2013 Maryland Code
ENVIRONMENT
§ 2-1209 - Progress report.

§2-1209.

(a) On or before October 1, 2015, the Department shall submit a report to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2-1246 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly that includes:

(1) A summary of the State’s progress toward achieving the 2020 emissions reduction required by the plan under § 2-1205 of this subtitle;

(2) An update on emerging technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions;

(3) A review of the best available science, including updates by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, regarding the level and pace of greenhouse gas emissions reductions and sequestration needed to avoid dangerous anthropogenic changes to the Earth’s climate system;

(4) Recommendations on the need for science-based adjustments to the requirement to reduce statewide greenhouse gas emissions by 25% by 2020;

(5) A summary of additional or revised regulations, control programs, or incentives that are necessary to achieve the 25% reduction in statewide greenhouse gas emissions required under this subtitle, or a revised reduction recommended in accordance with item (4) of this subsection;

(6) The status of any federal program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and any transition by the State from its participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative to a comparable federal cap and trade program; and

(7) An analysis of the overall economic costs and benefits to the State’s economy, environment, and public health of a continuation or modification of the requirement to achieve a reduction of 25% in statewide greenhouse gas emissions by 2020, including reductions in other air pollutants, diversification of energy sources, the impact on existing jobs, the creation of new jobs, and expansion of the State’s low carbon economy.

(b) The report required under subsection (a) of this section shall be subject to a public comment and hearing process conducted by the Department.