EPA tightens air quality standard for the first time in 12 years

WASHINGTON- The Environmental Protection Agency announced a new standard for air quality aimed to reduce pollution. The agency predicts this strengthened standard will prevent up to 4,500 premature deaths and avoid an estimated 800,000 cases of asthma symptoms. It targets…

Too much light threatens environment and health, studies show

Although it may not garner the same popular attention as other forms of environmental degradation, light pollution has far-reaching impacts for Earth’s ecosystems and human health.

Maryland House examines bill to cut packaging waste, shift costs onto producers

HB 284 would prohibit producers of packaging materials from selling or distributing their materials unless the producer has an approved producer responsibility plan.

Maryland installs more litter traps to protect water and sewer systems

Trash in waterways is hazardous for people, wildlife and the environment. Montgomery County releases its first litter trap in the Lockridge Drive Tributary adding on to the other seven traps in the Anacostia watershed. The traps will capture trash from going into the Chesapeake Bay and help mitigate the environmental impact.

Proposed Chesapeake Bay funds aim to curb pollution

As much as $737 million in proposed funding expected to be included as part of the budget reconciliation package being negotiated in Congress would be used toward reducing pollution in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

‘Critters in crisis’: Pollution is reducing wildlife populations in Montgomery County streams

Certain insects, fish, and amphibians are now considered at-risk in Montgomery County Streams. Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection and Montgomery Parks blame pollution. County officials say residents can play a crucial role in preventing pollution in local streams.

Chesapeake Bay area lawmakers urge EPA to enforce pollution standards

Pennsylvania and New York fell short in meeting their pollution reduction goals to reduce Chesapeake Bay pollution sources by 2025. Lawmakers are pushing the Billion for the Bay Initiative to obtain more federal funding for Bay cleanup.

Covid-19 has decreased Maryland’s air pollution

In the early months of the coronavirus pandemic, as stay-at-home orders took effect and more commuters worked from home or lost their jobs, air pollution dropped markedly in Maryland, according to a recent report from the University of Maryland and the state’s Department of the Environment.

Cardin and Van Hollen aim for net-zero greenhouse gases by 2050

WASHINGTON — A bill aimed at achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in the United States by no later than 2050 has been introduced by Maryland Democratic Sens. Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen. The United States produced 16% of the…

Bills would update Maryland’s forest conservation law

Maryland’s forest conservation law has failed to protect some of the state’s best forests, scientists and environmentalists say.