Maryland's plan is to achieve its near-term climate goals and place the state on a path to achieve net-zero emissions by 2045. New policies will transition the state from the fossil fuel era of the past to a clean energy future. Marylanders will benefit from cleaner air, improved public health, lower energy costs, and more jobs with higher wages.
As detailed in the plan, new policies will generate up to $1.2 billion in public health benefits, $2.5 billion in increased personal income, and a net gain of 27,400 jobs between now and 2031 as compared with current policies. Average households will save up to $4,000 annually on energy costs. Air quality and public health outcomes ill improve for everyone, especially people living in historically underserved and overburdened communities.
Maryland has already reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions - also called climate pollution - faster than almost any other state, achieving a 30% reduction in statewide GHG emissions from 2006 levels by 2020. The Climate Solutions Now Act (CSNA), passed into law in 2022, advances the most ambitious GHG reduction goals of any state in the nation.
The law requires Maryland to reduce statewide GHG emissions 60% from 2006 levels by 2031 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2045 but does not outline a dedicated funding source to implement the plan. The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) is responsible for producing the plan to achieve the state’s GHG reduction goals but achieving the goals will require a whole-of-government approach.
Click here to view the pdf version of this plan and here for the online version.
For list of appendices click here. 