<section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-101" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Definitions; General Provisions"> <level label="a"> <text>In this title the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>“Air pollution” means the presence in the outdoor atmosphere of any substance that is present in such quantities and is of such duration that it:</text> <level label="1"> <text>May be predicted with reasonable certainty to be injurious to property or to human, plant, or animal life; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Unreasonably interferes with the proper enjoyment of the property of others because of the emission of odors, solids, vapors, liquids, or gases.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>“Council” means the Air Quality Control Advisory Council.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>“Emergency” means:</text> <level label="1"> <text>A condition of such public gravity and urgency that it requires immediate response; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A condition that is predicted to a reasonable degree of certainty to require immediate action to carry out the provisions of this title.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>“Emission standard” means a requirement that limits the quantity, quality, rate, or concentration of emissions from a source.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Emission standard” includes any requirement that relates to the operation or maintenance of a source to assure continuous emission reduction.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>“Person” includes any public or municipal corporation and any agency, bureau, department, or instrumentality of federal, State, or local government.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <text>“Political subdivision” means a county or municipal corporation of this State.</text> </level> <level label="h"> <text>“Regulated emissions” means the actual rate of emissions, in tons per year, of any registered pollutant emitted by a source, to be calculated using criteria consistent with 40 C.F.R. Part 70 (Operating Permit Program).</text> </level> <level label="i"> <text>“Source” means any person or property that contributes to air pollution.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-102" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Definitions; General Provisions"> <text>It is the policy of this State to maintain the degree of purity of the air necessary to protect the health, the general welfare, and property of the people of this State.</text> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-103" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Definitions; General Provisions"> <level label="a"> <text>In addition to the powers set forth elsewhere in this title, the Department may obtain any federal or other funds that are available to this State for purposes that are within the scope of this title.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>In addition to the duties set forth elsewhere in this title, the Department:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Has jurisdiction over emissions into the air and ambient air quality in this State;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Is responsible for monitoring ambient air quality in this State; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Shall coordinate all State agency programs on ambient air quality control.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Department may contract for or otherwise arrange for the use of the facilities and services of appropriate agencies of political subdivisions in carrying out the Department’s monitoring duties under this title.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-103.1" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Definitions; General Provisions"> <text>Subject to § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the Secretary, in conjunction with the Secretary of Transportation, shall furnish a joint report, within 30 days after the date Congress modifies the provisions of the federal Clean Air Act, to the Legislative Policy Committee, the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee, and the House Environment and Transportation Committee outlining the status of changes in the federal Clean Air Act as of that date and all other related and pertinent information.</text> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-103.2" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Definitions; General Provisions"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “ambient air monitoring data” means measured concentrations of air pollutants, including air pollutants for which there are no established ambient air quality standards or emission standards, obtained from an ambient air monitor established by the Department.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>On or before January 1, 2000, and each year thereafter, the Department shall provide public access to all air monitoring data in the State through the Internet.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Ambient air monitoring data provided under this section:</text> <level label="1"> <text>May be in summary form; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Shall include all validated ambient air monitoring data for the 2 most recent calendar years for which data are available.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-104" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Definitions; General Provisions"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in this section, this title does not limit the power of a political subdivision to adopt ordinances, rules, or regulations that set emission standards or ambient air quality standards.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A political subdivision may not adopt any ordinance, rule, or regulation that sets an emission standard or ambient air quality standard less stringent than the standards set by the Department under this title.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The governing body of any political subdivision may ask the Department to adopt rules and regulations that set more restrictive emission standards or ambient air quality standards in that political subdivision.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-105" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Definitions; General Provisions"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In accordance with the rules and regulations adopted by the Department, the Secretary shall advise the Governor when an air pollution emergency exists or is reasonably certain to occur.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>When so advised, the Governor may issue an executive order that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Proclaims an air pollution emergency; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Requires the immediate elimination of specifically identifiable sources of air pollution.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>If a person violates an executive order issued under this section, the Attorney General may sue in a court of appropriate jurisdiction to enforce compliance with the order.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-106" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Definitions; General Provisions"> <level label="a"> <text>A determination by the Department that air pollution exists or that a rule or regulation has been disregarded or violated does not create any presumption of law or finding of fact for the benefit of any person other than this State.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Any proceedings under this title shall be brought by the Department for the benefit of the people of this State.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>No person other than this State acquires actionable rights by virtue of this title.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-107" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Definitions; General Provisions"> <level label="a"> <text>There is a Maryland Clean Air Fund.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Except as provided in § 2–1002(g) of this title, all application fees, permit fees, renewal fees, and funds collected by the Department under this title, Title 6, Subtitle 4 of this article, or received from the Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund under § 9–20B–05(g)(3)(iii) of the State Government Article, including any civil or administrative penalty or any fine imposed by a court under these provisions, shall be paid into the Maryland Clean Air Fund.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to the appropriation process in the annual operating budget, the Department shall use the Maryland Clean Air Fund for:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Activities conducted under this title that are related to identifying, mitigating, monitoring, reducing, and regulating air pollution in the State, including program development of these activities as provided in the State budget; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Providing grants to local governments to supplement funding for programs conducted by local governments that are consistent with this title and the State program.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Subject to Title 10, Subtitle 1 of the State Government Article (Administrative Procedure Act – Regulations), the Department shall adopt rules and regulations for the management and use of the money in the Fund.