The Maryland General Assembly has passed the Clean Energy Jobs Act, which will require 50% renewable electricity by 2030 and start the path to 100% clean energy by 2040, according to www.wmar2news.com.
The House and Senate chamber votes provided veto-proof margins with 95-40 in favor in the House and 31-15 in favor in the Senate.
The plan is to change the way electricity is used in the area; for example, the state seeks to increase use of rooftop solar power and utility-scale solar and eventually use ocean-based power.
"This bill now makes Maryland a true national leader in the fight against climate change and in favor of clean energy," says Mike Tidwell, director of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network and CCAN Action Fund. "But great bills don't happen without great leaders. Sen. Brian Feldman and House Del. Dereck Davis will be remembered forever as the true founders of a new energy paradigm in this state to create a prosperous, clean economy."
The bill now moves to Gov. Larry Hogan (R-Md.) for his signature.
