February 1, 2017
Maryland

Maryland House overrides Gov. Hogan’s veto of Clean Energy Bill

By John Rydell | WBFF | foxbaltimore.com

The Maryland House of Delegates voted 88-51 to override Governor Larry Hogan’s veto last year of a clean energy bill.

The measure would require the state acquire 25 percent of its power from renewable energy sources like solar and wind power.

The current law mandates that 20 percent of its power come from clean energy by 2022.

During floor debate Tuesday, Montgomery County Delegate William Frick, the bill’s sponsor, said “It is a modest, meaningful

attempt in addressing the profoundly effects of pollution on Maryland’s environment”

But Delegate Herb McMillan, a Republican who represents Anne Arundel County, urged colleagues to sustain the Governor’s veto claiming the bill would result in higher costs to consumers.

“It’s an unfair tax on ratepayers for not using wind, solar and other renewable energy sources that are unavailable in the amounts required by the bill,” said McMillan.

The Maryland Senate has scheduled a similar vote on Governor Hogan’s veto this Thursday.

If the Senate votes to override the veto, the measure would then become law.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2017/02/01/maryland-house-overrides-gov-hogans-veto-of-clean-energy-bill/