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>At the end of the fiscal year, the Department shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Prepare an annual report on:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The Maryland Clean Air Fund that includes an accounting of all financial receipts and expenditures to and from the Fund; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Any relevant information regarding the federal approval process, the effectiveness of the permitting program, and any other issues related to the operation of the permitting program established under § 2–401 of this title;</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Provide a copy of the report to the General Assembly, as provided under § 2–1257 of the State Government Article; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Upon request, make the report available to permit holders under this title.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Money deposited into the Fund is not subject to § 7–302 of the State Finance and Procurement Article and may not revert to the General Fund of the State.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-201" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Air Quality Control Advisory Council"> <text>There is an Air Quality Control Advisory Council in the Department.</text> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-202" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Air Quality Control Advisory Council"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>The Council consists of not more than 15 members appointed by the Secretary.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Of the Council members:</text> <level label="i"> <text>1 shall be appointed from a list of 3 qualified individuals who are professional engineers licensed in this State, submitted to the Secretary by the Baltimore section of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>1 shall be appointed from a list of 3 qualified individuals submitted to the Secretary by the Maryland section of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>2 shall be individuals who are employed in a manufacturing or public utility business in this State, each appointed from a separate list of 3 qualified individuals submitted to the Secretary by the Maryland Chamber of Commerce;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>1 shall be a physician;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>1 shall be a member of the Regional Planning Council who is recommended to the Secretary by the Regional Planning Council;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>1 shall be appointed from a list of 3 qualified individuals submitted to the Secretary by the Maryland Association of Counties;</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>4 shall be appointed, 1 from each list, from lists of 3 qualified individuals submitted to the Secretary by:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Council of Governments of Metropolitan Washington;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The President of the Johns Hopkins University;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The President of the Maryland State–D.C. AFL–CIO; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The Chancellor of the University System of Maryland;</text> </level> </level> <level label="viii"> <text>2 shall be public members who represent the community at large; and</text> </level> <level label="ix"> <text>1 shall be a member of the Children’s Environmental Health and Protection Advisory Council who has expertise in pediatric environmental health.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>In making appointments to the Council, the Secretary shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Consider giving appropriate representation to the various geographical areas of this State; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Appoint at least 1 member who is engaged actively in farming and knowledgeable in farm and rural pollutant problems.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The term of a member is 5 years.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The terms of the members are staggered as required by the terms provided for members of the Council on July 1, 1986.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The member who represents the Regional Planning Council serves only so long as the member remains on the Regional Planning Council.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>At the end of a term, a member continues to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>A member who is appointed after a term has begun serves only for the rest of the term and until a successor is appointed and qualifies.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-203" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Air Quality Control Advisory Council"> <text>From among the Council members, the Secretary shall appoint a chairman and a vice chairman.</text> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-204" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Air Quality Control Advisory Council"> <level label="a"> <text>The Secretary of the Environment shall appoint a secretary of the Council.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The secretary of the Council need not be a member of the Council.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-205" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Air Quality Control Advisory Council"> <level label="a"> <text>The Council shall meet at the times and places that the Secretary of the Environment or the chairman determines.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Each member of the Council and the secretary of the Council:</text> <level label="1"> <text>May not receive compensation; but</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Are entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-206" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Air Quality Control Advisory Council"> <level label="a"> <text>Before the Department adopts any rule or regulation under this title, the Department shall submit the proposed rule or regulation to the Council for advice.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Within 30 days after receiving a proposed rule or regulation from the Department, the Council shall give the Department its advice on the proposal by recommending:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Adoption;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Rejection; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Modification.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-301" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Rulemaking"> <level label="a"> <text>The Department:</text> <level label="1"> <text>May adopt rules and regulations for the control of air pollution in this State, including testing, monitoring, record keeping, and reporting requirements; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Shall adopt rules and regulations that establish standards and procedures to be followed whenever pollution of the air reaches an emergency condition.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>In adopting any rule or regulation under this title, the Department shall consider, among other things:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The residential, commercial, or industrial nature of the area affected;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Zoning;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The nature and source of various kinds of air pollution;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The problems of any commercial or industrial establishment that may be affected by the rule or regulation; and</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>The environmental conditions, population density, and topography of any area that may be affected by the rule or regulation.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Any rule or regulation adopted under this title that relates to grain drying operations shall be adopted with the advice and consent of the State Department of Agriculture.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-302" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Rulemaking"> <level label="a"> <text>The Department shall determine and may alter air quality control areas into which this State is divided.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Department shall adopt rules and regulations that set emission standards and ambient air quality standards for each of the air quality control areas in this State.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>Unless a political subdivision requests a more restrictive standard under § 2-104 of this title, the Department shall set ambient air quality standards for pollutants that are identical to the standards for pollutants for which national primary or secondary ambient air quality standards have been set by the federal government.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>To protect the public health, the general welfare, and property of the people of this State, the Department may set State ambient air quality standards for substances for which national ambient air quality standards have not been set by the federal government.