A list of hits and misses as perceived by "Environmentalists" at the Crab Wrapper
Environmental activists defeated a last-minute push by some state lawmakers to delay stormwater fees that will pay for Chesapeake Bay pollution projects.On this one, I'm of mixed opinion. Stormwater is the most expensive and least effective way to ameliorate the Bay's problems. So spending a lot of money on it is wasting money that could be better spent elsewhere. On the other hand, it's not my money because the law is targeted at the urban counties, who indeed, have the greater stormwater runoff problems. They vote blue, and the deserve to pay the price of their own folly.
On the last day of the General Assembly session, some legislators attempted to put off the new fees until 2015. The measure passed the state Senate but was not considered in the House of Delegates.
So, the stormwater fees — dubbed a “rain tax” by some — will be collected this summer, as scheduled.
While environmentalists were relieved the challenge to the stormwater fees failed on the legislature’s sine die day, they scored their biggest victory early in the 90-day General Assembly session: approval of a bill designed to boost the chances of a wind farm off the coast of Ocean City.Wind power is the most highly subsidized, least reliable forms of power generation we have. It's not even particularly environmentally friendly when you consider the bird and bat kills associated with it, and the energy costs of making and repairing the turbines compared to the power generated. A definite loss for common sense energy production.
It was a top priority of Gov. Martin O’Malley, who planned to sign the bill on Tuesday.
The bill requires utility companies to sell electricity generated from offshore wind farms, and sets up a program for utility customers to pay more to subsidize wind farms after they’re built.
Other environmental bills passed in Annapolis this year include measures creating a task force to study increasing pesticide reporting and requiring the Maryland Department of the Environment to issue annual reports on sewage spill fines.Yes on pesticide reporting, and on requiring MDE to come clean on pollution
Another legislation enacted will require the MDE to report on how money is spent from the Maryland Clean Water Fund and establish a small tax credit for recycling oyster shells.Yes on forcing MDE to report on the clean water fund (why not?), and a big Meh! on the tax credit for oyster shed recycling. Anything to reduce taxes, but it's kind of, well, trivial.
The measure from Sen. Thomas “Mac” Middleton, D-Charles, creates a voluntary program exempting participating farmers from new water pollution laws, in exchange for more oversight on how they are fighting water pollution.I think this is sensible. If you think it's right, you should be able to commit to a consistent set of rules for 10 years.
Environment-related bills that died during the session include measures putting a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing for natural gas in Western Maryland, increasing penalties for sewage spills and enacting a 5-cent fee on paper and plastic bags.I'm pro-fracking, but it's OK with me if Maryland waits a while. It will be worth more later. Increased penalties on municipalities for sewage spills? Go for it! I wonder who lobbied against it.... The bag bill is a stupid infringement on freedom, and a health hazard to boot.
Others that failed would have created a bottle deposit program for recycling bottles and cans, encouraged the governor to hire more Natural Resources Police officers and designated the soft-shell crab sandwich as the state sandwich.Bottle deposit? A pain in the ass for very little gain. More crab cops? That sort of depends on what they end up doing; in theory OK, in practice more problematic. We don't need more desk jockeys.
Making the sof-shell sammy the state sandwich? Now that's a big fucking deal, as Vice Preznit Biden might say.
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