Maryland governor creates task force to develop more solar, wind projects
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan launched several new initiatives to promote clean and renewable energy projects in the state.
Among them, Hogan established the Governor’s Task Force on Renewable Energy Development and Siting, which will work to develop recommendations on the siting of new solar and wind energy projects in the state. The task force will include key stakeholders from state agencies along with representatives of Maryland’s agriculture community, local government, as well as the solar and wind energy sectors.
The Maryland Department of General Services, along with the Maryland Environmental Service, will conduct an assessment and inventory of state properties that could be utilized for solar energy.
Toward that end, the governor is pledging an additional $4 million in grants to aid large public institutions, including colleges and universities, to deploy solar arrays on existing infrastructure—such as parking lots and rooftops.
“In my most recent State of the State address, I pledged my strong support for clean and renewable energy solutions that are affordable, reliable, and produce jobs right here in Maryland,” Hogan said. “That is exactly what these announcements will help us to achieve. These innovative initiatives will provide millions of dollars in benefits to Marylanders and lower energy and maintenance costs, all while creating clean energy and green jobs opportunities.”
Hogan also outlined a plan to set the state on a path to have 100 percent clean electricity by 2040. He will submit the Clean and Renewable Energy Standard (CARES) plan to the state General Assembly on the first day of the 2020 legislative session.