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>If the Secretary finds that transportation through the air is a significant factor in the buildup of a pollutant in a substance other than air and that monitoring the substance facilitates control of the pollutant, a State ambient air quality standard may establish a maximum concentration of the pollutant in that substance.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, if national ambient air quality standards are attained in an air quality control area, the Department shall set emission standards for that area based on the goal of achieving emission levels that are not more restrictive than necessary to attain and maintain the ambient air quality standards in that area.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The limitations of paragraph (1) of this subsection do not apply to the extent that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>A political subdivision requests a more restrictive standard under § 2-104 of this title; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>New source performance standards, national prevention of significant deterioration requirements, national emission standards for hazardous pollutants, or any other requirements of the federal Clean Air Act apply.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>For those emissions for which no national ambient air quality standards have been set, the Secretary may set emission standards and requirements for various classes of sources.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-303" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Rulemaking"> <level label="a"> <text>The Department may not adopt any rule or regulation under this title unless the requirements of this section and the Administrative Procedure Act are met.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Before adopting any rule or regulation under this title, the Department shall announce and hold a public hearing on the subject.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A public hearing required under this subtitle may be held using teleconference or Internet–based conferencing technology.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>At least 30 days before the public hearing, the Department shall publish notice of the hearing in a newspaper of general circulation in the area concerned or on the Department’s website.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The notice required under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall state:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The date, time, and place of the hearing; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The purpose of the hearing.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The Department shall publish annually a notice in a newspaper of general circulation to inform the public of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The types of public notices required under this title that are available on the Department’s website; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A phone number or electronic mail address at the Department that a person can contact to arrange for the receipt of future public notices required under this title by first–class mail or electronic mail.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>After the public hearing, the Department may adopt the rule or regulation with or without modification.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-303.1" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Rulemaking"> <text>The Department may not adopt regulations to implement Stage II of the Program for Volatile Organic Emissions Control from gasoline retailing operations unless:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The Department is mandated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Department is unable to find other control strategies; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The Environmental Protection Agency publishes notice in the Federal Register that the State of Maryland is not in compliance with the provisions of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. §§ 7401 through 7602).</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-303.2" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Rulemaking"> <text>In any program implementing the reduction of vehicle miles traveled as a part of the State’s compliance with the federal Clean Air Act the Department shall include provisions to allow, both within Maryland and among Maryland and adjoining states:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The averaging of reductions in vehicle miles traveled between different worksites of the same employer;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The averaging of reductions in vehicle miles traveled between worksites of different employers;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The sale between worksites and employers of credits for reduced vehicle miles traveled; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The greatest degree of flexibility in implementation, giving full consideration to the geographic differences among affected areas, in order to promote the economic and environmental interests of the areas affected.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-303.3" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Rulemaking"> <text>The Department shall conduct inspections as provided in a memorandum of understanding on behalf of and in coordination with other agencies when administering the inspection of gasoline retailing operations under this subtitle.</text> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-304" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Rulemaking"> <text>Each State agency shall consult with the Department before adopting any rule or regulation that relates to ambient air quality control.</text> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-401" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Permits and Registration"> <text>Except as provided in § 2-402 of this subtitle, the Department may adopt regulations that require a permit or registration before a person constructs, modifies, operates, or uses a source that may cause or control emissions into the air.</text> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-402" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Permits and Registration"> <text>The Department may not require a permit or registration for:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Any machinery or equipment that normally is used in a mobile manner;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Any boiler used exclusively to operate steam engines for farm and domestic use;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The construction of a generating station constructed by a person that is required to obtain a certificate of public convenience and necessity under §§ 7–207 and 7–208 of the Public Utilities Article and regulations adopted by the Public Service Commission;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Actual construction of buildings, apart from any possible emission producing machinery housed in the buildings;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Any parking garage; or</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>Any parking lot.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-403" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Permits and Registration"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>The Department, by regulation, shall require and collect a fee for each permit issued under § 2–401 of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>In adopting the regulations under this section, the Department shall consult with industry to determine that the permit fee is reasonable and directly related to the actual cost of the permitting and regulatory activity, and does not exceed a certain dollar amount.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The amount of the fees shall cover:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The reasonable cost of reviewing and acting on the application for the permits;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The reasonable costs incurred in implementing and enforcing the terms and conditions of the permits, exclusive of any court costs or other costs associated with any enforcement actions; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The costs identified in § 502(b)(3) of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Fees assessed and collected under this section shall be used exclusively for the development and administration of the permit program under this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>The fee established under this section may not exceed $200 per ton of regulated emissions.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>For purposes of calculating fees under this section, carbon dioxide emissions shall be excluded.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The fee established under this section may be adjusted to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-404" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Permits and Registration"> <level label="a"> <text>This section applies to the following activities:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Construction of a new source;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Replacement of components of an existing permitted source, if the fixed capital cost of the replacement components exceeds one–half of the fixed capital cost that would be required to construct a new source comparable in process to the existing source; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Modification of an existing permitted source by making a physical or operational change to the source that will result in a significant net increase in emissions of any pollutant from that source.