Between 2005 and 2022, Maryland reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by a greater percentage than any other state, according to a national study released Wednesday.

The study, which evaluated the federal Environmental Protection Agency’s database of state greenhouse gas inventories, determined that Maryland reduced its globe-warming emissions 36% in the 18-year span. Washington, D.C., took second place, with Maine and New Hampshire close behind.

Per capita, Maryland had the third-most reductions — 42% — behind Washington, D.C., and Georgia.

In Maryland and several other states, many of the reductions have come thanks to the retirement of coal-fired power plants. To achieve further reductions in their carbon footprints, states will have to turn away from fossil fuels in other sectors, such as transportation and building heating and cooling, according to the report, which was released by the Environment America Research & Policy Center, the Public Interest Research Group and Frontier Group.

“It’s time to look towards the next phase of emissions reductions, which will come from powering our homes and buildings with clean, efficient energy, using electric vehicles and making it easier for people to get around by bike and on foot,” said Johanna Neumann, senior director of Environment America Research & Policy Center’s Campaign for 100% Renewable Energy, in a news release.

According to the study, 44 states and the District saw emissions reductions in the study period, whereas six saw increases, with the largest jumps coming in North Dakota (23%), Idaho (20%) and South Dakota (15%). Much of the increases were attributed to oil and gas production, and the agricultural sector, according to the study. Overall, the United States reduced emissions 15% during the time frame.

Maryland has some of the most ambitious climate goals in the nation. The Climate Solutions Now Act, which was passed by the legislature in 2022, requires the state to reduce its emissions 60% by 2031, based on a 2006 baseline. The law also requires that the state reach net-zero status, offsetting its greenhouse gas emissions with reductions, by 2045.

Study signals Maryland’s progress

Last December, the Maryland Department of the Environment released a climate plan, produced in collaboration with climate researchers at the University of Maryland, charting out actions the state could take to meet its deadline. Because the General Assembly’s mandate did not attribute a specific funding source to the plan, MDE suggested potential funding mechanisms to account for a roughly $1 billion shortfall amid a budget crunch, including fees on emission-generating industries.

By curtailing its usage of fossil fuels, and fueling the energy grid increasingly with renewable energy, such as wind and solar, Maryland aims to reduce its output of carbon dioxide and other emissions, which trap heat in the atmosphere, causing the planet to warm.

The state achieved a previous goal ahead of schedule, which required Maryland to cut its emissions 30% by 2020, also based on 2006 levels. According to the MDE analysis, policies already in place in Maryland will reduce emissions 51%, based on 2006 levels, by 2031.

Emily Scarr, senior adviser at the Maryland PIRG Foundation, said the study signaled Maryland’s progress, but also highlighted potential places for improvement.

“Maryland has achieved a lot through the generation sector. There will be a couple more (retirements),” Scarr said. “The key will be looking at what’s next, but also making sure we don’t backslide.”

That backsliding could occur if the state approves new non-renewable power generation, such as natural gas-burning power plants, Scarr said. Maryland has two remaining coal-burning plants, Brandon Shores and H.A. Wagner, both of which have announced planned retirement dates. But the energy grid operator that includes Maryland, PJM Interconnection, has compelled the plants to continue operating longer than anticipated because of concerns that the grid could be less reliable without their power. Retirements have included the C.P. Crane plant in Baltimore County, in addition to numerous others.

Building on energy standards

Scarr said Maryland can make improvements particularly in the commercial buildings sector, which saw a 23% increase during the study period, according to a news release from Maryland PIRG.

Maryland is in the process of implementing Building Energy Performance Standards, mandated by the 2022 climate bill. MDE proposed the regulation earlier this year, which will require buildings 35,000 square feet and larger to efficiently achieve net-zero direct greenhouse gas emissions by 2040.

At hearings, some impacted building owners have continued to voice opposition to some of the requirements, Scarr said. Building owners should prepare to submit initial emissions data to the state next year, according to MDE’s website.

“That is a promising policy that could turn the tide on some of this growth we’ve seen,” Scarr said.

As of 2022, Maryland had seen a 4% decrease in the residential sector, according to PIRG’s release.

This summer, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, a Democrat, signed an executive order requiring his administration to promulgate a regulation that all newly installed heating and cooling equipment eventually be electric.

One area for improvement will be encouraging Marylanders to embrace heat pumps by providing additional financing when it comes time to replace heating and air conditioning systems, Scarr said.

With former President Donald Trump’s reelection, many in the environmental community are bracing for a rollback of the nation’s climate commitments. Scarr said that Wednesday’s study is evidence that individual state policies can drive change.

“Whatever the national goal is, the states are the ones that have the power to deliver,” Scarr said. “That will become, likely, even more important.”

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