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Let’s Talk About Residential Composting in Maryland
In the summer of 2021, I began working with Clean Water Action as an intern to help with some of their policy research projects, primarily concerning Maryland’s Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard, trash incineration, and waste disposal in general. As I delved deeper into our current waste management systems, I learned more about alternatives and better solutions to the systems that we have now, which reminded me of the feasibility and simplicity of sorting waste during my time studying abroad in Lucca, Italy.
Rewind three years to the summer of 2019, when I had the opportunity to travel to
HB1765: Septic Stewardship Plans
Pollution from septic systems is an ongoing issue in local Maryland streams and rivers, the Chesapeake Bay, and in wells. Last summer, we participated in a summer working group to identify the problems and possible solutions for moving forward. HB1765 is a result of collaboration among stakeholders and has passed the House of Delegates. This bill has passed both the House and Senate!
The Problem:
There are two types of pollution associated with septic systems: nitrogen and bacteria.
Nitrogen is a nutrient pollutant - a fertilizer for plants that can cause algae blooms and deadzones in our
Baltimore City and basement sewage back-ups
Two years ago, as Baltimore City renegotiated its agreement with the EPA to repair faults and design flaws in its sewage system, residents spoke out and organized because their neighborhoods had a chronic sewage problem: at times the system designed to collect and pipe sewage to treatment plants would fail, causing raw sewage to overflow into their homes. As a result of these protests and comments submitted by advocacy groups, the final consent decree was revised to include requirements that Baltimore develop programs for basement backups caused by problems in city-owned infrastructure. Under
Complete Streets and clean air in Baltimore
If not for the snow, the Baltimore City Council would have held a hearing today on the Complete Streets ordinance, a bill that would help Baltimore ensure that roads are designed with the safety and wellness of all people in mind. Transportation planning that prioritizes public transit, bicycle, and pedestrian uses helps people stay healthier, air stay cleaner, and the climate stay cooler. Read our testimony below, and click here to send your own comments to the Council. Thanks to this snowstorm, it's not too late!
Bill: Baltimore City Council Bill 17-0102 – Complete Streets
Committee
Maryland's Legislative Update: Crossover is Coming
An important date is coming up on Monday in Maryland’s legislative session: crossover! At crossover, bills have to pass through one of the chambers and make it over to the other chamber. Bills that have not made it through one chamber by Monday will be effectively done for this year (of course, there are always exceptions to the rule).
Here is the status of our priority bills:
Forest Conservation Act: Maryland is losing forest, and HB766/SB610 are trying to stem this tide. Last night, the Senate Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs voted a compromise bill out, and that will be hitting