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Before accepting an application for a permit subject to subsection (c) of this section, the Department shall require the applicant to submit documentation:</text> <level label="i"> <text>That demonstrates that the proposal has been approved by the local jurisdiction for all zoning and land use requirements; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>That the source meets all applicable zoning and land use requirements.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Paragraph (1) of this subsection does not apply to any application for a permit to construct at an existing source unless the existing source is a nonconforming use.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Department shall comply with the provisions in subsection (d) of this section before issuing a permit for the activities listed in subsection (a) of this section at:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Any source which is required to obtain a permit to operate under regulations adopted under this subtitle;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Any source which is subject to federal standards under 40 C.F.R. Part 61 (National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants) or 40 C.F.R. 52.21 (Prevention of Significant Deterioration); or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Any source that will, after control, discharge 25 tons or more per year of a pollutant regulated under this title in the areas of Baltimore City designated by the United States Post Office as zip code numbers 21225, 21226, and 21230.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>On receipt of an application for a permit subject to subsection (c) of this section, the Department shall give notice immediately or require the applicant to give notice immediately of the application to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The governing body of each county or municipal corporation in which any portion of the source is located or is proposed to be located;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The governing body of each county or municipal corporation within one mile of the property line of the source or the proposed location of the source;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Each member of the General Assembly representing any part of a county in which any portion of the source is located or proposed to be located; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Each member of the General Assembly representing any part of each county within one mile of the property line of the source or the proposed location of the source.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>In addition to the requirements under paragraph (1) of this subsection, before issuing a permit subject to subsection (c) of this section, the Department shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Comply with the provisions of Title 1, Subtitle 6 of this article; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Conduct any public hearing required by Title 1, Subtitle 6 of this article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>In addition to the requirements under paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection, before issuing a permit to construct a source described in subsection (c)(3) of this section, the Department shall require at the expense of the applicant the preparation of an ambient air quality impact analysis regarding the proposed construction.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>Before issuing a permit for the activities listed in subsection (a) of this section at any source which is subject to federal standards under 40 C.F.R. Part 60 (New Source Performance Standards), the Department shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Comply with the provisions of subsection (d) of this section; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>Electronically post a notice of an application for the permit on the Department’s website in accordance with § 1–602(b)(1) of this article;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Give notice to the chief executive of any county or municipal corporation in which any portion of the source is located or is proposed to be located; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Receive comments from the public on the permit application.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>The provisions of this section do not apply to any permit to construct control equipment on an existing source or to any permit to operate.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-404.1" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Permits and Registration"> <level label="a"> <text>Except for an applicant who elects to proceed under subsection (d) of this section, a final decision by the Department on the issuance, renewal, or revision of an operating permit issued pursuant to Title V of the federal Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 is subject to judicial review by any person who:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Meets the threshold standing requirements under federal constitutional law; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Participated in a public participation process through the submission of written or oral comments, unless an opportunity for public participation was not required by statute or regulation.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Judicial review shall be on the administrative record before the Department and limited to objections raised during the public comment period, unless the petitioner demonstrates:</text> <level label="1"> <text>That the objections were not reasonably ascertainable during the comment period; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>That grounds for the objections arose after the comment period.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Unless otherwise required by statute, a petition for judicial review by a person who meets the requirements of subsection (a) of this section shall be filed with the circuit court for the county in which any party resides or has a principal place of business.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>An applicant for an air quality operating permit may seek judicial review in accordance with Title 10, Subtitle 2 of the State Government Article.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Except for an applicant as described in paragraph (1) of this subsection, a person is not entitled to a contested case hearing regarding Title V operating permits.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-405" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Permits and Registration"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <level label="i"> <text>Whenever the Public Service Commission notifies the Secretary of an application for a certificate of public convenience and necessity under § 7–207 of the Public Utilities Article, the Secretary shall prepare a recommendation in connection with the permit or registration required by this subtitle and the issues the Public Service Commission must consider under § 7–207 of the Public Utilities Article relating to climate change.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The recommendation shall be presented at the hearing required by § 7–207 of the Public Utilities Article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The recommendation shall identify the requirements of all applicable federal and State environmental laws and standards and shall recommend and evaluate various methods and conditions for compliance.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>If a person files an application for an operating permit under this subtitle simultaneously with an application for a certificate, the Department shall consolidate its procedures for the issuance of the operating permit with the Public Service Commission’s proceedings for issuance of the certificate and shall issue the operating permit simultaneously with the certificate unless consolidation would be inconsistent with the procedures set forth in the federal Clean Air Act.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The Department shall incorporate into the initial operating permit the conditions of the certificate which relate to air quality control.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Subject to judicial review as provided under Title 3, Subtitle 2 of the Public Utilities Article, the decision of the Public Service Commission in connection with a certificate of public convenience and necessity or a filing under § 7–206 of the Public Utilities Article is binding on the Secretary.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>When a person that is required to obtain a certificate of public convenience and necessity applies for an operating permit for a generating station under this subtitle, the person shall send a copy of the application, at the time of filing, to the Public Service Commission.