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Friday, Aug. 17, 2007
Greens rally for deeper cuts in carbon dioxide emissions
— Douglas Tallman  

ANNAPOLIS — State lawmakers said Wednesday the cost of adding ‘‘green” practices to government buildings would pay off.
 
‘‘There’s an up front investment and there are savings on the back end,” said Sen. Paul G. Pinsky, who was among about 70 environmental supporters at a rally in front of the State House, calling on Annapolis to do more to combat global warming.

Pinsky proposed legislation during the 2007 General Assembly that would have created an Office of Climate Change. Although the bill never made it out of committee, Gov. Martin O’Malley established a 21-member Climate Change Commission. Pinsky (D-Dist. 22) of University Park is a member.

The supporters represented the Alliance for Global Warming Solutions, who presented O’Malley (D) with more than 5,600 post cards, each from a Marylander calling on the state to do more to address global warming.

The organization is calling on the state to reduce carbon dioxide emissions — which comes from burning fossil fuels — by at least 20 percent by 2020 and by at least 80 percent by 2050.

The Maryland Chamber of Commerce said the issue goes far beyond Maryland’s borders.

‘‘Maryland businesses recognize their environmental responsibilities seriously. But this is clearly an international issue that warrants an international solution,” said Heather Hamilton, the chamber’s vice president for government affairs.

But at the rally, Del. Kumar P. Barve said such comments were just a delaying tactic by opponents. He noted Maryland’s passage of a California-style automobile emissions standard in the 2007 legislative session. Every major reform started at the state level, he said.

‘‘Don’t let any person tell you that what little Maryland does means nothing,” said Barve (D-Dist. 17) of Gaithersburg.

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