
Building Efficiency | 2014 | |
Partially Enacted |
Empty column
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. Establishing Policies
Policy Components
3/4
|
Buildings and Efficiency
|
Building Efficiency | ||
In-Progress |
Empty column
The Maryland Department of the Environment is required to propose a zero-emission heating equipment standard that will phase-in zero-emissions standards for heating equipment. Establishing Policies
|
Buildings and Efficiency
|
Building Electrification | 2024 | |
Enacted |
Empty column
Maryland Clean Cars Program Establishing Policies
|
Transportation
|
Light-Duty Vehicles | 2023 | |
Enacted |
Empty column
Model Year (MY) 2027: 43% of new passenger vehicle sales are ZEVs | MY 2030: 68% of new sales are ZEVs | MY 2035: 100% of new sales are ZEVs, with up to 20% being hybrid or hydrogen-powered vehicles. Establishing Policies
|
Transportation
|
Light-Duty Vehicles | 2023 | |
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Electric vehicle rebates offer rebates to make light-duty electric vehicles more affordable to increase their adoption in a state. |
Transportation
|
Light-Duty Vehicles | ||
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Low NOx Omnibus Rules establish stringent tailpipe emission standards for heavy duty vehicles, updated testing procedures, and technology-neutral compliance mechanisms to reduce nitrous oxide (NOx) pollution. The regulation must be adopted first by California, and other states may adopt the regulation under the federal Clean Air Act. |
Transportation
|
Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles | ||
Enacted |
Empty column
By 2035: 55% of Class 2b-3 truck sales are zero-emissions | 75% of Class 4-8 straight truck sales are zero-emissions | 40% of Class 7-8 tractor sales are zero-emissions. Establishing Policies
|
Transportation
|
Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles | 2023 | |
Enacted |
Empty column
The Medium-Duty and Heavy-Duty Zero-Emission Vehicle Grant Program provides grants to cover up to 75% of the incremental cost of new medium- and heavy-duty battery and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. Establishing Policies
|
Transportation
|
Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles | 2022 | |
Enacted |
Empty column
100% of the state's passenger vehicle fleet are ZEVs by 2031, and 100% of the state's light-duty vehicle fleet are ZEVs by 2036 Establishing Policies
|
Transportation
|
Lead by Example | 2022 | |
Enacted |
Empty column
25% of annual bus procurements by the Maryland Transit Administration are zero-emission by FY25 Establishing Policies
|
Transportation
|
Lead by Example | 2024 | |
Enacted |
Empty column
Requires that new construction of detached single-family homes, duplexes, and townhouses with a separate garage or driveway have one parking space that is EV-ready or has EV supply equipment (EVSE) installed. Establishing Policies
|
Transportation
|
EV Charging Infrastructure | 2023 | |
Enacted |
Empty column
The Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) Rebate Program offers rebates for the purchase and installation of Level 2 and direct current (DC) fast chargers, up to $700 for residential chargers and up to $5,000 for commercial chargers. Establishing Policies
|
Transportation
|
EV Charging Infrastructure | ||
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Electric vehicle (EV) and EV charging infrastructure plans are documents that provide a framework to guide the development, coordination, and adoption of EVs and EV charging infrastructure. |
Transportation
|
Transportation Plans and Targets | ||
In-Progress |
Empty column
The Maryland Department of Transportation is required to establish specific annual greenhouse gas and vehicle miles traveled reduction targets for the transportation sector. Establishing Policies
|
Transportation
|
Transportation Plans and Targets | 2024 | |
Not Enacted |
Empty column
A low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) is a market-based mechanism to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels and account for the fuel's life cycle greenhouse gas emissions. |
Transportation
|
Transportation Plans and Targets | ||
Enacted |
Empty column
Maryland is ranked 14th out of 50 in the 2022 Bicycle Friendly State rankings by the League of American Bicyclists. Establishing Policies
Policy Components
5/5
|
Transportation
|
Public and Active Transportation | ||
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Buy clean requirements mandate or incentivize the use of low-carbon construction materials, such as concrete and steel, in public projects to address embodied carbon. |
Industry, Materials, and Waste Management
|
Industrial Decarbonization | ||
Enacted |
Empty column
The state prohibits certain HFCs in specific stationary refrigeration and air-conditioning end-uses. Establishing Policies
|
Industry, Materials, and Waste Management
|
F-gas Regulations | 2020 | |
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) regulations include phasedown commitments, reporting requirements, bans, or other measures that reduce SF6 usage and emissions. |
Industry, Materials, and Waste Management
|
F-gas Regulations | ||
Enacted |
Empty column
Operators must reduce vented and fugitive emissions of methane from both new and existing natural gas transmission and storage facilities. Establishing Policies
|
Industry, Materials, and Waste Management
|
Oil and Gas Regulations | 2020 | |
Enacted |
Empty column
Hydraulic fracking for the exploration and production of natural gas is banned. Establishing Policies
|
Industry, Materials, and Waste Management
|
Oil and Gas Regulations | 2017 | |
Enacted |
Empty column
Reporting and control of methane emissions from municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills are required. Establishing Policies
|
Industry, Materials, and Waste Management
|
Waste Management | 2023 | |
Enacted |
Empty column
Food waste ban – The state requires businesses and institutions that generate at least 2 tons of food waste per week to dispose of food residuals via composting or anaerobic digestion. Establishing Policies
|
Industry, Materials, and Waste Management
|
Waste Management | 2021 | |
Enacted |
Empty column
The Maryland Healthy Soils Program provides financial assistance to manage conservation practices in new and innovative ways that improve soil health, yield, and profitability and capture carbon. Maryland's Cover Crop Program offers grants to help pay for seed, labor, and equipment costs to plant cover crops. Establishing Policies
|
Natural and Working Lands
|
Agriculture | 2017 | |
Not Enacted |
Empty column
Agriculture technical assistance programs provide state-driven technical assistance, apprenticeship and mentorship programs, and support securing additional funding for farmers to increase uptake of soil health practices. |
Natural and Working Lands
|
Agriculture |