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The Department shall consolidate procedures for the issuance of the operating permit with procedures of the Public Service Commission for the approval of the installation of pollution control equipment or a change in the method of operation unless consolidation would be inconsistent with the procedures set forth in the federal Clean Air Act.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>Before issuing an operating permit which requires the installation of pollution control equipment or a change in the method of operation of the generating station or unit to any person required to obtain a certificate of public convenience and necessity, the Secretary shall notify the applicant and the Public Service Commission and request that the Public Service Commission institute a hearing as required by § 7–206 of the Public Utilities Article.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>In addition to the notification, the Secretary shall file the record of the operating permit proceeding and the Department’s reasons for requiring the installation of pollution control equipment or change in method of operation.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <level label="1"> <text>The Commission shall conduct the hearing required by subsection (e) of this section in the manner set forth in §§ 7–205 and 7–207 of the Public Utilities Article.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Department shall incorporate the Commission’s order rendered in accordance with § 7–206 of the Public Utilities Article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (h) of this section, the Secretary shall consult with the Public Service Commission concerning the impact of any operating permit, order or injunction on the supply and cost of electricity in this State before issuing any operating permit, issuing any order, or seeking any injunction under this subtitle that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Significantly impacts the supply of electricity from a generating station owned or operated by any person required to obtain a certificate of public convenience and necessity; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Significantly affects the cost of electricity provided by any person that is required to obtain a certificate of public convenience and necessity.</text> </level> </level> <level label="h"> <level label="1"> <text>The Secretary need not consult with the Commission before issuing an order or seeking an injunction if the Secretary concludes that the delay during consultation could harm public health or the environment.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If the Secretary does not consult with the Commission before the issuance of the order or of the seeking of an injunction, the Secretary shall consult with the Commission as soon thereafter as practicable.</text> </level> </level> <level label="i"> <text>The failure of the Department or the Public Service Commission to comply with this section is not a defense to an action against a person to enforce, to obtain, or to punish for noncompliance with any permit, certificate, order, or injunction.</text> </level> <level label="j"> <text>The Secretary may adopt regulations to carry out the provisions of this section. The Secretary may not require a permit nor require the payment of a permit fee in violation of the federal Clean Air Act.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-406" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Permits and Registration"> <level label="a"> <text>Except as provided in §§ 10–14A–03 and 10–14B–03 of the State Government Article, the owner of an incinerator for the disposal of solid waste as defined in § 7–201 or § 9–101 of this article may not operate or cause the incinerator to be operated unless the owner certifies to the Department that any person operating the incinerator has completed a course of instruction, approved by the Department, in the proper and safe operation of the incinerator.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>An operator of an incinerator who meets the requirements of subsection (a) of this section shall be present at all times the incinerator is in operation.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Department shall adopt regulations to implement the provisions of this section.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The Department shall, at a minimum, conduct quarterly inspections of an incinerator that accepts more than 50 tons per day of special medical waste, as defined in Title 26, Subtitle 13, Chapter 11 of the Code of Maryland Regulations, and may undertake other activities as necessary to determine whether the operation of the incinerator meets the requirements of the air quality permit issued under this title.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The Department shall, at a minimum, require the holder of a permit to incinerate special medical waste that accepts more than 50 tons of special medical waste per day to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Sample stack emissions under normal operating conditions at least one time per year for dioxin and heavy metals, including barium, cadmium, chromium, lead, nickel, mercury, zinc, arsenic, selenium, and vanadium; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Provide the test report to the Department.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>The holder of the permit shall pay the Department for the cost of the inspection and any other activity conducted under subsection (d) of this section.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-501" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Temporary Fuel Variances"> <text>On a case-by-case basis, the Department may grant a temporary fuel variance to any person who is unable to obtain the type of fuel required to comply with any rule, regulation, or order adopted or issued under this title.</text> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-502" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Temporary Fuel Variances"> <level label="a"> <text>A petition for a temporary fuel variance shall be filed with the Department in the form the Department requires.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The petition shall contain:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The name, address, and telephone number of the petitioner and any other person who is authorized to receive notices on behalf of the petitioner;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The type and location of the operations for which the temporary fuel variance is sought;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>An explanation of why the petitioner is unable to obtain the necessary required fuel; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>A description of:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The process that is causing emissions and the quantity and nature of existing emissions;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The specific variance sought, including:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The starting and ending dates of the requested variance; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The type, sulphur content, and quantity of the fuel that the petitioner proposes to use; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The amount and type of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The current fuel inventory of the petitioner; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Any fuel reserves at any facility that is owned or operated by the petitioner.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The petitioner shall verify the information in the petition.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-503" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Temporary Fuel Variances"> <level label="a"> <text>If a petition for a temporary fuel variance is filed in accordance with § 2-502 of this subtitle, the Department shall schedule a public hearing on the petition to be held as soon as possible but no earlier than 10 days after publication of the notice required by this section.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The petitioner shall publish a prominent notice of the hearing in a newspaper of general circulation in the county where the source for which the temporary fuel variance is sought is located.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Except as otherwise provided by the Department, the notice shall contain:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The name and address of the petitioner;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The location and a description of the operations for which the temporary fuel variance is sought;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A reference to the specific rule, regulation, or order from which the temporary fuel variance is sought;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>A brief statement explaining why the temporary fuel variance is sought;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>A statement that any person may oppose the petition at a public hearing on a specific date and at a specific time and location; and</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>Any additional information that the Department requires.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>The Department may grant an emergency temporary fuel variance before the public hearing if:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The petitioner shows to the Department an immediate need for the temporary fuel variance; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The Air Management Administration recommends that the Department grant the temporary fuel variance before the hearing.