EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*hb0708*
HOUSE BILL 708
M5, M3 2lr1976
By: Delegates Barve and Stein
Introduced and read first time: January 31, 2022
Assigned to: Economic Matters
A BILL ENTITLED
AN ACT concerning 1
Comprehensive Climate Solutions 2
FOR the purpose of requiring the State to reduce statewide greenhouse gas emissions 3
through the use of various measures, including the alteration of statewide 4
greenhouse gas emissions goals, the establishment of a net–zero statewide 5
greenhouse gas emissions goal, requiring gas companies and electric companies to 6
provide certain programs and services, and requiring electric companies to increase 7
their annual incremental gross energy savings through certain programs and 8
services; requiring landfill operators and the Department of the Environment to take 9
certain actions regarding methane emissions; requiring the Department of the 10
Environment to regulate methane emissions from landfills; requiring t he 11
Commission on Climate Change to establish the Just Transition Employment and 12
Retraining Working Group to advise the Commission on Climate Change on certain 13
matters and conduct a certain study; establishing the Maryland Climate Justice 14
Corps Program; establishing the Climate Transition and Clean Energy Hub in the 15
Maryland Energy Administration; requiring the Public Service Commission to 16
establish a certain process for gas companies and electric companies to develop 17
certain utility transition plans; specifying that certain funding provided under the 18
Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund may be used for a project that uses 19
fossil fuel only under certain circumstances; and generally relating to climate change 20
and measures to combat climate change. 21
BY renumbering 22
Article – Environment 23
Section 2–1204.2 24
to be Section 2–1204.3 25
Annotated Code of Maryland 26
(2013 Replacement Volume and 2021 Supplement) 27
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 28
Article – Environment 29 2 HOUSE BILL 708
Section 1–701(a) and (f) 1
Annotated Code of Maryland 2
(2013 Replacement Volume and 2021 Supplement) 3
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 4
Article – Environment 5
Section 1–701(h), 2–1201(4), 2–1204.1, 2–1205, 2–1206, 2–1210, 2–1303(a), and 6
2–1304 7
Annotated Code of Maryland 8
(2013 Replacement Volume and 2021 Supplement) 9
BY adding to 10
Article – Environment 11
Section 1–702, 2–407, 2–408, 2–1204.2, and 2–1303.1 12
Annotated Code of Maryland 13
(2013 Replacement Volume and 2021 Supplement) 14
BY adding to 15
Article – Natural Resources 16
Section 8–1927 through 8–1938 to be under the new part “Part III. Maryland Climate 17
Justice Corps” 18
Annotated Code of Maryland 19
(2012 Replacement Volume and 2021 Supplement) 20
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 21
Article – Public Utilities 22
Section 7–211(d), (f), (g), and (k) 23
Annotated Code of Maryland 24
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2021 Supplement) 25
BY adding to 26
Article – State Government 27
Section 9–2010 and 9–20B–05(f–5) 28
Annotated Code of Maryland 29
(2021 Replacement Volume) 30
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 31
Article – State Government 32
Section 9–20B–05(a), (b), and (c) 33
Annotated Code of Maryland 34
(2021 Replacement Volume) 35
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 36
Article – State Government 37
Section 9–20B–05(f) 38
Annotated Code of Maryland 39
(2021 Replacement Volume) 40 HOUSE BILL 708 3
(As enacted by Chapter 13 of the Acts of the General Assembly of the 2021 Special 1
Session) 2
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 3
That Section(s) 2–1204.2 of Article – Environment of the Annotated Code of Maryland be 4
renumbered to be Section(s) 2–1204.3. 5
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Laws of Maryland read 6
as follows: 7
Article – Environment 8
2–1204.2. 9
THE STATE SHALL ACHIEVE N ET–ZERO STATEWIDE GREEN HOUSE GAS 10
EMISSIONS BY 2045. 11
SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Laws of Maryland read 12
as follows: 13
Article – Environment 14
1–701. 15
(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. 16
(2) “Business organization” means a corporation, business trust, 17
partnership, or any other for–profit entity. 18
(3) “Commission” means the Commission on Environmental Justice and 19
Sustainable Communities. 20
(4) “Community listening session” means a public convening to gather 21
information and input from community members. 22
(5) “Environmental justice” means equal protection from environmental 23
and public health hazards for all people regardless of race, income, culture, and social 24
status. 25
(6) “Environmental organization” means a nonprofit entity engaged in 26
advocacy or action related to conservation, stewardship of natural resources, or pollution 27
reduction. 28
(f) The Department shall provide staff for the Commission. 29
(h) The Commission shall: 30
4 HOUSE BILL 708
(1) Advise State government agencies on environmental justice and related 1
community issues; 2
(2) Use data sets and mapping tools to review and analyze the impact of 3
current State and local laws, permits, actions, and policies on the issue of environmental 4
justice and sustainable communities, including cumulative impacts, effects, and exposure; 5
(3) Assess the adequacy of State and local government laws to address the 6
issue of environmental justice and sustainable communities, including assessing 7
compliance with Title VI of the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964; 8
(4) Coordinate with the Children’s Environmental Health and Protection 9
Advisory Council, the Maryland Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities, and the 10
Commission on Climate Change on recommendations related to environmental justice and 11
sustainable communities; [and] 12
(5) IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 1–702 OF THIS SUBTITLE , COORDINATE 13
WITH THE DEPARTMENT ON : 14
(I) THE RECOMMENDATION OF A METHODOLOGY FOR 15
IDENTIFYING COMMUNIT IES DISPROPORTIONATE LY AFFECTED BY CLIMA TE 16
CHANGE; 17
(II) THE DEVELOPMENT OF SP ECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS TO 18
ADDRESS ENVIRONMENTA L JUSTICE CONCERNS , REDUCE EMISSIONS OF 19
GREENHOUSE GASES AND CO–POLLUTANTS , AND BUILD CLIMATE EQ UITY AND 20
RESILIENCE WITHIN DI SPROPORTIONATELY AFF ECTED COMMUNITIES ; AND 21
(III) THE ESTABLISHMENT OF GOALS FOR THE PERCENTAGE OF 22
STATE FUNDING FOR GRE ENHOUSE GAS EMISSION S REDUCTION MEASURES T HAT 23
SHOULD BE USED FOR T HE BENEFIT OF DISPRO PORTIONATELY AFFECTE D 24
COMMUNITIES ; AND 25
(6) Recommend options to the Governor and the General Assembly for 26
addressing issues, concerns, or problems related to environmental justice that surface after 27
reviewing State laws and policies, including prioritizing areas of the State that need 28
