On October 13, APGA submitted comments responding to the Maryland Climate Pathway Report. This input will inform the state’s 2031 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Reduction Plan, which the Maryland Department of the Environment will submit to Governor Moore and the General Assembly in late December.
The Maryland Climate Pathway Report, in its current form, aims for a complete elimination of natural gas. The purpose of the comments was to present natural gas and renewable natural gas (RNG), as energy sources needed in the state’s efforts to decrease GHG emissions.
APGA members and the jobs in their communities, as well as the customers they serve are directly and indirectly affected by the proposed pathways. Families and businesses need dependable energy. The natural gas distribution system has proven to be resilient and reliable. Pipeline infrastructure is underground, looped, and shielded from many types of disruptions. Also, local utilities employ individuals to service the infrastructure and are vital to their communities, given their focus on providing their friends and family affordable and reliable energy.
APGA’s comments urge the state to continue to use the gas infrastructure and the skilled workforce that operates it. This will allow Maryland to reach their GHG reduction goals while also continuing to allow gas utilities to provide affordable and reliable energy.
View APGA’s comments here.
APGA continues to work on this issue and will inform members of any actions by the Maryland Department of the Environment.
For questions on this article, please contact Sydney Freed of APGA staff by phone at 202-464-0834 or by email at sfreed@apga.org.