A crowd of Baltimore voters came to Notre Dame College on Thursday, March 8th to learn about major energy bills facing lawmakers in Annapolis this session. Specifically, attendees and panelists discussed ongoing efforts to pass offshore wind power legislation, and ways to regulate the controversial practice of “fracking” for natural gas in Western Maryland.
Attendees from all over the Baltimore metro region heard from legislators and advocates that momentum for offshore wind power legislation was growing in Annapolis. The Offshore Wind Energy Act (SB 237/HB 441), sponsored by Gov. Martin O’Malley, would incentivize 80 to 100 turbines off the coast of Ocean City while creating 1,500 jobs. But, the audience learned, the bill needs the full support of Baltimore City delegates and senators to pass out of committee and to win passage in the full House and Senate.
The issue of hydraulic fracturing — or fracking — for natural gas in western Maryland was another key topic of the community forum Thursday night. “This controversial drilling method, which has led to flammable drinking water and polluted rivers in Pennsylvania, must be studied carefully before being allowed to occur in Maryland,” said Delegate Heather Mizeur of Takoma Park (D-Dist 20).
“Second chances are very expensive,” Mizeur told the audience. “Before a drill bit is ever put in the ground for fracked gas in our state, we need a common-sense bill that requires careful environmental study and a ‘best practices’ guide for energy corporations.”
Mizeur has introduced a bill (HB 1204/SB 798) requiring that energy companies pay a modest fee to fund such studies by August 2014.
The Chesapeake Climate Action Network, Sierra Club’s Maryland Chapter, Environment Maryland and Clean Currents sponsored the forum.