immediate attention. 29
1–702. 30
(A) ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 2023, THE DEPARTMENT, IN 31
CONSULTATION WITH TH E COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND 32
SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES , THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, THE 33
MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, AND THE DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING, 34
SHALL: 35 HOUSE BILL 708 5
(1) RECOMMEND A METHODOLOGY , BASED ON VARIOUS ECO NOMIC, 1
SOCIAL, AND HEALTH CONSIDERA TIONS, FOR IDENTIFYING COMM UNITIES 2
DISPROPORTIONATELY A FFECTED BY CLIMATE C HANGE; 3
(2) DEVELOP SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS TO ADDRESS 4
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTIC E CONCERNS, REDUCE EMISSIONS OF GREENHOUSE GASES 5
AND CO–POLLUTANTS , AND BUILD CLIMATE EQ UITY AND RESILIENCE WITHIN 6
COMMUNITIES DISPROPO RTIONATELY AFFECTED BY CLIMATE CHANGE ; 7
(3) SET APPROPRIATE GOALS FOR THE PERCENTAGE O F STATE 8
FUNDING FOR GREENHOU SE GAS EMISSION S REDUCTION MEASURES T HAT SHOULD 9
BE USED FOR THE BENE FIT OF DISPROPORTION ATELY AFFECTED COMMU NITIES; 10
AND 11
(4) REPORT TO THE MARYLAND COMMISSION ON CLIMATE CHANGE 12
AND, IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–1257 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE, THE 13
GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON THE CRITERIA AND RECOMME NDATIONS DEVELOPED 14
UNDER THIS SUBSECTIO N. 15
(B) IN EVALUATING METHODO LOGIES UNDER SUBSECT ION (A)(1) OF THIS 16
SECTION, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL CONS IDER GEOGRAPHIC , PUBLIC HEALTH , 17
ENVIRONMENTAL HAZA RD, AND SOCIOECONOMIC CR ITERIA, INCLUDING: 18
(1) AREAS BURDENED BY CUM ULATIVE ENVIRONMENTA L POLLUTION 19
AND OTHER HAZARDS TH AT CAN LEAD TO NEGAT IVE PUBLIC HEALTH EF FECTS; 20
(2) AREAS WITH HIGH CONCE NTRATIONS OF: 21
(I) PEOPLE EXPERIENCING P OVERTY, HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT 22
RATES, HIGH RENT BURDENS , LOW LEVELS OF HOME O WNERSHIP, OR LOW LEVELS 23
OF EDUCATIONAL ATTAI NMENT; OR 24
(II) POPULATIONS THAT HAVE HISTORICALLY EXPERIE NCED 25
DISCRIMINATION ON TH E BASIS OF RACE OR E THNICITY; AND 26
(3) AREAS THAT ARE VULNER ABLE TO THE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE 27
CHANGE, SUCH AS FLOODING , STORM SURGES , AND URBAN HEAT ISLAN D EFFECTS, 28
DUE TO LOW LEVELS OF TREE COVERAGE , HIGH LEVELS OF IMPER VIOUS SURFACES , 29
OR OTHER FACTORS . 30
(C) IN CARRYING OUT ITS R ESPONSIBILITIES UNDE R THIS SECTION , THE 31
DEPARTMENT SHALL SOLI CIT INPUT FROM ALL S EGMENTS OF THE POPUL ATION 32
THAT WILL BE IMPACTE D BY THE POLICIES DE VELOPED UNDER SUBSEC TION (A) OF 33 6 HOUSE BILL 708
THIS SECTION, INCLUDING INDIVIDUAL S LIVING IN AREAS TH AT MAY BE IDENTIFIED 1
AS DISPROPORTIONATEL Y AFFECTED COMMUNITI ES UNDER THE PROPOSE D 2
CRITERIA. 3
2–407. 4
(A) THIS SECTION APPLIES ONLY TO A MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE LANDFILL 5
THAT IS REQUIRED TO MONITOR AND REPORT M ETHANE EMISSIONS TO THE 6
DEPARTMENT . 7
(B) IF MET HANE EMISSIONS DATA ACQUIRED FROM AIRCRA FT 8
OBSERVATIONS , WHERE AVAILABLE , EXCEEDS THE GROUND –LEVEL EMISSIONS 9
DATA REPORTED BY A M UNICIPAL SOLID WASTE LANDFILL BY MORE THA N 25%, THE 10
DEPARTMENT SHALL REQU IRE THE LANDFILL OPE RATOR TO: 11
(1) INVESTIGATE THE D IFFERENCE BETWEEN TH E DATA; AND 12
(2) REASSESS THE METHODOL OGY AND EQUIPMENT US ED TO OBTAIN 13
THE GROUND –LEVEL DATA. 14
(C) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL PUBL ICLY DISCLOSE ON THE DEPARTMENT ’S 15
WEBSITE: 16
(1) ALL METHANE EMISSIONS DATA OBTAINED THROUG H AIRCRAFT 17
OBSERVATIONS; AND 18
(2) ANY DISCREPANCIES BET WEEN METHANE EMISSIO NS DATA 19
OBTAINED THROUGH AIR CRAFT OBSERVATIONS A ND GROUND –LEVEL METHANE 20
EMISSIONS DATA REPOR TED BY MUNICIPAL SOL ID WASTE LANDFILLS . 21
2–408. 22
ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 1, 2023, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL A DOPT 23
REGULATIONS ESTABLIS HING SURFACE METHANE EMISSIONS STANDARDS FOR 24
MUNICIPAL SOLID WAST E LANDFILLS. 25
2–1201. 26
The General Assembly finds that: 27
(4) The State has the ingenuity to reduce the threat of global warming and 28
make greenhouse gas reductions a part of the State’s future by achieving a 25% reduction 29
in greenhouse gas emissions from 2006 levels by 2020 and by preparing a plan to meet a 30
longer–term goal of [reducing greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90% from 2006 levels by 31 HOUSE BILL 708 7
2050] ACHIEVING NET –ZERO STATEWIDE GREEN HOUSE GAS EMISSIONS BY 2045 in a 1
manner that promotes new “green” jobs, and protects existing jobs and the State’s economic 2
well–being; 3
2–1204.1. 4
The State shall reduce statewide greenhouse gas emissions by [40%] 60% from 2006 5
levels by [2030] 2032. 6
2–1205. 7
(a) The State shall develop plans, adopt regulations, and implement programs 8
that reduce statewide greenhouse gas emissions in accordance with this subtitle. 9
(b) On or before [December 31, 2018] JUNE 30, 2023, the Department shall: 10
(1) Submit a proposed plan that reduces statewide greenhouse gas 11
emissions by [40%] 60% from 2006 levels by [2030] 2032 to the Governor and General 12
Assembly; 13
(2) Make the proposed plan available to the public; and 14
(3) Convene a series of public workshops to provide interested parties with 15
an opportunity to comment on the proposed plan. 16
(c) (1) The Department shall, on or before December 31, 2012, adopt a final 17
plan that reduces statewide greenhouse gas emissions by 25% from 2006 levels by 2020. 18
(2) The Department shall, on or before December 31, [2019] 2023, adopt a 19
final plan that [reduces]: 20
(I) REDUCES statewide greenhouse gas emissions by [40%] 60% 21
from 2006 levels by [2030] 2032; AND 22
(II) SETS THE STATE ON A PATH TOWAR D ACHIEVING NET –ZERO 23
STATEWIDE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS BY 2045. 24
(3) [The plans shall be developed in recognition of the finding by the 25
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change that developed countries will need to reduce 26
greenhouse gas emissions by between 80% and 95% from 1990 levels by 2050 ] THE 27
DEPARTMENT SHALL : 28
(I) ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 2030, ADOPT A FINAL PLAN 29
THAT ACHIEVES NET–ZERO STATEWIDE GREEN HOUSE GAS EMISSIONS BY 2045; AND 30
8 HOUSE BILL 708
(II) ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 2035, REVIEW AND , AS 1
NECESSARY, REVISE THE FINAL PLA N TO ACHIEVE NET –ZERO STATEWIDE 2
GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS BY 2045. 3
(d) The final plans required under subsection (c) of this section shall include: 4
(1) Adopted regulations that implement all plan measures for which State 5
agencies have existing statutory authority; and 6
