Maryland House Bill HB729

Maryland 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/3/22
• Refer: 2/3/22

Caption

Facilitating University Transformations by Unifying Reductions in Emissions (FUTURE) Act

Impact

The legislation also establishes the Environmental Justice Scholarship Program, which is designed to support students from communities disproportionately affected by climate change. Institutions using carbon offsets to meet their carbon neutrality requirements must calculate environmental justice investments according to federal standards. As such, this bill introduces not only a regulatory framework but also a funding mechanism aimed at fostering educational access for underrepresented communities affected by environmental issues. This dual approach could serve as a model for integrating sustainability and social equity in public policy.

Summary

House Bill 729, known as the FUTURE Act, mandates that all public senior higher education institutions in Maryland achieve carbon neutrality with respect to their greenhouse gas emissions. The bill sets specific deadlines for these institutions; they must reach carbon neutrality for Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by January 1, 2025, and for Scope 3 emissions by January 1, 2035. This statutory requirement aims to address climate change impacts by directly involving educational institutions in reducing their carbon footprints through various means, including transitioning to renewable energy and increasing energy efficiency.

Contention

There are notable points of contention surrounding the implementation of the FUTURE Act. Some stakeholders argue that while the initiatives are commendable, the ambitious targets may impose significant financial burdens on institutions that might struggle to meet the deadlines without additional state funding. Additionally, there is concern regarding the reliability and integrity of carbon offset programs, as they can vary widely in effectiveness. Critics argue that relying on these offsets could detract from the institutions' actual reductions in emissions, potentially undermining the bill's environmental objectives.