Bill Positions

Bill Number: SB 529

Bill Title: Environment - Environmental Justice Review - Public Service Companies

Bill Sponsor(s): Sen. Harrington

Subject: Environment & Energy

Committee: EHE

Bill Summary: This bill would have required that before construction of a new plant or expansion of an existing plant, a public service company (electric plant, gas plant, natural gas plant, and water plant) must conduct an environmental justice review. If the Department of the Environment determined that a proposed action would disproportionately affect an environmentally stressed community, the applicant or ownerwould have been required to satisfy a series of requirements before receiving the permit or commencing the proposed action.

History: This bill died without a vote in the Education Health & Environment Committee.

Chamber Position: Oppose

Position Summary: The Maryland Chamber opposed this bill because an environmental justice review requirement for all initial permits and permit renewalswas a very broad application that could put into jeopardy sites currently in operation when permits are to be renewed or when permit modification applications are submitted. The 1 mile radius requirement was expansive for densely populated areas such as Baltimore City and Hyattsville, MD. The requirement to review all properties for one year before DSP is required to map environmentally stressed areas was not practical and got ahead of the intended goal. If reviews are to be done, they should be limited to designated areas that are truly environmentally stressed. Additionally, this bill would have added yet another step in the permit application process, which would have increased permit issuance time tables, as well as permitting costs for additional resources, such as technical consultants.

Position Statement: Click here (pdf)

Chamber Staff: Allyson Black

General Assembly: Click here to view the bill on the Maryland General Assembly's website.