ANNAPOLIS, MD (April 17, 2009) - Governor Martin O'Malley issued the following statement today after Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa Jackson announced a proposal confirming the threat of greenhouse gases to the environment:

"We applaud EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson's proposal today confirming the science-proven threat that greenhouse gases pose to our people and our environment, as well as President Obama's pledge to find solutions that create jobs and help our country become energy independent. We are glad to see the EPA is back on the job protecting our air, land, and water and enforcing environmental laws.

"Today's EPA decision comes just days after Maryland passed the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act, committing our State to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 25 percent by 2020. I look forward to signing this bill into law and the environmental and economic benefits that will surely result.

"Maryland is a national leader when it comes to curbing climate change, not only for its importance to the long term health of our environment and our families, but also for the thousands of jobs that a clean energy infrastructure will bring to our State. Thanks to the renewed efforts on the federal level to invest in a clean energy infrastructure, we look forward to reaching our goal of 100,000 Maryland green jobs by 2015."

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