(2) A summary of any new legislative authority needed to fully implement 7
the plans and a timeline for seeking legislative authority. 8
(E) A FINAL PLAN DEVELOPED UNDER THIS SECTION : 9
(1) MAY NOT INCLUDE HIGHW AY WIDENING OR ADDIT IONAL ROAD 10
CONSTRUCTION AS A GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS REDUCTION MEASURE ; 11
(2) MAY INCLUDE THE USE O F CARBON CAPTURE AND STORAGE 12
TECHNOLOGY AS A GREE NHOUSE GAS EMISSION S REDUCTION MEASURE ON LY IF 13
THE TECHNOLOGY HAS B EEN SCIENTIFICALLY P ROVEN TO ACHIEVE VER IFIABLE 14
CARBON REDUCTIONS ; 15
(3) SHALL USE THE GLOBAL WARMING POTENTIAL FO R METHANE 16
OVER A 20–YEAR TIME HO RIZON, AS ACCEPTED IN THE M OST RECENT ASSESSMEN T 17
OF THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL PANEL ON CLIMATE CHANGE, IN ESTIMATING THE 18
STATE’S GREENHOUSE GAS EMI SSIONS REDUCTIONS ; 19
(4) SHALL INCLUDE SPECIFI C ESTIMATES OF THE G REENHOUSE GAS 20
EMISSIONS REDUCTIONS THAT COULD BE ACHIEVED THROUGH THE EXPANSION OF 21
MASS TRANSIT OPTIONS ; AND 22
(5) SHALL INCLUDE SPECIFI C ESTIMATES OF THE R EDUCTIONS 23
EXPECTED FROM EACH G REENHOUSE GAS EMISSI ONS REDUCTION MEASUR E 24
INCLUDED IN THE PLAN . 25
[(e)] (F) In developing and adopting a final plan to reduce statewide greenhouse 26
gas emissions, the Department shall consult with State and local agencies as appropriate. 27
[(f)] (G) (1) Unless required by federal law or regulations or existing State 28
law, regulations adopted by State agencies to implement a final plan may not: 29
(i) Require greenhouse gas emissions reductions from the State’s 30
manufacturing sector; or 31
HOUSE BILL 708 9
(ii) Cause a significant increase in costs to the State’s manufacturing 1
sector. 2
(2) Paragraph (1) of this subsection may not be construed to exempt 3
greenhouse gas emissions sources in the State’s manufacturing sector from the obligation 4
to comply with: 5
(i) Greenhouse gas emissions monitoring, recordkeeping, and 6
reporting requirements for which the Department had existing authority under § 2–301(a) 7
of this title on or before October 1, 2009; or 8
(ii) Greenhouse gas emissions reductions required of the 9
manufacturing sector as a result of the State’s implementation of the Regional Greenhouse 10
Gas Initiative. 11
[(g)] (H) A regulation adopted by a State agency for the purpose of reducing 12
greenhouse gas emissions in accordance with this section may not be construed to result in 13
a significant increase in costs to the State’s manufacturing sector unless the source would 14
not incur the cost increase but for the new regulation. 15
2–1206. 16
(A) In developing and implementing the plans required by § 2–1205 of this 17
subtitle, the Department shall: 18
(1) Analyze the feasibility of measures to comply with the greenhouse gas 19
emissions reductions required by this subtitle; 20
(2) Consider the impact on rural communities of any transportation related 21
measures proposed in the plans; 22
(3) Provide that a greenhouse gas emissions source that voluntarily 23
reduces its greenhouse gas emissions before the implementation of this subtitle shall 24
receive appropriate credit for its early voluntary actions; 25
(4) Provide for the use of offset credits generated by alternative compliance 26
mechanisms executed within the State, including carbon sequestration projects, to achieve 27
compliance with greenhouse gas emissions reductions required by this subtitle; 28
(5) Ensure that the plans do not decrease the likelihood of reliable and 29
affordable electrical service and statewide fuel supplies; 30
(6) Consider whether the measures would result in an increase in 31
electricity costs to consumers in the State; 32
(7) Consider the impact of the plans on the ability of the State to: 33
10 HOUSE BILL 708
(i) Attract, expand, and retain commercial aviation services; and 1
(ii) Conserve, protect, and retain agriculture; [and] 2
(8) Ensure that the greenhouse gas emissions reduction measures 3
implemented in accordance with the plans: 4
(i) Are implemented in an efficient and cost–effective manner; 5
(ii) Do not disproportionately impact rural or low–income, low– to 6
moderate–income, or minority communities or any other particular class of electricity 7
ratepayers; 8
(iii) Minimize leakage; 9
(iv) Are quantifiable, verifiable, and enforceable; 10
(v) Directly cause no loss of existing jobs in the manufacturing 11
sector; 12
(vi) Produce a net economic benefit to the State’s economy and a net 13
increase in jobs in the State, AS COMPARED WITH A N O–ACTION SCENARIO ; and 14
(vii) Encourage new employment opportunities in the State related to 15
energy conservation, alternative energy supply, and greenhouse gas emissions reduction 16
technologies, PARTICULARLY IN AREA S OF THE STATE EXPERIENCING LO W RATES OF 17
EMPLOYMENT OR HIGH C ONCENTRATIONS OF POV ERTY; 18
(9) INCORPORATE TOP –DOWN METHANE EMIS SIONS DATA ACQUIRED 19
THROUGH AIRCRAFT OBS ERVATIONS; AND 20
(10) USE THE BEST AVAILABL E SCIENTIFIC INFORMA TION, AS 21
INCLUDED IN THE MOST RECENT ASSESSMENTS A ND REPORTS OF THE 22
INTERGOVERNMENTAL PANEL ON CLIMATE CHANGE. 23
(B) THE ECONOMIC BENEFIT ANALYSIS UNDER SUBSE CTION (A)(8)(VI) OF 24
THIS SECTION SHALL I NCLUDE THE SOCIAL CO ST OF GREENHOUSE GASES , USING 25
EITHER THE RATE ADOP TED BY THE DEPARTMENT OR THE RAT E ADOPTED BY THE 26
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, WHICHEVER IS GREATER. 27
2–1210. 28
On review of the study required under § 2–1207 of this subtitle, and the reports 29
required under § 2–1211 of this subtitle, the General Assembly: 30
HOUSE BILL 708 11
(1) May act to maintain, revise, or eliminate the [40%] greenhouse gas 1
emissions [reduction] REDUCTIONS required under [§ 2–1204.1] §§ 2–1204.1 AND 2
2–1204.2 of this subtitle; and 3
(2) Shall consider whether to continue the special manufacturing 4
provisions in § 2–1205(f)(1) of this subtitle. 5
2–1303. 6
(a) The Commission shall establish: 7
(1) A Scientific and Technical Working Group; 8
(2) A Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Working Group; 9
(3) An Adaptation and Response Working Group; [and] 10
(4) An Education, Communication, and Outreach Working Group; AND 11
(5) SUBJECT TO § 2–1303.1 OF THIS SUBTITLE, A JUST TRANSITION 12
EMPLOYMENT AND RETRAINING WORKING GROUP. 13
2–1303.1. 14
(A) IN THIS SECTION, “WORKING GROUP” MEANS THE JUST TRANSITION 15
EMPLOYMENT AND RETRAINING WORKING GROUP OF THE COMMISSION. 16
(B) THE COMMISSION SHALL ESTA BLISH A JUST TRANSITION 17
EMPLOYMENT AND RETRAINING WORKING GROUP. 18
(C) THE WORKING GROUP SHALL INCLUDE : 19
(1) TWO MEMBERS OF THE SENATE OF MARYLAND, APPOINTED BY 20
THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE; 21
(2) TWO MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES, APPOINTED BY 22
THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE; 23
(3) THE SECRETARY, OR THE SECRETARY’S DESIGNEE; 24
(4) THE SECRETARY OF LABOR, OR THE SECRETARY’S DESIGNEE; 25
