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Maryland Department of the Environment

Archive for September, 2013

MDE, Baltimore City and partners “plug” charging station opening

First curbside station to be placed on a Baltimore Street; Investment in charging stations, knowledge of the benefits of electric vehicles, strategic partnerships mean better air quality for Maryland residents.  (BALTIMORE, MD) September 27, 2013 – Maryland Department of the Environment Deputy Secretary Kathy Kinsey and Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, along with partners from BITH Energy and General  Read the Rest…

U.N. climate panel endorses ceiling on global emissions

The New York Times reports that the world’s top climate scientists have formally embraced an upper limit on greenhouse gases for the first time, “establishing a target level at which humanity must stop spewing them into the atmosphere or face irreversible and potentially catastrophic climatic changes.” The paper reported on the unveiling of the latest  Read the Rest…

Masonville Cove

The Bay Journal‘s Rona Kobell writes about the rebirth of Masonville Cove, once a dumping ground and now turned into one of only 10 Urban Wildlife Refuges in the nation by the Port of Baltimore. MDE oversaw the environmental cleanup of the property, which was a destination for trash and debris going back to the time  Read the Rest…

Lead poisoning cases drop, many cases linked to properties not previously covered by Maryland law

Department of Environment releases 2012 Childhood Lead Registry report; continued reduction in cases shows impact of Maryland’s 1994 law; legislation addresses cases in newer rental units and owner-occupied housing   BALTIMORE, MD (September 24, 2013) – Childhood lead poisoning in Maryland continued to decrease last year, but a significant number of new lead poisoning cases are linked  Read the Rest…

EPA encourages homeowners to care for their septic systems during SepticSmart Week

WASHINGTON – Proper septic system care and maintenance is vital to protecting public health and preserving valuable water resources. During the first-ever SepticSmart Week, September 23-27, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is encouraging homeowners to take action to ensure their septic systems are functioning properly. Nearly one quarter of all American households—more than 26 million  Read the Rest…

Governor O’Malley statement on Environmental Protection Agency’s announcement of a carbon pollution standard for new power plants

ANNAPOLIS, MD  – Governor Martin O’Malley today released the following statement on the Environmental Protection Agency’s announcement of a carbon pollution standard for new power plants: “We in Maryland commend President Obama and the Environmental Protection Agency for taking this important step forward to limit carbon pollution from future power plants.  Power plants are the  Read the Rest…

MDE joins in Day to Serve cleanups

Day to Serve is a collaboration between the governors of Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and the mayor of Washington, D.C., that invites all citizens, faith groups, businesses and community organizations to work together to feed the hungry and heal the planet. MDE employees participated in cleanups at Jenkins Senior Living Community and the Masonville Cove  Read the Rest…

New Bay 101 video looks at air pollution and water quality

    Check out this new video in the Chesapeake Bay Program’s Bay 101 series. In it, MDE’s Randy Mosier explains that air pollution doesn’t just cloud the air we breathe. Airborne pollutants can also harm our waterways, including the Chesapeake Bay, by fueling the growth of harmful algae blooms that create oxygen-depleted dead zones.  Read the Rest…

FNP editorial urges residents to Scoop the Poop

Frederick News-Post editorial: “Unscooped dog poop is a huge, easily preventable assault on people and the environment, so scoop the poop. Your neighbors and Mother Nature are counting on you to answer when doody calls.” Take the Scoop the Poop pledge.