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If the Department grants an emergency temporary fuel variance before the public hearing:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The notice of the hearing shall state that an emergency temporary fuel variance has been granted and will be reviewed at the hearing; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The hearing shall be held by the Department within 30 days after the petition is filed.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>After the hearing and if the Air Management Administration so recommends, the Department may:</text> <level label="1"> <text>If a temporary fuel variance has not been previously granted:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Grant a temporary fuel variance, subject to federal requirements, for a period of not more than 120 days; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Refuse to grant a temporary fuel variance; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If an emergency temporary fuel variance has been granted previously:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Terminate the emergency temporary fuel variance; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Extend the emergency temporary fuel variance, subject to federal regulations, for a period of not more than 120 days from the date the variance was first granted.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-504" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Temporary Fuel Variances"> <text>The Department may grant an extension of a temporary fuel variance for an additional period of not more than 60 days, if the petitioner gives the Department additional information that justifies the extension.</text> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-505" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Temporary Fuel Variances"> <text>Except to the extent necessary to give effect to the temporary fuel variance, a petitioner who is granted a temporary fuel variance shall comply with any applicable law, rule, or regulation, and with any order, permit, or other temporary fuel variance previously issued or granted under this title.</text> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-601" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Enforcement; Penalties"> <text>To the maximum extent possible, the Department shall use the facilities and services of appropriate agencies of political subdivisions to enforce the standards set under this title.</text> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-602" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Enforcement; Penalties"> <level label="a"> <text>The Department may issue a show–cause order or a corrective order under this section if the Department has reasonable grounds to believe that the person to whom the order is directed has violated:</text> <level label="1"> <text>This title;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Any rule or regulation adopted under this title;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Any plan for compliance issued under this title; or</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Any permit or registration issued under § 2–401 of this title.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Department is not required to issue a show–cause order or a corrective order before enforcing this title by injunction or civil penalty under this subtitle.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-603" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Enforcement; Penalties"> <level label="a"> <text>A show–cause order issued under this subtitle shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Specify the provision that allegedly has been violated;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Describe the nature and extent of the alleged violation;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Require the person charged to appear at a hearing and show cause why an order requiring corrective action should not be issued; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>State the date, time, and place of the hearing.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Each show–cause order issued under this subtitle shall be in writing and shall be served:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Not less than 20 days before the time set for the hearing; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>As a summons is served under the Maryland Rules or by certified mail.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-604" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Enforcement; Penalties"> <level label="a"> <text>A corrective order issued under this subtitle shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Specify the provision that allegedly has been violated;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Describe the nature and extent of the alleged violation;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Require corrective action within a time specified in the order; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>State that the person charged will receive a hearing if the person requests the hearing within 10 days after service.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Each corrective order issued under this subtitle shall be in writing and shall be served:</text> <level label="1"> <text>As a summons is served under the Maryland Rules; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>By certified mail.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Unless the person charged with a corrective order requests a hearing within 10 days after service, the corrective order becomes a final order.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>If the person charged with a corrective order makes a timely request for a hearing under subsection (c) of this section, the Secretary shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Hold a hearing within 20 days after the request is made; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Give the person written notice of the date, time, and place of the hearing, at least 10 days before the hearing date.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-605" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Enforcement; Penalties"> <level label="a"> <text>The Department shall give notice of and hold any hearing held under § 2-603 or § 2-604 of this subtitle in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act and the requirements of this section.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Before the hearing, the person charged, on request, shall be given an opportunity to examine all information and reports that relate to the alleged offense.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The person charged may be represented at the hearing by counsel.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>A person may withhold information about secret processes or methods of manufacture or production from any public hearing under this subtitle, and the Department and its personnel shall keep confidential any such information that it requires, ascertains, or discovers.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>Testimony taken at the hearing shall be under oath and recorded.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>Copies of the transcript and of any other record of the hearing shall be provided to the person charged at that person’s request and expense.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <level label="1"> <text>The Secretary or a designee of the Secretary may issue subpoenas for any person or evidence and administer oaths in connection with any proceeding under this section.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>At the request and the expense of the person charged, the Secretary or a designee of the Secretary shall subpoena any person or evidence on behalf of the person charged.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>If a person fails to comply with a notice of hearing or a subpoena issued under this section, the circuit court for the county where the person charged resides, on petition of the Secretary, may:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Compel obedience to the notice or subpoena; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Compel testimony or the production of evidence.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-606" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Enforcement; Penalties"> <text>On the basis of the evidence produced at a hearing, the Secretary or the designated hearing officer may issue a corrective or other final order:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Granting an exception from a rule or regulation adopted under this title on such conditions as the Secretary may determine; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Directing the person charged to comply, within a specified time, with any rule or regulation that the person is found to be violating.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-607" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Enforcement; Penalties"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>Any person aggrieved by a final decision of the Secretary or the designated hearing officer in connection with a show–cause order, a corrective order, or any other final order issued under this subtitle may take a direct judicial appeal.