Clearing the air
When the Natural Resources Defense Council released its annual “Toxic 20” report on air pollution, the Washington Post highlighted Maryland’s “big drop in air pollution.”
The article reported on an 88 percent decrease in a single year in toxic emissions from power plants in the state – and noted that MDE and the NRDC attributed the dramatic improvement to the Maryland Healthy Air Act. That law, the toughest power plant emission law on the east coast, required reductions in air pollution by 2010. The NRDC report compared 2010 emissions to 2009 data.
With the reductions, Maryland moved down to 19th on the list of states, compared to fifth the year before. With additional reductions expected when 2011 numbers are considered, Maryland is no longer expected to be on the list of 20 states.
The Post quoted John Walke, associate director of NRDC’s climate and clean air program, as saying, “This is what can happen when you have strong state leadership.”
Even as emissions from in-state source are being lowered, Maryland is working to reduce pollution that comes from upwind states. But in August, as The Post also reported, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia vacated the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR), which addresses air pollution from power plants that contributes to unhealthy air in downwind states.
Maryland was among a group of states that intervened in the court case to defend the rule. MDE Secretary Robert M. Summers issued a statement in which he described the ruling as “very disappointing,” adding: “The court decision deals a significant blow to our ongoing efforts to improve the quality of our air in Maryland.”
The Baltimore Sun agreed, and in an editorial called on EPA to appeal the decision. The newspaper stated: “"The real consequence of the ruling is this: hundreds, if not thousands, of premature deaths from dirty air as polluting power plants are kept in service. ... Maryland has put its regulations where its mouth is with some of the strictest air pollution rules on the East Coast. But how much good do they do if the majority of the problem originates elsewhere? Only federal intervention can make a difference."
Both EPA and Maryland have since filed appeals to the court’s decision.
Erasing lead poisoning
The Baltimore Sun reported on the release of MDE’s annual Maryland Childhood Lead Registry Annual Surveillance Report, which showed that fewer children were poisoned by lead-based paint in 2011 than in any year since surveying began nearly two decades ago.
Overall, the results represent a decrease of more than 98 percent in the percentage of young children reported to have lead poisoning since 1993, the year before Maryland’s Reduction of Lead Risk in Housing Law was enacted. At the same time, the report shows a rise in the number of cases linked to newer rental properties and owner-occupied homes, which were not previously covered by state law. The Sunarticle discusses how Maryland is addressing the issue with new laws.
MDE Secretary Robert M. Summers is quoted in the article, pointing out that lead poisoning is completely preventable and adding: “Maryland has made significant gains to protect our children, particularly those who live in older rental housing. But we must do more. Childhood lead poisoning can occur in any housing built before 1978.”
Clean Water Act turns 40
The Frederick News-Post was there when MDE Secretary Robert M. Summers marked the 40th anniversary of the landmark Clean Water Act by visiting with elementary school students to sample water quality.
About 40 fifth-grade students from Parkway Elementary School participated in the outdoor lesson in Frederick’s Baker Park. The newspaper reported that Secretary Summers used water from Carroll Creek to demonstrate tests for water temperature, acidity, dissolved oxygen and clarity.
Aidan Carney, 10, was impressed that the head of the state Department of the Environment traveled to Frederick to teach the students, according to the News-Post article.
"It's easier to learn this way," Aidan said, according to the newspaper. "What you take away from this is what you need to do to keep the world clean. ... That's all going to come together to create a nice world or a not-nice world. Hopefully a nice world."
October 18 marked the 40th anniversary of the Clean Water Act, landmark legislation that has been instrumental in improving the health of rivers, lakes, and coastal waters.
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