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…

States, industry urge Supreme Court to dump air pollution rule

The federal “good neighbor” rule, part of the Clean Air Act, imposes strict pollution limits on upwind states, as their smog and fine particles travel to the East Coast downwind states, including Maryland.

Eagle Harbor activists hope federal aid will help boost environmental restoration

James Crudup has vivid memories of traveling to Seagull Beach in Charles County, Maryland, during his teenage years. “I remember that water being just as clear as if we were in Florida…that’s the way it was back then,” Crudup said.…

Federal government’s “waters” definition stirs homebuilders, farmers; awaits Supreme Court decision

It’s been a years-long effort by the federal government to define what constitutes “waters” for regulatory purposes.

Justices considering extent of federal power to protect wetlands

The Supreme Court is currently deciding a case which may determine the future of wetlands around the Chesapeake Bay and across the country.

Clean Bus Program awards almost $1 billion for clean buses across the U.S.

As of June 2022, Maryland had the second highest percentage of electric bus commitments in the country, according to the World Resources Institute

Maryland needs to do more to enforce anti-lead laws, advocates say

Advocates are calling on Maryland leaders to boost spending on anti-lead programs and improve enforcement.

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.

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…

Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania fight clean water rollback

WASHINGTON – The Environmental Protection Agency revoked two regulations last month dealing with clean water and air that present conflicting positions from the Trump Administration over the role states should play in protecting their own natural resources. The first came…