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The appeal shall be made as provided for judicial review of final decisions in the Administrative Procedure Act.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>An appeal under this section does not stay automatically the order from which the appeal is taken.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-608" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Enforcement; Penalties"> <level label="a"> <text>Within 1 year after the Department issues a show–cause order or a corrective order, the Department shall take final action and attempt to secure compliance with any final order. If the Department has not secured compliance within this period, the Department shall take immediate steps to seek enforcement under § 2–609 of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Nothing in this section prohibits the Department from bringing an action under § 2–609 of this subtitle within 1 year after the Department issues a show–cause order or a corrective order under this subtitle.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-609" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Enforcement; Penalties"> <level label="a"> <text>The Department may bring:</text> <level label="1"> <text>An action to enjoin any conduct that violates any provision of this title or any rule, regulation, or order adopted or issued under this title; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A civil action to collect a civil penalty under § 2-610 of this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The right to bring an action under subsection (a) of this section is in addition to and not instead of the right to bring any other action under that subsection.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>For good cause shown, the court that hears a proceeding to enforce an order issued under this subtitle may grant, without further penalty to the violator, a reasonable extension of time to abate the violation.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-609.1" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Enforcement; Penalties"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “approval” means approval for prevention of significant deterioration or approval of new sources in nonattainment areas.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <level label="i"> <text>A person may not knowingly act or fail to act in violation of a condition or requirement imposed on the person by a permit or approval issued under this title.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A person may not knowingly fail to obtain a permit or approval that the person knows or should have known is required under this title.</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>A person may not violate a duty imposed on the person by a rule, regulation, order, or approved plan for compliance adopted or issued under this title with knowledge that the person’s conduct constitutes a violation of the duty.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A person who violates a provision of this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>For a first offense, a fine not exceeding $25,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 1 year or both; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>For a violation committed after a first conviction under this section, a fine not exceeding $50,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 2 years or both.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Each day on which violations occur is a separate violation under this subsection.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>This subsection does not apply to violations enumerated in subsection (c) of this section.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A person is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $10,000 for each day of violation or imprisonment not exceeding 6 months or both if the person:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Knowingly makes any false statement, representation, or certification in any application, record, report, plan, or other document filed or required to be maintained under this title or any rule, regulation, order, approved plan for compliance, approval, or permit adopted or issued under this title; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Knowingly falsifies, tampers with, or renders inaccurate any monitoring device or methods required to be maintained under this title or any rule, regulation, order, approved plan for compliance, approval, or permit adopted or issued under this title.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-610" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Enforcement; Penalties"> <level label="a"> <text>A person who violates any provision of this title or any rule, regulation, or order adopted or issued under this title is liable for a civil penalty not exceeding $25,000, to be collected in a civil action in the circuit court for any county. Each day a violation continues is a separate violation under this section.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>If the Attorney General concurs, the Secretary may compromise and settle any claim for a civil penalty under this section.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>If, within 36 months after a civil penalty is compromised and settled under subsection (b) of this section, the person against whom the penalty is imposed satisfies the Secretary that the violation has been eliminated or the order has been satisfied, the Secretary, with the concurrence of the Attorney General, may return to the person not more than 75 percent of the amount of the penalty paid.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-610.1" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Enforcement; Penalties"> <level label="a"> <text>In addition to any other remedies available at law or in equity and after an opportunity for a hearing which may be waived in writing by the person accused of a violation, the Department may impose a penalty for violation of any provision of this title, Subtitle 4 of Title 6 of this article, or any rule, regulation, order, plan for compliance, registration, or permit adopted or issued under those provisions.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Before taking any action under this section, the Department shall provide the alleged violator with written notice of the proposed action and an opportunity for an informal meeting.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>The penalty imposed on a person under this section shall be:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Up to $2,500 for each violation;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Not more than $50,000 total for any single administrative hearing; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Assessed with consideration given to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The willfulness of the violation, the extent to which the existence of the violation was known to the violator but uncorrected by the violator, and the extent to which the violator exercised reasonable care;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Any actual harm to human health or to the environment, including injury to or impairment of the air quality or the natural resources of this State;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The cost of control;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The nature and degree of injury to or interference with general welfare, health, and property;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>The extent to which the location of the violation, including location near areas of human population, creates the potential for harm to the environment or to human health or safety;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>The available technology and economic reasonableness of controlling, reducing, or eliminating the emissions that caused the violation; and</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>The extent to which the current violation is part of a recurrent pattern of the same or similar type of violation committed by the violator.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Each day a violation occurs is a separate violation under this section.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Any penalty imposed under this section is payable to this State and collectible in any manner provided at law for the collection of debts.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>If any person who is liable to pay a penalty imposed under this section fails to pay it after demand, the amount, together with interest and any costs that may accrue, shall be:</text> <level label="i"> <text>A lien in favor of this State on any property, real or personal, of the person; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Recorded in the office of the clerk of court for the county in which the property is located.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-611" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Enforcement; Penalties"> <level label="a"> <text>A person is not subject to action for a violation of this title or any rule or regulation adopted under this title so long as the person acts in accordance with a plan for compliance that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The person has submitted to the Secretary; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Secretary has approved, with or without amendments, on the recommendation of the Air Management Administration.