Gov. Wes Moore and legislative leaders have an important, albeit overwhelming, task in the 2025 Maryland General Assembly session that convened last week: navigating a $3 billion budget shortfall while meeting ambitious goals for our environment and climate.
In December, the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) released Agency Climate Planwhich includes 100 priority actions across all state agencies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support a green economy.
A few weeks ago, the governor was re-elected to chair the Chesapeake Bay Program Executive Council and committed to our Shared bay cleaning goals. He also announced his intention to sponsor a “Bay Legacy Bill” that focuses on oyster aquaculture, regenerative agriculture, water quality monitoring and environmental project approvals.
This commitment is valuable and exciting. However, to make meaningful progress on the health of the Chesapeake Bay and the resilience of our communities, they must be backed up with strong action.
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In light of the formidable fiscal challenges ahead, and the uncertainty of environmental policy under the new federal administration, it is more important than ever that Maryland’s budget reflects our commitment to the natural resources of the Bay and our watershed.
Historically, during tight budget years, governors and lawmakers have looked to close deficits by borrowing from or reallocating funding sources that support environmental programs. Doing so again at this critical time for bay cleanup and climate action could jeopardize the fragile progress we’ve made.
Investing in clean water and air is an investment in Marylanders – in our health, our jobs and our way of life Programs such as the Bay Restoration Fund, Program Open Space, the Atlantic and Coastal Bay 2010 Trust Fund, and the Maryland Agricultural Cost Share Program (MACS) are key to maintaining a healthy environment, thriving communities, and the Bay. These environmental programs are smart investments that grow Maryland’s economy.
For example, reducing nutrient runoff from farms is one of the most effective and efficient ways to clean up the bay. Every dollar spent on more conservation practices in the watershed will return, on average, an estimated $1.75, including increased sales and earnings for businesses and workers. Many farmers rely on MACS programs to supplement their own personal investments in environmentally friendly farm practices that reduce soil loss, improve habitat, and increase farm sustainability.
Through MACS, we have made tremendous progress in reducing nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment pollution entering local rivers and streams. We have to keep up the momentum. Fully funding the farm pollution-reduction program would inject $655 million annually into the region’s economy, according to CBF’s 2022 Farm Forward Report. Farm practices supported by these investments are good for the Bay, good for farmers’ bottom lines, and support local food production. More than 30% Marylanders who struggle with food insecurity.
Our bay oyster populations not only improve water quality, they are also part of a culturally and economically important Maryland industry. Each year, Maryland’s seafood industry contributes About $600 million In the economy of the state. The oyster aquaculture industry has contributed almost exclusively $13.3 million in Maryland’s economy in 2023. According to one, since 2012 the industry has grown about 24% per year 2020 CBF Analysis, Record crops hit every year. With sustained support and some smart permitting reforms, that trend continues to grow.
In his new Climate planningMDE says it will advance policies and programs that “maximize positive environmental, economic and human health benefits for Marylanders.” From a public health perspective, protecting air and water quality can save lives and reduce economic stress on families. In the United States, pollution from coal-fired power plants causes an estimated 20,000 heart attacks each year. These plants may like to live downwind Living with a smoker And causes conditions like asthma that cost more than the US economy $80 billion annually.
MDE’s climate plan and commitment to reduce the state’s greenhouse gas emissions by 60% by 2031 and achieve 100% clean energy by 2035, will be a tremendous achievement towards clean air and human health.
We know many difficult budget decisions lie ahead. Investing in solutions like oyster restoration, farm stewardship and climate resilience can’t wait. It’s not only good for the bay and our community, but also financially.
