Maryland’s General Assembly passed the Clean Energy Jobs Act in April last year, legislation that would have increased the state’s renewable energy standard by 5% so that a quarter of its energy comes from renewable sources by 2020.
Senator Brian Feldman and Delegate Bill Frick, sponsors of the Maryland Clean Energy Jobs Act, joined with other state lawmakers, business leaders, and advocates, calling for a veto override at the Maryland State House.
American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) CEO Tom Kiernan, representing 1,000 member companies that manufacture, construct, and operate wind turbines in America, signaled his support for the override:
“We are encouraged by Governor Hogan’s intention to promote economic growth and environmental quality as he outlined this week in his 2017 agenda,” he stated. “The Clean Energy Jobs Act is the most effective way for him to meet those goals, creating new jobs in wind power and other industries while attracting hundreds of millions of dollars in new private investment to Maryland.”
Kiernan added: “We strongly support a veto override. It will signal Maryland means business and is committed to job growth while strengthening the state’s energy supply.”
In April 2016, the Maryland General Assembly passed the Clean Energy Jobs Act, legislation that would have increased the state’s renewable energy standard by 5% so that a quarter of its energy comes from renewable sources by 2020. In May 2016, Governor Hogan vetoed the bill.
States representing roughly a quarter of the U.S. population (California, Oregon, New York, Massachusetts, Michigan, Rhode Island, and the District of Columbia) have chosen to raise their renewable energy goals over the past year while adding jobs and investment. California, Oregon, New York, and Hawaii have standards aiming for 50% renewable energy and beyond.
Maryland risks losing jobs and investment in energy sources like wind and solar if the Governor’s veto is permitted to stand. Wind power already supports close to 500 jobs in Maryland and has attracted $380 million in private investment to date.
Filed Under: News, Policy
