Skip to Content Accessibility Information

Maryland Department of the Environment

Archive for February, 2014

Capital Gazette: Report: Bay cleanup shows promise; more work and monitoring ahead

Data gleaned from scores of scientific studies indicate elements of the Chesapeake Bay cleanup plan are working. A report issued Tuesday showed efforts over the past 30 years have reduced pollution, lowered nutrients and slowed sediment in local waterways but more vigilance, hard work and monitoring lies ahead. Read the entire article.

WMAR: Runoff a concern as snow begins to melt across Maryland

As temperatures begin to rise and rain moves into the area, the piles of snow are starting to melt. The problem is a lot of that snow is loaded with salt and ice melt used to clear roads and sidewalks, and as it all melts that stuff is carried right into the bay and its  Read the Rest…

WJZ: Storm Aftermath: Road Salt Finds Its Way Into Md. Waterways

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — First comes snow, then comes salt. But unlike snow, that salt doesn’t go away. Alex DeMetrick reports it’s moving right now into our water, and it will stay there for decades. It was only a week ago when the struggle to keep moving fell to the frontline efforts of hundreds of trucks, plowing  Read the Rest…

Governor O’Malley Announces $20 Million in Cold Weather Energy Bill Assistance

Annapolis, Md. — Governor Martin O’Malley today announced the release of an additional $20 million to help lower-income Marylanders pay high utility bills resulting from recent extreme winter weather. Working together, the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA), the Department of Human Resources (DHR) and the Public Service Commission (PSC) will administer the benefit.  The $20 million in  Read the Rest…

WYPR: Stormwater Rules: Tues. Feb. 18, 12-1 p.m.

Maryland’s 10 largest jurisdictions are required by law to enact a storm water fee as a way to mitigate pollution of the Chesapeake Bay. We take a look at how Baltimore and the counties are implementing the law and what grants and incentives are available to homeowners. Our guests: Robert Summers, secretary of the Maryland  Read the Rest…

Baltimore Sun: Maryland ranked second in green building activity

Maryland jumped to second place last year in a ranking of environmentally-friendly building activity. In 2013, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) said it approved 119 commercial or institutional projects in Maryland for certification under Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design or LEED standards, a total of 12.7 million square feet. That represents 2.2 square  Read the Rest…

Governor O’Malley Issues Statement on the Environmental Protection Agency’s Defense of the Chesapeake Bay TMDL

MEDIA CONTACTS: Nina Smith 410-974-2316 For Immediate Release ANNAPOLIS, MD (February 12, 2014) — Governor O’Malley issued the following statement today on Maryland’s amicus brief to the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit: “As we continue to make great strides in restoring and protecting the Chesapeake Bay, it is critical that we protect  Read the Rest…

Board of Public Works Approves Funding For Clean Water and the Chesapeake Bay

MEDIA CONTACTS: Samantha Kappalman samantha.kappalman@maryland.gov Jay Apperson jay.apperson@maryland.gov FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Board of Public Works Approves Funding For Clean Water and the Chesapeake Bay Grants and loans will reduce pollution, improve wetlands   BALTIMORE, MD (February 5, 2014) – The Maryland Board of Public Works approved more than $35 million in funding today to upgrade sewage  Read the Rest…

Nominations being accepted for the 37th annual Tawes and Coulter Awards for a Clean Environment

MEDIA CONTACTS: Samantha Kappalman samantha.kappalman@maryland.gov Adrienne Diaczok adrienne.diaczok@maryland.gov FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nominations being accepted for the 37th annual Tawes and Coulter Awards for a Clean Environment Tawes Award winner’s favorite non-profit group to receive $250 donation in their name; nomination deadline is April 11 BALTIMORE, MD (February 5, 2014) – Nominations are now being accepted for the  Read the Rest…

WBAL-TV: Officials remind consumers of tax-free weekend

Shop Maryland Energy tax-free weekend from Feb. 15 to Feb. 17 BALTIMORE — Comptroller Peter Franchot on Tuesday reminded Marylanders to take advantage of Shop Maryland Energy tax-free weekend. The annual event allows consumers to make qualifying purchases without paying the state’s 6 percent sales tax on select Energy Star appliances. It begins at 12:01  Read the Rest…