(5) ONE ELECTRICAL WORKER , SELECTED BY THE INTERNATIONAL 26
BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS; 27
12 HOUSE BILL 708
(6) ONE CONSTRUCTION LABO RER, SELECTED BY THE BALTIMORE 1
WASHINGTON LABORERS’ DISTRICT COUNCIL; 2
(7) TWO REPRESENTATIVES O F THE BUILDING AND C ONSTRUCTION 3
TRADE INDUSTRY , SELECTED BY THE BALTIMORE–DC METRO BUILDING AND 4
CONSTRUCTION TRADES COUNCIL; 5
(8) FOUR LABOR REPRESENTA TIVES, SELECTED BY THE MARYLAND 6
STATE AFL–CIO; 7
(9) ONE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ENERGY EFFICIENC Y INDUSTRY, 8
SELECTED BY THE SECRETARY; 9
(10) ONE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE MARYLAND CHAPTER OF THE 10
SIERRA CLUB, SELECTED BY THE MARYLAND CHAPTER OF THE SIERRA CLUB; 11
(11) ONE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE SOLAR ENERGY IND USTRY, 12
SELECTED BY THE MARYLAND–DC–DELAWARE–VIRGINIA SOLAR ENERGY 13
INDUSTRIES ASSOCIATION; 14
(12) ONE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE WIND ENERGY INDU STRY, 15
SELECTED BY THE AMERICAN WIND ENERGY ASSOCIATION; 16
(13) TWO REPRESENTATIVES OF R EGISTERED APPRENTICE SHIP 17
SPONSORS, ONE SELECTED BY THE MARYLAND CHAPTERS OF THE ASSOCIATED 18
BUILDERS AND CONTRACTORS AND ONE S ELECTED BY THE BALTIMORE–DC 19
METRO BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION TRADES COUNCIL; 20
(14) ONE COMMUNITY COLLEGE REPRESENTATIVE, SELECTED BY THE 21
MARYLAND ASSOCIATION OF COMMUNITY COLLEGES; 22
(15) ONE REPRESENTATIVE WH O IS A VETERAN , SELECTED BY THE 23
MARYLAND MILITARY COALITION; 24
(16) ONE REPRESENTATIVE WH O IS A FORMERLY INCA RCERATED 25
INDIVIDUAL, SELECTED BY THE LEGAL ACTION CENTER NATIONAL H.I.R.E. 26
NETWORKS; 27
(17) TWO AT–LARGE REPRESENTATIVE S WHO ARE WOMEN IN 28
AFFECTED INDUSTRIES , SELECTED BY THE GOVERNOR; AND 29
(18) TWO REPRESENTATIVES S ELECTED BY THE MARYLAND STATE 30
CHAPTER OF THE NAACP. 31
HOUSE BILL 708 13
(D) THE SECRETARY SHALL DE SIGNATE THE CHAIR OF THE WORKING 1
GROUP. 2
(E) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL PROV IDE STAFF FOR THE WORKING GROUP. 3
(F) A MEMBER OF THE WORKING GROUP: 4
(1) MAY NOT RECEIVE COMPE NSATION AS A MEMBER OF THE 5
WORKING GROUP; BUT 6
(2) IS ENTITLED TO REIMBU RSEMENT FOR E XPENSES UNDER THE 7
STANDARD STATE TRAVEL REGULATIONS, AS PROVIDED IN THE STATE BUDGET . 8
(G) THE WORKING GROUP SHALL: 9
(1) ADVISE THE COMMISSION ON ISSUES AND OPPORTUNITIES FO R 10
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMEN T AND TRAINING RELAT ED TO ENERGY EFFICIE NCY 11
MEASURES, RENEWABLE ENERGY , AND OTHER CLEAN ENER GY TECHNOLOGIES , 12
WITH SPECIFIC FOCUS ON TRAINING AND WORK FORCE OPPORTUNITIES FOR: 13
(I) SEGMENTS OF THE POPUL ATION THAT MAY BE 14
UNDERREPRESENTED IN THE CLEAN ENERGY WOR KFORCE, SUCH AS VETERANS , 15
WOMEN, AND FORMERLY INC ARCERATED INDIVIDUAL S; AND 16
(II) DISLOCATED WORKERS AF FECTED BY THE DOWNSI ZING OF 17
FOSSIL FUEL INDUSTRI ES; 18
(2) IDENTIFY: 19
(I) ENERGY–INTENSIVE INDUSTRIES AND RELATED TRADES ; 20
(II) SITES OF ELECTRIC GEN ERATING FACILITIES T HAT MAY BE 21
CLOSED AS A RESULT OF A TRANSITI ON TO RENEWABLE ENER GY SOURCES; 22
(III) SECTOR–SPECIFIC IMPACTS OF THE STATE’S GREENHOUSE 23
GAS EMISSIONS REDUCT ION PLAN ON THE STATE’S CURRENT WORKFORCE ; 24
(IV) AVENUES TO MAXIMIZE T HE SKILLS AND EXPERT ISE OF 25
MARYLAND WORKERS IN T HE NEW ENERGY ECONOM Y; 26
(V) CHALLENGES AND OPPORT UNITIES RELATED TO 27
MINIMIZING ADVERSE E MPLOYMENT AND FINANC IAL IMPACTS ON DISPL ACED 28
WORKERS AND THEIR CO MMUNITIES THROUGH EN VIRONMENTAL POLICIES 29
CONDITIONED ON THE F AIR DISTRIBUTION OF COSTS AND BENEFITS ; AND 30 14 HOUSE BILL 708
(VI) RESOURCES NECESSARY T O PROTECT WORKERS FR OM 1
ECONOMIC INSECURITY , INCLUDING OPTIONS FO R MAINTAINING OR 2
SUPPLEMENTING RETIRE MENT AND HEALTH CARE BENEFITS FOR DISLOCA TED 3
WORKERS AFFECTED BY THE DOWNSIZING OF FO SSIL FUEL INDUSTRIES ; 4
(3) ADVISE THE COMMISSION ON THE POT ENTIAL IMPACTS OF 5
CARBON LEAKAGE RISKS ON MARYLAND INDUSTRIES A ND LOCAL HOST 6
COMMUNITIES , INCLUDING THE IMPACT OF ANY POTENTIAL GRE ENHOUSE GAS 7
EMISSIONS REDUCTION MEASURES ON THE COMP ETITIVENESS OF MARYLAND 8
BUSINESSES AND INDUS TRY; AND 9
(4) CONDUCT A STUDY OF : 10
(I) THE NUMBER OF JOBS CR EATED TO COUNTER CLI MATE 11
CHANGE, INCLUDING IN THE ENE RGY SECTOR , BUILDING SECTOR , 12
TRANSPORTATION SECTO R, AND WORKING LANDS SE CTOR; 13
(II) THE PROJECTED INVENTO RY OF JOBS NEEDED AN D SKILLS 14
AND TRAINING REQUIRE D TO MEET FUTURE DEM AND FOR JOBS TO COUN TER 15
CLIMATE CHANGE ; 16
(III) WORKFORCE DISRUPTION DUE TO COMMUNITY CHA NGES 17
CAUSED BY THE TRANSI TION TO A LOW–CARBON ECONOMY ; AND 18
(IV) STRATEGIES FOR TARGETING WORKFORCE DEVELOPMEN T 19
AND JOB CREATION IN FENCELINE COMMUNITIE S THAT HAVE HISTORIC ALLY BORNE 20
THE BRUNT OF HOSTING CARBON POLLUTERS . 21
(H) ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 2023, THE WORKING GROUP SHALL 22
REPORT TO THE COMMISSION AND , IN ACCORDAN CE WITH § 2–1257 OF THE STATE 23
GOVERNMENT ARTICLE, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON THE FINDI NGS OF THE STUDY 24
REQUIRED UNDER SUBSE CTION (G)(4) OF THIS SECTION. 25
2–1304. 26
(A) On or before November 15 of each year, the Commission shall report to the 27
Governor and General Assembly, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government 28
Article, on the status of the State’s efforts to mitigate the causes of, prepare for, and adapt 29
to the consequences of climate change, including future plans and recommendations for 30
legislation, if any, to be considered by the General Assembly. 31
(B) THE REPORT DUE ON OR BEFORE NOVEMBER 15, 2023, AND EACH 32
SUBSEQUENT REPORT SH ALL INCLUDE AN ANALY SIS, PREPARED BY THE 33
DEPARTMENT , OF: 34 HOUSE BILL 708 15
(1) THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF STATE MONEY SPENT ON MEASURES TO 1
REDUCE GREENHOUSE GASE S AND, TO THE EXTENT PRACTI CABLE, 2
CO–POLLUTANTS , DURING THE IMMEDIATE LY PRECEDING FISCAL YEAR; AND 3
(2) THE PERCENTAGE OF THA T FUNDING THAT BENEF ITED 4
DISPROPORTIONATELY A FFECTED COMMUNITIES IDENTIFIED ACCORDING TO THE 5
CRITERIA DEVELO PED BY THE DEPARTMENT UNDER § 1–702 OF THIS ARTICLE. 6
Article – Natural Resources 7
8–1925. RESERVED. 8
8–1926. RESERVED. 9
PART III. MARYLAND CLIMATE JUSTICE CORPS. 10
8–1927. 11
(A) IN THIS PART THE FOLL OWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS 12
INDICATED. 13
(B) “CLEAN ENERGY PROJECT ” MEANS A PROJECT TO I MPROVE ACCESS TO 14
CLEAN, RENEWABLE ENERGY SOU RCES IN A COMMUNITY DISPROPORTIONATELY 15
AFFECTED BY CLIMATE CHANGE. 16
(C) “CLIMATE MITIGATION PR OJECT” MEANS A PROJECT TO R EDUCE 17
EMISSIONS OF GREENHO USE GASES AND CO –POLLUTANTS AND MITIGATE THE 18
HEALTH IMPACTS OF CL IMATE CHANGE IN A CO MMUNITY DISPROPORTIO NATELY 19
AFFECTED BY CLIMATE CHANGE. 20
(D) “COMMUNITY DISPROPORTI ONATELY AFFECTED BY CLIMATE CHANGE ” 21
MEANS A COMMUNITY ID ENTIFIED USING THE M ETHODOLOGY RECOMMEND ED BY 22
