Maryland Governor Larry Hogan unveils plan to achieve 100 percent clean electricity by 2040

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan announced Tuesday legislation, the Clean and Renewable Energy Standard (CARES), that establishes a plan for getting Maryland to 100 percent clean electricity by 2040.

Hogan plans to submit CARES on the first day of the upcoming legislative session.

“Our CARES legislation is a cleaner, smarter, and cheaper plan that protects Maryland jobs,” Hogan said. “CARES will deliver on the promise of 100% clean electricity by 2040. It is a balanced and bold strategy that underscores our commitment to aggressively address climate change while setting an example of strong environmental leadership.”

CARES would build upon Maryland’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) and increase the RPS requirement of 50 percent by 2030 to 100 percent clean electricity by 2040. It would also expand the eligibility of credits for clean energy resources while eliminating the eligibility of these credits and subsidies for certain “controversial” energy resources such as burning municipal solid waste to produce energy.

The plan would make combined heat and power systems and advanced nuclear energy facilities, such as small modular reactors, eligible for clean energy credits. It would also provide incentives for carbon capture, utilization, and storage.

“Governor Hogan’s historic push for clean, homegrown energy is at the heart of our comprehensive climate strategy and serves as a model for other states looking to green and grow their economies,” Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) Secretary Ben Grumbles said.