Maryland Lawmakers OK Greenhouse Reduction Bill

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- The Maryland General Assembly has passed what supporters are calling one of the most ambitious greenhouse gas reduction requirements set by a state legislature.

The House voted 97-39 for the measure Wednesday, sending it to Republican Gov. Larry Hogan.

The measure sets a new 40 percent greenhouse gas reduction target for 2030. It builds on a 2009 state law, which required Maryland to reduce emissions 25 percent by 2020 from 2006 levels.

Supporters cited powerful storms in recent years as evidence climate change was being felt in a state with a large amount of coastline. Sen. Paul Pinsky, a Prince George's County Democrat who sponsored the bill, says the bill puts Maryland at the forefront of state action.

Opponents say it's a government mandate that threatens to hurt businesses.

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