{"id":5787,"date":"2021-01-20T15:22:47","date_gmt":"2021-01-20T20:22:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/waterkeeperschesapeake.org\/?p=5787"},"modified":"2021-02-04T11:45:21","modified_gmt":"2021-02-04T16:45:21","slug":"our-2021-clean-water-legislative-priorities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/waterkeeperschesapeake.org\/es\/our-2021-clean-water-legislative-priorities\/","title":{"rendered":"Nuestras prioridades legislativas de agua limpia para 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"

Maryland and Virginia\u2019s 2021 General Assemblies convened on January 13 under very unusual and stressful circumstances due to the necessary COVID safety protocols, and the unprecedented security precautions due to the threats to state capitols following the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on January 6th. Pennsylvania\u2019s House and Senate meet at various times during the course of the year, with both chambers reconvening January 25. Lawmakers and policy advocates like Waterkeepers Chesapeake continue with the work of passing laws that protect and support the health and livelihoods of our residents despite these constraints. Our gratitude goes out to the lawmakers, their staff, and those who protect them at the U.S. and state capitals.<\/span><\/p>\n

Our legislative priorities include:<\/span><\/p>\n

MARYLAND<\/b><\/h3>\n

Climate Adaptation<\/b> (<\/span>SB 227<\/span><\/a>\/<\/span>HB 295<\/span><\/a>) – Maryland and the region are experiencing more climate-driven extreme storms and flooding. This bill increases community resilience and mitigates urban and coastal flood impacts by adapting Maryland’s stormwater design standards and imposing climate-smart criteria on private-sector development to help Maryland meet existing climate pollution load requirements by 2025.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Conowingo Dam, May 2019. Photo credit: John Pavoncello<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Conowingo Dam Emergency Legislation <\/b>(<\/span>HB 427<\/span><\/a>)<\/span> – <\/b>Conowingo Dam threatens the health of the Bay. Without legislative intervention, Maryland will forfeit its rights under the Clean Water Act and billions of dollars over the next 50 years. This Emergency Bill prevents Maryland from entering into such a settlement, including the current one between MDE and Exelon before FERC. [More about Conowingo Dam <\/span>here<\/span><\/a>.]<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Citizen Intervention<\/b> (<\/span>SB 334<\/span><\/a>\/<\/span>HB 76<\/span><\/a>) – Ensures Maryland citizens have the right to intervene and participate in Clean Water Act cases brought by the state, a concept that has been misinterpreted by our courts. Under this bill, citizens, cities and counties<\/span> can intervene in state court, leading to cleaner water through stronger enforcement and penalties.<\/span><\/p>\n

Well Water Contaminant Testing<\/b> – Provides funding for testing private wells. Nitrate contamination is widespread in private drinking wells along Maryland’s Eastern Shore, and health-threatening contaminants often go untested. The funding formula for the program represents a small percentage-based fee on home sales<\/span> for properties with a private well.<\/span><\/p>\n

PFAS Protection Act <\/b>(<\/span>SB 195<\/span><\/a>\/<\/span>HB 22<\/span><\/a>)<\/span> – <\/b>This bill restricts the use and disposal of toxic PFAS chemicals. Stops the use of PFAS in firefighting foam, food packaging, and in rugs and carpets. Protects our air and water by banning the mass disposal of these chemicals by incineration and landfilling.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Other bills:<\/b> Environmental Enforcement Reporting (<\/span>SB 324<\/span><\/a>\/<\/span>HB 204<\/span><\/a>),<\/span> CoastSmart Bill (<\/span>HB 512<\/span><\/a>), Climate Omnibus Bill (<\/span>SB 414<\/span><\/a>\/<\/span>HB 583<\/span><\/a>), Plastic Bag Reduction Act (HB 314<\/a>\/SB 223<\/a>), and Prohibit Chemical Conversion of Plastic (HB 021<\/a>)<\/span><\/p>\n

Fair Farms Campaign<\/b><\/a> Priorities:<\/b><\/p>\n

Food Donation Tax Credit Program Extension \u2013 <\/b>This bill would extend the Food Donation Tax Credit Program, which is set to end at the close of 2021. The program allows farmers to receive credit when donating to certified food banks and food pantries. This important program not only values farmers, but also ensures that food-insecure Marylanders have access to fresh, locally-grown food. Take Action!<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>RGGI Funds for Maryland\u2019s Healthy Soils Program <\/b>(<\/span>HB8<\/span><\/a>) \u2013 This bill would allow Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) funds to be used for the Maryland Healthy Soils Program, encouraging and supporting farmers in their journey to build soil health and sequester carbon. <\/span>Take Action!<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

Urban Agriculture Grant Program <\/b>(<\/span>HB269<\/span><\/a>)- Supporting urban agriculture is an important part of building a resilient food system that promotes food sovereignty. This bill would establish an Urban Agriculture Grant Program and Fund housed within the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA). <\/span>Take Action<\/b><\/a>!<\/span><\/p>\n

Other bills<\/b>: Workplace Housing, Inspection, and Registration for H-2 and Migrant Workers, Food Waste Diversion Bill (<\/span>HB264<\/span><\/a>), and Pollinator Protection Act Update.<\/span><\/p>\n

VIRGINIA<\/b><\/h3>\n

Budget PFAS Amendment <\/b>(<\/span>Item 307 #2h<\/span><\/a>), providing $60,000 each year to the Virginia Department of Health for the two-year study of PFAS contamination within Virginia drinking water required by 2020 legislation. This would allow VDH to conduct multiple sample rounds at each location with room to use a new, EPA-validated test that detects 11 additional types of PFAS contamination.<\/span><\/p>\n

Bills and Budget Amendments<\/b> to restore funding for stormwater and wastewater infrastructure and agricultural cost share programs.<\/span><\/p>\n