THE COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES 23
UNDER § 1–702 OF THE ENVIRONMENT ARTICLE. 24
(E) “CORPS BOARD” MEANS THE ADVISORY BOARD OF THE CORPS 25
PROGRAM. 26
(F) “CORPS PROGRAM” MEANS THE MARYLAND CLIMATE JUSTICE CORPS 27
PROGRAM ESTABLISHED U NDER § 8–1928 OF THIS SUBTITLE. 28
(G) “QUALIFIED ORGANIZATIO N” MEANS: 29
16 HOUSE BILL 708
(1) A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATI ON; 1
(2) A SCHOOL; 2
(3) A COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIO N; 3
(4) A SERVICE, YOUTH, OR CIVIC GROUP ; 4
(5) AN INSTITUTION OF HIG HER EDUCATION ; 5
(6) A COUNTY OR M UNICIPALITY; OR 6
(7) A UNIT OF STATE GOVERNMENT . 7
(H) “TRUST” MEANS THE CHESAPEAKE BAY TRUST. 8
8–1928. 9
(A) THERE IS A MARYLAND CLIMATE JUSTICE CORPS PROGRAM 10
ADMINISTERED BY THE TRUST, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE CORPS BOARD. 11
(B) THE PURPOSE OF THE CORPS PROGRAM IS TO: 12
(1) PROMOTE CLIMATE JUSTI CE AND ASSIST THE STATE IN 13
ACHIEVING ITS GREENH OUSE GAS EMISSIONS R EDUCTION TARGETS ; 14
(2) PROVIDE YOUNG ADULTS WITH OPPORTUNITIES T O BECOME 15
BETTER CITIZENS , STUDENTS, AND WORKERS THROUGH MEANINGFUL SERVICE TO 16
THEIR COMMUNITIES AN D THE STATE; 17
(3) MOBILIZE, EDUCATE, AND TRAIN YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS TO 18
DEPLOY CLEAN ENERGY TECHNOLOGY AND MITIG ATE AND PREVENT THE 19
ENVIRONMENTAL AND HE ALTH IMPACTS OF CLIM ATE CHANGE IN COMMUN ITIES 20
DISPROPORTIONATELY A FFECTED BY CLIMATE CHANGE ; AND 21
(4) PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS, 22
ESPECIALLY DISADVANT AGED YOUTH, TO BE TRAINED FOR CA REERS THAT WILL BE 23
PART OF THE EMERGING FIELD OF “GREEN–COLLAR” JOBS. 24
8–1929. 25
(A) (1) THE PURPOSE OF THE CORPS BOARD IS TO ADVISE THE TRUST IN 26
THE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF TH E CORPS PROGRAM. 27 HOUSE BILL 708 17
(2) THE CORPS BOARD CONSISTS OF THE FOLLOWING 11 MEMBERS: 1
(I) ONE MEMBER OF THE SENATE OF MARYLAND, APPOINTED 2
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE; 3
(II) ONE MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES, APPOINTED 4
BY THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE; 5
(III) ONE MEMBER APPOINTED BY THE PRESIDENT OF MORGAN 6
STATE UNIVERSITY, TO SERVE AS A LIAISO N BETWEEN THE CORPS BOARD, THE 7
PRESIDENT, AND THE BOARD OF REGENTS; 8
(IV) THREE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE 9
CHESAPEAKE BAY TRUST, APPOINTED BY THE CHAIR OF THE BOARD; AND 10
(V) FIVE MEMBERS APPOINTE D BY THE GOVERNOR WITH THE 11
ADVICE AND CONSENT O F THE SENATE, INCLUDING AT LEAST O NE INDIVIDUAL 12
FROM THE NONPROFIT S ECTOR WITH A BACKGRO UND IN EDUCATION AND STUDEN T 13
SERVICE AND ONE WITH A BACKGROUND IN WORK FORCE DEVELOPMENT . 14
(3) IF A REGULATED LOBBYI ST IS APPOINTED TO S ERVE AS A MEMBER 15
OF THE CORPS BOARD, THE LOBBYIST IS NOT SUBJECT TO: 16
(I) § 5–504(D) OF THE GENERAL PROVISIONS ARTICLE; OR 17
(II) § 5–704(F)(3) OF THE GENERAL PROVISIONS ARTICLE AS A 18
RESULT OF THAT SERVI CE. 19
(B) A MEMBER OF THE CORPS BOARD SHALL RESIDE IN THE STATE. 20
(C) IN MAKING APPOINTMENT S TO THE CORPS BOARD, THE GOVERNOR 21
SHALL CONSIDER : 22
(1) DIVERSITY; AND 23
(2) ALL GEOGRAPHIC REGION S OF THE STATE. 24
(D) A MEMBER OF THE CORPS BOARD: 25
(1) MAY NOT RECEIVE COMPE NSATION AS A MEMBER OF THE CORPS 26
BOARD; BUT 27
18 HOUSE BILL 708
(2) IS ENTITLED TO REIMBU RSEMENT FOR EXPENSES UNDER THE 1
STANDARD STATE TRAVEL REGULATIONS, AS PROVIDED IN THE STATE BUDGET . 2
(E) (1) THE TERM OF A MEMBER IS 4 YEARS. 3
(2) THE TERMS OF THE MEMB ERS ARE STAGGERED AS REQUIRED BY 4
THE TERMS PROVIDED F OR MEMBERS ON JULY 1, 2022. 5
(3) AT THE END OF A TERM , A MEMBER CONTINUES T O SERVE UNTIL 6
A SUCCESSOR IS APPOI NTED AND QUALIFIES. 7
(4) A MEMBER WHO IS APPOIN TED AFTER A TERM HAS BEGUN SERVES 8
ONLY FOR THE REST OF THE TERM AND UNTIL A SUCCESSOR IS APPOINT ED AND 9
QUALIFIES. 10
(F) THE APPOINTING AUTHOR ITY MAY REMOVE A MEM BER FOR 11
INCOMPETENCE , MISCONDUCT , OR FAILURE TO PER FORM THE DUTIES OF T HE 12
POSITION. 13
(G) (1) THE CORPS BOARD SHALL DETERMINE THE TIMES AND PLACES 14
OF ITS MEETINGS. 15
(2) THE CORPS BOARD MAY ACT WITH AN AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF SIX 16
MEMBERS. 17
8–1930. 18
(A) FROM AMONG ITS MEMBER S, THE CORPS BOARD SHALL ELECT A C HAIR 19
AND A VICE CHAIR. 20
(B) THE TRUST SHALL PROVIDE S TAFF SUPPORT FOR THE CORPS BOARD. 21
8–1931. 22
(A) (1) THE TRUST, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE CORPS BOARD, SHALL 23
MAKE GRANTS TO QUALI FIED ORGANIZATIONS F OR THE CREATION OR E XPANSION 24
OF FULL– AND PART–TIME MARYLAND CLIMATE JUSTICE CORPS PROGRAMS, THAT 25
INVOLVE STUDENTS AND YOUNG ADULTS THROUGH OUT THE STATE, TO CARRY OUT 26
THIS PART. 27
(2) CORPS PROGRAMS SHALL ENGAGE AND DEVELOP S TIPEND 28
VOLUNTEERS IN CLIMAT E JUSTICE PROJECTS A ND CLEAN ENERGY PROJ ECTS IN 29
COMMUNITIE S DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECTED BY CLIMATE CHANGE. 30 HOUSE BILL 708 19
(3) ELIGIBLE CORPS PROGRAM EXPENSES INCL UDE PERSONNEL 1
COSTS, STIPENDS, SUPPLIES, AND OTHER MATERIALS FOR PROJECTS UNDERTA KEN 2
BY CORPS PROGRAM VOLUNTEERS . 3
(B) THE TRUST, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE CORPS BOARD, SHALL 4
DEVELOP GUIDELINES F OR EVALUATING APPLIC ATIONS FROM QUALIFIE D 5
ORGANIZATIONS . 6
(C) THE GUIDELINES DEVELO PED IN ACCORDANCE WI TH SUBSECTION (B) 7
OF THIS SECTION SHAL L: 8
(1) CONSIDER THE CAPABILI TY OF THE QUALIFIED ORGANIZATION 9
TO CARRY OUT CORPS PROGRAMS OR PROJEC TS; 10
(2) ENCOURAGE AND CONSIDE R MULTIYEAR , MULTIPARTNER 11
PROPOSALS, LOCAL MATCH , COST–SHARING AGREEMENTS , AND IN–KIND MATCH AS 12
FACTORS IN EVALUATIN G CORPS PROGRAM GRANT APPLICA TIONS; AND 13
(3) REQUIRE GRANT APPLICA TIONS TO DESCRIBE HO W THE 14
QUALIFYING ORGANIZAT ION INTENDS TO: 15
(I) ASSESS THE SKILLS OF CORPS PROGRAM VOLUNTEERS ; 16
(II) PROVIDE LIFE SKILLS A ND WORK SKILLS TRAIN ING; 17
(III) PROVIDE TRAINING AND EDUCATION, IN ADDITION TO THE 18
TRAINING PROVIDED AS A PART OF THE MAIN CORPS PROGRAM; 19
(IV) DEVELOP, WHERE RELEVANT , AGREEMENTS FOR 20
ACADEMIC STUDY WITH : 21
1. LOCAL EDUCATION AGENC IES; 22
2. COMMUNITY COLLEGES ; 23
3. 4–YEAR COLLEGES ; 24
4. AREA CHARTER HIGH SCH OOLS AND 25
VOCATIONAL–TECHNICAL SCHOOLS ; AND 26
5. COMMUNITY–BASED ORGANIZATIONS ; 27
20 HOUSE BILL 708
(V) PROVIDE CAREER AND ED UCATIONAL GUIDANCE ; 1
(VI) RECRUIT PARTICIPANTS WITHOUT HIGH SCHOOL 2
DIPLOMAS; AND 3
(VII) RECRUIT RETIRED AND S EMIRETIRED SENIORS A ND OTHER 4
QUALIFIED INDIVIDUAL S WITH RELEVANT EXPE RIENCE TO TRAIN CORPS PROGRAM 5
VOLUNTEERS AND PARTI CIPATE IN CORPS PROJECTS BY VOL UNTEERING THEIR 6
EXPERIENCE AND SKILL S. 7
(D) A GRANT AGREEMENT REGA RDING FUNDS FROM THE TRUST SHALL: 8
(1) SPECIFY THE ALLOWED U SE OF THE FUNDS PROV IDED UNDER 9
THE GRANT , INCLUDING ACCO UNTABILITY MEASURES AND PERFORMANCE 10
REQUIREMENTS ; 11
