“I remain strongly committed to meaningful, innovative, bipartisan, common sense policies and programs that protect our environment in a manner that also promotes job growth and economic opportunity.” -Governor Larry Hogan
OUR PLAN
100% Clean Electricity By 2040
The CARES plan will deliver 100 percent clean electricity by 2040, building upon Maryland’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) and increasing the strategic use of zero- and low-carbon clean and renewable energy sources.
CARES builds upon Maryland’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) to provide a strategy for Maryland to achieve better environmental results through clean energy. It expands the eligibility of credits for clean energy resources to encourage competition and cost-effectiveness for the benefit of Maryland ratepayers. The plan also eliminates the eligibility of these credits and subsidies for controversial energy resources such as “black liquor” and the burning of municipal solid waste to create energy.
“Over the last five years, Maryland has become a national leader in energy efficiency and affordable clean energy measures that prioritize the needs of our citizens and the environment,” said Maryland Energy Administration Director Mary Beth Tung. “CARES will address the carbon elephant in the room by providing a clear path for Maryland’s net-zero carbon future with projects like the combined heat and power system at Baltimore Washington Medical Center.”
CARES is a key component of Maryland’s comprehensive, economy-wide strategy to achieve its climate goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by more than 40% by 2030—a goal that is substantially greater than the commitment to reduce emissions under the Paris Agreement.
CARES embraces Maryland’s clean and renewable energy resources and increases the RPS requirement of 50% by 2030 to 100% clean electricity by 2040. Key elements include:
- Increasing the strategic use of zero- and low-carbon clean and renewable energy sources.
- Recognizing the clean and safe aspects of nuclear energy by making new nuclear energy facilities, such as small modular reactors built utilizing developing technology, eligible for clean energy credits.
- Supporting hydropower, coupled directly with maintaining environmental stewardship.
- Providing incentives for carbon capture, utilization, and storage, making Maryland the first state to do so.
- Encouraging energy-efficient combined heat and power systems by making new facilities eligible for credit
Clean, homegrown energy
CARES provides the means to vastly enhance the production of low carbon and carbon-free energy in Maryland and highlights the environmental stewardship of the Hogan administration while providing Marylanders with affordable, reliable, and cleaner energy.
OUR BILLS
Learn about the status of our legislation on the Maryland General Assembly website.
(HB 363/SB 265) Clean and Renewable Energy Standard (CARES)
(HB 336/SB 281) Renewable Energy Development and Siting (REDS)|
(HB 359/SB 277) Clean Cars Act of 2020
OUR RECORD
- Committed a historic $5 billion toward wide-ranging bay initiatives—far more than any administration in Maryland history
- Fully funded Program Open Space for the first time in more than a decade
- Fully funded the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund for the first time in state history
- Led a compromise phosphorus management solution to enhance bay health
- Invested over $1.8 billion in environmental grants and loans for clean water and drinking water infrastructure projects
- Launched nationally acclaimed programs to accelerate the restoration of streams and wetlands
- Invested over $38 million in energy efficiency, renewable energy, transportation, resiliency, clean energy projects, clean energy workforce and related initiatives via the Strategic Energy Investment Fund in fiscal year 2019.
- Incentivized the installation of over 1,000 new electric vehicle charging stations and alternative fuel sites including direct current fast chargers, and provided $6 million in tax credits for electric vehicle purchases in FY19
- Incentivized over 200 energy storage systems via tax credits, helping improve resiliency and create markets for this burgeoning technology
- Partnered with over 14 counties and municipalities to advance local clean energy initiatives via the Maryland Smart Energy Communities Program
- Incentivized an anticipated 38 MW of solar capacity once all projects are commissioned
- Unveiled the Clean and Renewable Energy Standard, a plan for cleaner, smarter, cheaper energy that will set Maryland on a path to 100% clean electricity by 2040
- Pushed for and enacted clean air standards that are stronger than 48 other states and nearly twice as strong as the Paris Accord recommendations
LATEST NEWS
Governor Hogan Statement on Trump Administration’s Proposed Cuts to Chesapeake Bay Funding
Governor Hogan Recognizes Project to Significantly Reduce Pollution From Patapsco Wastewater Treatment Plant, Advance Chesapeake Bay Restoration
Governor Hogan Again Proposes Major Investments for Maryland Environment, Chesapeake Bay
To Protect Chesapeake Bay, Governor Hogan Directs Attorney General to Pursue Legal Actions Against Pennsylvania and EPA
Governor Hogan Applauds Successful Effort to Boost Federal Funding for Chesapeake Bay
Governor Hogan Unveils Bold Energy Legislation
Governor Hogan Celebrates Maryland’s First National Marine Sanctuary
Governor Hogan Urges Congress to Fully Fund Chesapeake Bay Restoration
Governor Hogan Announces Landmark Agreement with Exelon on Conowingo Dam
Maryland Opens First Fully Converted Gas-to-Electric Refueling Station in the United States
Governor Hogan Calls for Action and Accountability on Pennsylvania’s Clean Water Progress
Governor Hogan Launches New Push for Clean and Renewable Energy
Governor Hogan Renews Commitment to Enhance and Preserve Maryland’s Natural Environment