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Alan Cohen & Constance Boyce sign up a new supporter at the Towson Spring Festival, May 2008

(posted 5-9-08):
Sign the Petition for rationale, democratic development in Maryland:
When citizens, business leaders and local officials work together to develop a plan for how their community should grow, we all expect that it will be followed. But recently the state's highest court gave local governments free reign to disregard these plans when they conflict with what a developer wants. The ruling imperils our communities' right to choose their future, and we must fight back.
Tell your state and local representatives that we need our comprehensive plans to be enforced by our elected officials and not violated at the whim of a developer.
Comprehensive development plans are one of the most important ways for citizens to participate in decisions about their communities' future, with major implications for the climate and environment.  By a 2-1 margin Marylanders support requiring local governments to follow their comprehensive plans for development.   4 in 5 Marylanders believe the public does not have enough input over development in their communities.
Sign the online petition from 1000 Friends of Maryland calling for full enforcement of comprehensive development plans at: https://www.thedatabank.com/dpg/308/personal2.asp?formid=petition

 


(updated 4-12-2008): 
WRAP-UP OF 2008 MD GENERAL ASSEMBLY SESSION:

1. By 2022, Maryland will be required to get 20 percent (up from a previous target of 9.5 percent) of its total electricity from wind, solar and other renewable sources.

2. The legislature set an impressive statewide energy efficiency target to reduce electricity use 15 percent per capita by 2015 by passing Gov. O'Malley's "EmPower Maryland" initiative.

3. The Strategic Energy Investment Fund also passed after heated debate. The Fund will allocate funds from the upcoming sale of power plant "carbon allowances" to the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA). MEA is directed to use the funds to assist low-income ratepayers and to provide energy-efficiency services.

4. New or renovated state buildings and schools are also now required to meet strict energy-efficiency standards.

The MD Global Warming Solutions Act of 2008 was killed in Committee in the MD House of Delegates, after having passed on the senate floor with an unacceptable weakening ammendment.   Lobbyists for some of the state's most-polluting industries convinced Maryland's United Steelworkers Union to oppose the bill. Steelworkers were bused in during critical votes and, frankly, repeated widely untrue claims about the bill concerning jobs and energy cost increases. 

See the summary of achievements of the MD 2008 General Assembly Session HERE