(2) TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE NEED FOR EFFICIENT M ULTIYEAR 12
FUNDING AND ADMINIST RATION OF THE FUNDS ; AND 13
(3) INCLUDE PROVISIONS FO R VERIFICATION THAT CORPS 14
PROGRAMS AND PROJECT S ARE BEING IMPLEMEN TED AS PLANNED. 15
8–1932. 16
(A) FOR STIPEND VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS, THE TRUST AND QUALIFIED 17
ORGANIZATIONS SHALL PRINCIPALLY RECRUIT INDIVIDUALS FOR A MI NIMUM 18
6–MONTH COMMITMENT WHO , AT THE TIME OF ENROL LMENT, ARE AT LEAST 18 19
YEARS OLD AND UNDER THE AGE OF 25 YEARS. 20
(B) QUALIFIED ORGANIZATIO NS MAY NOT UNDERTAKE A PROJECT IF THE 21
PROJECT WOULD REPLAC E REGULAR WORKERS OR DUPLICATE OR REPLACE AN 22
EXISTING SERVICE IN THE SAME LOCALITY . 23
(C) A STIPEND VOLUNTEER : 24
(1) MAY NOT RECEIVE A SAL ARY AS A STIPEND VOL UNTEER; BUT 25
(2) MAY RECEIVE A STIPEND , AS DETERMINED BY THE TRUST, BASED 26
ON THE NEEDS OF THE STIPEND VOLUNTEER AN D THE LIMITS OF BUDG ETARY 27
APPROPRIATIONS . 28
HOUSE BILL 708 21
(D) (1) A STIPEND VOLUNTEER MA Y NOT PARTICIPATE IN ANY PARTISAN 1
POLITICAL ACTIVITY W HILE ENGAGED IN THE PERFORMANCE OF DUTIES AS A 2
STIPEND VOLUNTEER . 3
(2) THIS PART IS EFFECTIV E ONLY TO THE EXTENT THAT IT DOES NOT 4
CONFLICT WITH ANY FE DERAL OR STATE LAWS OR REGULAT IONS RELATING TO 5
PARTICIPATION IN PAR TISAN POLITICAL ACTI VITIES. 6
(3) A STIPEND VOLUNTEER MA Y NOT PARTICIPATE IN ANY 7
REGULATORY OR STATUT ORY ENFORCEMENT ACTI VITIES WHILE ENGAGED IN THE 8
PERFORMANCE OF DUTIE S AS A MEMBER OF THE CORPS PROGRAM. 9
8–1933. 10
(A) THE TRUST SHALL PROVIDE T ECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO QUALIFIED 11
ORGANIZATIONS THAT R EQUEST ASSISTANCE . 12
(B) THE TRUST SHALL CONVENE MARYLAND CLIMATE JUSTICE CORPS 13
PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS ON A REGULAR BASIS I N ORDER TO: 14
(1) PROMOTE TEAM BUILDING AMONG THE PARTICIPAN TS; 15
(2) DEVELOP AN UNDERSTAND ING OF THE OVERALL CORPS 16
PROGRAM PURPOSE ; 17
(3) SHARE INFORMA TION ABOUT BEST PRAC TICES; 18
(4) RECOGNIZE EXCELLENCE ; AND 19
(5) PROVIDE TRAINING AND OTHER LEARNING OPPOR TUNITIES. 20
(C) IN PROVIDING TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSIST ANCE, THE TRUST MAY 21
CONTRACT WITH AN ORG ANIZATION WITH A PRO VEN TRACK RECORD OF 22
DEVELOPING AND SUSTAINING CORPS PROGRAMS , WORKING WITH THE 23
CONSERVATION CORPS MODEL , AND ENGAGING YOUNG P EOPLE FROM 24
DISADVANTAGED BACKGR OUNDS. 25
8–1934. 26
(A) THE CORPS PROGRAM’S PROJECTS AND ACTIV ITIES SHALL MEET AN 27
IDENTIFIABLE PUBLIC NEED WITHIN A COMMUN ITY DISPROPORTIONATE LY 28
AFFECTED BY CLIMATE CHANGE, WITH SPECIFIC EMPHAS IS ON PROJECTS THAT 29 22 HOUSE BILL 708
RESULT IN LONG –TERM REDUCTIONS TO G REENHOUSE GAS EMISSI ONS AND 1
IMPROVEMENTS TO PUBLIC H EALTH AND THE ENVIRO NMENT. 2
(B) CLIMATE MITIGATION PR OJECTS MAY INCLUDE : 3
(1) PROJECTS TO EXPAND UR BAN TREE CANOPY , IMPLEMENT GREEN 4
ROOFTOPS, AND TAKE OTHER ACTIO NS TO REDUCE URBAN H EAT ISLAND EFFECTS ; 5
AND 6
(2) PROJECTS TO IMPROV E ACCESS TO CLEAN , RELIABLE 7
TRANSPORTATION , INCLUDING THROUGH TH E EXPANSION OF BIKE TRAILS AND 8
PEDESTRIAN WALKWAYS . 9
(C) CLEAN ENERGY PROJECTS MAY INCLUDE: 10
(1) PROJECTS TO INSTALL R ENEWABLE ENERGY SYST EMS AT 11
LOW–INCOME HOUSEHOLDS AN D SCHOOLS , LIBRARIES, AND OTHER PUBLIC 12
BUILDINGS; AND 13
(2) PROJECTS TO UNDERTAKE HOLISTIC RETROFITS O F 14
LOW–INCOME HOUSEHOLDS , INCLUDING WEATHERIZA TION AND HEAT PUMP 15
INSTALLATION. 16
8–1935. 17
THE TRUST AND THE CORPS BOARD SHALL SEEK FEDE RAL FUNDS AND 18
GRANTS AND DONATIONS FROM PRIVATE SOURCES TO BE MADE TO THE TRUST FOR 19
THE PURPOSE OF LONG –TERM FUNDING OF THE CORPS PROGRAM. 20
8–1936. 21
COLLEGES AND UNIVERSI TIES MAY: 22
(1) CONTRACT WITH THE TRUST TO CARRY OUT CORPS PROGRAM 23
WORK; 24
(2) ASSIGN TO THE TRUST RESOURCES TO AS SIST IN ITS CORPS 25
PROGRAM WORK , DEVELOPMENT , AND ACTIVITIES; AND 26
(3) ASSIGN FACULTY AND ST AFF TO THE TRUST FOR THE PURPOSE 27
OF CARRYING OUT OR A SSISTING WITH CORPS PROGRAMS . 28
8–1937. 29 HOUSE BILL 708 23
(A) IN DEVELOPING ITS PRO GRAMS AND SEEKING FE DERAL AND STATE 1
GRANTS, THE TRUST AND THE CORPS BOARD SHALL: 2
(1) COORDINATE ALL EFFORT S WITH THE MARYLAND 3
CONSERVATION CORPS ESTABLISHED IN TITLE 5, SUBTITLE 2 OF THIS ARTICLE TO 4
ENGAGE YOUNG ADULTS IN CONSERVATION SERV ICE PROJECTS; 5
(2) COORDINATE ALL EFFORT S WITH THE CIVIC JUSTICE CORPS, AN 6
ADJUNCT PROGRAM OF T HE MARYLAND CONSERVATION CORPS, TO ENGAGE YOUTH 7
IN CONSERVATION SERV ICE PROJECTS; AND 8
(3) SEEK ASSISTANCE AND A DVICE FROM RELEVANT PUBLIC AND 9
PRIVATE SOURCES . 10
(B) IN DEVELOPING CLEAN E NERGY INFRASTRUCTURE AND EDUCATIONAL 11
PROGRAMS, THE TRUST AND THE CORPS BOARD SHALL SEEK ASSI STANCE FROM 12
AND COOPERATE WITH T HE MARYLAND CLEAN ENERGY CENTER UNDER TITLE 10, 13
SUBTITLE 8 OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ARTICLE. 14
(C) IN DEVELOPING ITS VOL UNTEER PROGRAMS , THE TRUST AND THE 15
CORPS BOARD SHALL SEEK ASSI STANCE FROM AND COOP ERATE WITH: 16
(1) THE MARYLAND SERVICE CORPS AND THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE 17
ON SERVICE AND VOLUNTEERISM UNDER TITLE 9.5, SUBTITLE 2 OF THE STATE 18
GOVERNMENT ARTICLE; 19
(2) THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND OTHER AP PROPRIATE 20
UNITS OF STATE GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE SECTOR ENTIT IES TO DEVELOP 21
OPPORTUNITIES FOR ST UDENT PARTICIPATION IN PRIVATE SECTOR AC TIVITIES, 22
SUCH AS INTERNSHIP A ND EXTERNSHIP PROGRA MS; AND 23
(3) MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS OF 24
HIGHER EDUC ATION IN THE STATE, TO DEVELOP OPPORTUNI TIES FOR COURSE 25
CREDIT ARRANGEMENTS THROUGH WHICH STUDEN TS MAY EARN COURSE C REDITS 26
FOR PARTICIPATION IN CORPS PROGRAMS AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO OR IN ADDITION 27
TO PAYMENT OF A STIP END. 28
8–1938. 29
(A) ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 1 EACH YEAR, THE TRUST, IN CONSULTATION 30
WITH THE CORPS BOARD SHALL REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR AND , IN ACCORDANCE 31
WITH § 2–1257 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. 32 24 HOUSE BILL 708
(B) THE REPORT SHALL INCL UDE A COMPLETE OPERA TING AND FINANCIAL 1
STATEMENT CO VERING THE OPERATION S OF THE CORPS BOARD AND A SUMMARY 2
OF THE ACTIVITIES OF THE CORPS BOARD DURING THE PREC EDING FISCAL YEAR . 3
Article – Public Utilities 4
7–211. 5
(d) (1) Subject TO PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION A ND SUBJECT to 6
review and approval by the Commission, each gas company and electric company shall 7
develop and implement programs and services to encourage and promote the efficient use 8
and conservation of energy by consumers, gas companies, and electric companies. 9
(2) BEGINNING WITH THE CA LENDAR YEAR 2024, THE PROGRAMS 10
AND SERVICES PROVIDED UNDER THIS SUBSECTIO N SHALL: 11
(I) ENCOURAGE AND PROMOT E THE REPLACEMENT OR 12
ENHANCEMENT OF GAS , OIL, OR PROPANE HEATING S YSTEMS WITH ELECTRIC HEAT 13
