Renewable energy included in push for strong, state-wide energy plan for Maryland

Sustainability advocates in Maryland are pushing for a measure that would require the state's Public Service Commission to consider the state's climate and clean energy policies in its long-term comprehensive energy plans, and when assessing applications for individual energy projects. The proposal was among the topics for discussion at an "Earth Forum of Howard County" held yesterday in Columbia, Md., that was packed with more than 100 people.

A comprehensive energy analysis and planning process would put energy efficiency and renewable energy on a level playing field with fossil fuel power plants and new transmission lines to coal country, says the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, one of the advocacy groups pushing for the measure (http://www.chesapeakeclimate.org/). Perhaps most importantly, a comprehensive energy plan for the state would help it shift to energy options more consistent with state environmental policies, says CCAN. The Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act, passed in 2009, calls for a 25% cut in Maryland's carbon emissions by 2020 -- one of the toughest benchmarks in the U.S.

Solar, wind and geothermal energy -- the main focuses of The Solar and Wind Expo, along with electric vehicles -- should be key to helping Maryland cut its greenhouse gases at least 25% by 2020, and much more in future years. The more we can rely on low- or no-emission renewable sources, along with energy efficiency, to provide for our energy needs, the less we'll have to depend on fossil fuels such as coal and oil, which are finite, pollute our air and water and contribute to climate change -- and, of course, will get more and more expensive as they're depleted.

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