PUMPS, GIVING PRIORITY TO L OW–INCOME HOUSEHOLDS AN D CONSUMERS ; AND 14
(II) ENCOURAGE AND PROMOT E BENEFICIAL ELECTRI FICATION 15
FOR THE PURPOSES OF REDUCING ENERGY CONS UMPTION, REDUCING CONSUMER 16
COSTS, AND REDUCING GREENHO USE GAS EMISSIONS . 17
(3) BEGINNING WITH THE CA LENDAR YEAR 2024, THE PROGRAMS 18
AND SERVICES PROVIDE D UNDER THIS SUBSECT ION MAY NOT PROVIDE FINANCIAL 19
ASSISTANCE FOR EQUIPMENT OR APPLIANCES THAT USE FOSSIL FUEL . 20
(f) (1) The Commission shall: 21
[(1)] (I) require each gas company and electric company to establish any 22
program or service that the Commission deems appropriate and cost effective to encourage 23
and promote the [efficient use and conservation of energy] ITEMS SPECIFIED IN 24
SUBSECTION (D) OF THIS SECTION ; 25
[(2)] (II) adopt rate–making policies that provide cost recovery and, in 26
appropriate circumstances, reasonable financial incentives for gas companies and electric 27
companies to establish programs and services that encourage and promote the [efficient 28
use and conservation of energy] ITEMS SPECIFIED IN SUBSECTION (D) OF THIS 29
SECTION; and 30
HOUSE BILL 708 25
[(3)] (III) ensure that adoption of electric customer choice under Subtitle 5 1
of this title does not adversely impact the continuation of [cost–effective energy efficiency 2
and conservation] THE programs PROVIDED UNDER SUBSECTION (D) OF THIS SECTION. 3
(2) IN DETERMINING WHETHE R A PROGRAM OR SERVI CE PROVIDED 4
UNDER SUBSECTION (D) OF THIS SECTION IS C OST–EFFECTIVE, THE COMMISSION 5
SHALL CONSIDER THE S OCIAL COST OF GREENH OUSE GASES, USING EITHER THE 6
RATE ADOPTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT OR THE RA TE 7
ADOPTED BY THE U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, WHICHEVER IS 8
GREATER. 9
(g) (1) Except as provided in subsection (e) of this section, on or before 10
December 31, 2008, by regulation or order, the Commission shall: 11
(i) to the extent that the Commission determines that cost–effective 12
energy efficiency and conservation programs and services are available, for each affected 13
class, require each electric company to procure or provide for its electricity customers 14
cost–effective energy efficiency and conservation programs and services with projected and 15
verifiable electricity savings that are designed to achieve a targeted reduction of at least 16
5% by the end of 2011 and 10% by the end of 2015 of per capita electricity consumed in the 17
electric company’s service territory during 2007; and 18
(ii) require each electric company to implement a cost–effective 19
demand response program in the electric company’s service territory that is designed to 20
achieve a targeted reduction of at least 5% by the end of 2011, 10% by the end of 2013, and 21
15% by the end of 2015, in per capita peak demand of electricity consumed in the electric 22
company’s service territory during 2007. 23
(2) (i) Except as provided in subsection (e) of this section, for the 24
duration of the [2018–2020 and] 2021–2023 AND 2024–2026 program cycles, by regulation 25
or order, the Commission shall, to the extent that the Commission determines that 26
cost–effective energy efficiency and conservation programs and services are available, for 27
each affected class, require each electric company to procure or provide for its electricity 28
customers cost–effective energy efficiency and conservation programs and services with 29
projected and verifiable electricity savings that are designed on a trajectory to achieve a 30
targeted annual incremental gross energy savings of at least [2.0% per year, calculated as 31
a percentage of the electric company’s 2016 weather–normalized gross retail sales and 32
electricity losses] THE FOLLOWING ANNUAL PERCENTAGES , CALCULATED AS A 33
PERCENTAGE OF THE EL ECTRIC COMPANY ’S 2016 WEATHER–NORMALIZED GROSS 34
RETAIL SALES AND ELE CTRICITY LOSSES : 35
1. 2.25% PER YEAR IN 2025 AND 2026; 36
2. 2.5% IN 2027; AND 37
26 HOUSE BILL 708
3. 2.75% PER YEAR IN 2028 AND THEREAFTER . 1
(ii) The savings trajectory shall use the approved 2016 plans 2
submitted under subsection (h)(2) of this section as a baseline for an incremental increase 3
of a rate of .20% per year until the minimum [2.0% per year] savings rate SPECIFIED IN 4
SUBPARAGRAPH (I) OF THIS PARAGRAPH is achieved. 5
(iii) The gross retail sales against which the savings are measured 6
shall: 7
1. reflect sales associated with customer classes served by 8
utility–administered programs only; and 9
2. be updated by the Commission for each plan submitted 10
under subsection (h)(2) of this section. 11
(iv) The targeted annual incremental gross energy savings shall be 12
achieved based on the 3–year average of an electric company’s plan submitted under 13
subsection (h)(2) of this section. 14
(k) On or before May 1 of each year, the Commission, in consultation with the 15
Maryland Energy Administration, shall report, subject to § 2–1257 of the State Government 16
Article, to the General Assembly on: 17
(1) the status of programs and services to encourage and promote the 18
[efficient use and conservation of energy] ITEMS SPECIFIED IN SUBSECTION (D) OF THIS 19
SECTION, including an evaluation of the impact of the programs and services that are 20
directed to low–income communities, low– to moderate–income communities to the extent 21
possible, and other particular classes of ratepayers; 22
(2) a recommendation for the appropriate funding level to adequately fund 23
these programs and services; and 24
(3) in accordance with subsection (c) of this section, the per capita 25
electricity consumption and the peak demand for the previous calendar year. 26
Article – State Government 27
9–2010. 28
(A) IN THIS SECTION, “HUB” MEANS THE CLIMATE TRANSITION AND CLEAN 29
ENERGY HUB. 30
(B) THERE IS A CLIMATE TRANSITION AND CLEAN ENERGY HUB IN THE 31
ADMINISTRAT ION. 32
HOUSE BILL 708 27
(C) THE PURPOSE OF THE HUB IS TO SERVE AS A CLEARINGHOUSE FOR 1
INFORMATION ON ADVAN CED TECHNOLOGY AND A RCHITECTURAL SOLUTIO NS TO 2
REDUCE GREENHOUSE GA S EMISSIONS FROM THE BUILDING SECTOR . 3
(D) THE HUB SHALL PROVIDE TEC HNICAL ASSISTANCE TO PUBLIC AND 4
PRIVATE ENTITIES TO ACHIEVE GREENHOUSE G AS EMISSIONS REDUCTI ONS AND 5
COMPLY WITH STATE AND LOCAL ENERG Y EFFICIENCY AND ELE CTRIFICATION 6
REQUIREMENTS . 7
9–20B–05. 8
(a) There is a Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund. 9
(b) The purpose of the Fund is to implement the Strategic Energy Investment 10
Program. 11
(c) The Administration shall administer the Fund. 12
(f) [The] SUBJECT TO SUBSECTION (F–5) OF THIS SECTION , THE 13
Administration shall use the Fund: 14
(1) to invest in the promotion, development, and implementation of: 15
(i) cost–effective energy efficiency and conservation programs, 16
projects, or activities, including measurement and verification of energy savings; 17
(ii) renewable and clean energy resources; 18
(iii) climate change programs directly related to reducing or 19
mitigating the effects of climate change; and 20
(iv) demand response programs that are designed to promote 21
changes in electric usage by customers in response to: 22
1. changes in the price of electricity over time; or 23
2. incentives designed to induce lower electricity use at times 24
of high wholesale market prices or when system reliability is jeopardized; 25
(2) to provide targeted programs, projects, activities, and investments to 26
reduce electricity consumption by customers in the low–income and moderate–income 27
residential sectors; 28
(3) to provide supplemental funds for low–income energy assistance 29
through the Electric Universal Service Program established under § 7–512.1 of the Public 30 28 HOUSE BILL 708
Utilities Article and other electric assistance programs in the Department of Human 1
Services; 2
(4) to provide rate relief by offsetting electricity rates of residential 3
customers, including an offset of surcharges imposed on ratepayers under § 7–211 of the 4
Public Utilities Article; 5
(5) to provide grants, loans, and other assistance and investment as 6
necessary and appropriate to implement the purposes of the Program as set forth in § 7
9–20B–03 of this subtitle; 8
(6) to implement energy–related public education and outreach initiatives 9
regarding reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions; 10
(7) to provide rebates under the Electric Vehicle Recharging Equipment 11
Rebate Program established under § 9–2009 of this title; 12
(8) to provide grants to encourage combined heat and power projects at 13
industrial facilities; 14
(9) subject to subsections (f–1) and (f–3) of this section, to provide 15
$7,000,000 in funding for access to capital for small, minority, women–owned, and 16
veteran–owned businesses in the clean energy industry under § 5–1501 of the Economic 17
Development Article, allocated in annual increments as follows: 18
(i) $200,000 in fiscal year 2021; 19
(ii) $500,000 in fiscal year 2022; 20
(iii) $500,000 in fiscal year 2023; 21
(iv) $1,000,000 in fiscal year 2024; and 22
(v) $1,200,000 in each fiscal year from 2025 through 2028; 23
(10) subject to subsections (f–2) and (f–3) of this section, to invest in 24
pre–apprenticeship, youth apprenticeship, and registered apprenticeship programs to 25
establish career paths in the clean energy industry under § 11–708.1 of the Labor and 26
Employment Article, as follows: 27
(i) $1,250,000 for grants to pre–apprenticeship jobs training 28
programs under § 11–708.1(c)(3) of the Labor and Employment Article starting in fiscal 29
year 2021 until all amounts are spent; 30
(ii) $6,000,000 for grants to youth apprenticeship jobs training 31
programs and registered apprenticeship jobs training programs under § 11–708.1(c)(5) of 32 HOUSE BILL 708 29
the Labor and Employment Article starting in fiscal year 2021 until all amounts are spent; 1
and 2
(iii) $750,000 for the recruitment of individuals, including veterans 3
and formerly incarcerated individuals, to the pre–apprenticeship jobs training programs 4
and the registered apprenticeship jobs training programs under § 11–708.1 of the Labor 5
and Employment Article starting in fiscal year 2021 until all amounts are spent; 6
(11) subject to subsection (f–4) of this section, to provide at least $2,100,000 7
in funding each fiscal year to the Maryland Energy Innovation Fund established under § 8
10–835 of the Economic Development Article; and 9
(12) to pay the expenses of the Program. 10
(F–5) FUNDING PROVIDED UNDE R SUBSECTION (F) OF THIS SECTION MAY BE 11
USED FOR A PROJECT THAT USES FOSSIL FUEL ONLY IF IT CAN BE DEMONSTRAT ED 12
THAT THE LIFECYCLE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISS IONS FOR THE PROJECT ARE LESS 13
THAN AN ALL–ELECTRIC ALTERNATIVE . 14
SECTION 4. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That: 15
(a) A Position Identification Number (PIN) shall be created in the Maryland 16
Energy Administration for the Coordinator of the Climate Transition and Clean Energy 17
Hub. 18
(b) It is the intent of the General Assembly that, with the exception of the new 19
Coordinator position and associated salary, the Maryland Energy Administration shall 20
handle the responsibilities of the Climate Transition and Clean Energy Hub with existing 21
resources. 22
SECTION 5. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED , That: 23
(a) (1) The Public Service Commission shall establish a process for gas 24
companies and electric companies to develop utility transition plans to achieve a structured 25
and just transition to near–zero greenhouse gas emissions from the building sector. 26
(2) The process established under this section shall provide for stakeholder 27
review of utility transition plans. 28
(3) The Commission shall amend or reject a utility plan that does not meet 29
the criteria specified in subsection (b) of this section. 30
(b) (1) The gas utility transition plans developed under this section shall 31
include: 32
30 HOUSE BILL 708
(i) appropriate gas system investments and divestments for a 1
shrinking customer base and reductions in gas throughput in the range of 50 to 100% by 2
2045; 3
(ii) a comprehensive equity strategy to enable low–income and 4
middle–income households to improve energy efficiency and electrification affordably; 5
(iii) regulatory, legislative, and other policy recommendations to 6
achieve a structured and just transition of the gas system and infrastructure; 7
(iv) operational practices to meet current customer needs and 8
maintain safe and reliable service while minimizing infrastructure investments; 9
(v) assessment of existing gas infrastructure and options for 10
contraction; and 11
(vi) alternative models for the gas utility’s long–term role, business 12
model, ownership structure, and regulatory compact, as part of the structured transition. 13
(2) The electric utility transition plans developed under this section shall 14
include: 15
(i) electric system investments for a highly electrified buildings 16
sector; 17
(ii) ratepayer protections, especially for low–income and 18
middle–income residents; 19
(iii) incentives to facilitate the transition to a highly electrified 20
buildings sector; and 21
(iv) demand management solutions for reducing winter peak 22
electricity demand. 23
SECTION 6. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That Section 2 of this Act shall take 24
effect June 1, 2022. It shall remain effective for a period of 8 years and 1 month and, at the 25
end of June 30, 2030, Section 2 of this Act, with no further action required by the General 26
Assembly, shall be abrogated and of no further force and effect. 27
SECTION 7. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That, except as provided in Section 28
6 of this Act, this Act shall take effect June 1, 2022. 29