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Secretary shall act on any plan for compliance within 90 days after the plan for compliance is submitted to the Secretary.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-612" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Enforcement; Penalties"> <level label="a"> <text>The Secretary may adopt rules and regulations that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Are patterned after § 120 of the federal Clean Air Act and the federal regulations adopted under § 120 of the federal Clean Air Act; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Specify:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The circumstances under which a person who violates this title is subject to a noncompliance penalty equal to the economic benefit that accrues to the person because of noncompliance;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The method of calculating the noncompliance penalty;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The manner of payment of the noncompliance penalty; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>The circumstances under which a noncompliance penalty collected under this section is subject to rebate.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>If a person fails to pay a noncompliance penalty in a timely manner, the Secretary may require the person to pay an additional nonpayment penalty for each quarter that the noncompliance penalty remains unpaid.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The nonpayment penalty shall equal 20 percent of the total of the person’s noncompliance penalties and nonpayment penalties that remain unpaid at the beginning of the quarter.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>If a person fails to pay a noncompliance penalty or nonpayment penalty imposed under this section, the Department may bring an action to collect the penalty in the same manner as a civil penalty is collected under § 2-610 of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>An action under this section to collect a noncompliance penalty is in addition to and not instead of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>An action under § 2-609 of this subtitle; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Any other relief under this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-613" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Enforcement; Penalties"> <text>A condition that is caused by an act of God, a strike, a riot, a catastrophe, or a cause over which an alleged violator has no control is not a violation of this title or any standard set or rule or regulation adopted under this title.</text> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-614" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Enforcement; Penalties"> <text>The Attorney General shall take charge of, prosecute, and defend on behalf of this State every case arising under the provisions of this subtitle, including the recovery of penalties.</text> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-901" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="9" subtitle_name="Tax Credits for Employer-Provided Commuter Benefits"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>“Active transportation” means any self–propelled mode of transportation such as walking, bicycling, or scootering.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>“Active transportation” includes:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Bicycling on a bicycle with an electric component; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Operating a scooter with an electric component.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Active transportation subsidy” means the amount paid by an employer to an employee on a regular basis to cover the costs associated with active transportation, including the costs associated with:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Bicycle maintenance;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Shared bicycle and scooter memberships;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Bicycling gear such as helmets, hydration packs, bottles with cages, spare tubes, patch kits, pumps, tire levers, cycling multitools, bike shoes and gloves, saddle bags, reflective accessories, and locks; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Walking gear such as reflective accessories and walking or running shoes.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>“Business entity” means:</text> <level label="i"> <text>A person conducting or operating a trade or business in Maryland; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>An organization operating in Maryland that is exempt from taxation under § 501(c)(3) or (4) of the Internal Revenue Code.</text> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <text>“Carpool” means using a privately owned or employer–owned vehicle to share a commute with two or more individuals.</text> </level> <level label="6"> <level label="i"> <text>“Carpool subsidy” means the amount paid by an employer to an employee on a regular basis to cover the costs of normally operating a vehicle used for carpooling, including employer payment or reimbursement of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>E–ZPass and toll fees;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Parking fees; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Other costs associated with carpooling, as appropriate.</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>“Carpool subsidy” does not include payment or reimbursement of the cost of maintaining or purchasing a vehicle used for carpooling.</text> </level> </level> <level label="7"> <text>“Cash in lieu of parking program” means an employer–funded program under which an employer offers to provide a cash allowance to an employee in an amount equal to the parking subsidy that the employer would otherwise pay or incur to provide the employee a parking space.</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>“Guaranteed ride home” means immediate transportation provided by a business entity for an employee who:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Receives any of the commuter benefits described in subsection (b)(1) or (2) of this section or commutes by way of a nonmotorized method of transportation; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Is required to leave work early for illness or other verifiable reason.</text> </level> </level> <level label="9"> <text>“Instrument” means a pass, token, fare card, voucher, or similar item.</text> </level> <level label="10"> <text>“Parking subsidy” means:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The difference between the out–of–pocket amount paid by an employer on a regular basis to secure the availability of an employee parking space not owned by the employer and the price charged to the employee for use of that space; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>For parking owned or leased by the employer as an integral part of a larger facility, the fair market value of a parking space provided by the employer for parking commuter vehicles, as determined:</text> <level label="1"> <text>By considering typical costs paid or incurred by users of nearby equivalent paid parking spaces, by evaluating the annual amortized cost of constructing and operating the parking space divided by the number of workdays per year the space is ordinarily used; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>By other reasonable and justifiable means.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="11"> <text>“Telework” means a flexible work arrangement under which an employee performs the duties and responsibilities of the employee’s position, including other employer–authorized activities, from an approved worksite different from the location at which the employee would otherwise work.</text> </level> <level label="12"> <text>“Telework subsidy” means the amount paid by an employer to an employee on a regular basis to cover the costs associated with teleworking, including employer payment or reimbursement of:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Prorated Internet service costs;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Prorated computer equipment costs;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Prorated telephone equipment costs;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Prorated software and supply costs for software and supplies not provided by the employer but necessary for the employee to perform the employee’s job responsibilities; and</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>Membership costs for co–working space and telework centers.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A business entity may claim a tax credit in an amount equal to 50% of the cost of providing the following commuter benefits to the business entity’s employees:</text> <level label="1"> <text>If provided for the purpose of travel between the employee’s residence and place of employment, any portion of the cost of transportation to or from a location in the State in a vehicle or an instrument that is used to offset any portion of the cost of transportation to or from a location in the State in a vehicle:</text> <level label="i"> <text>With a seating capacity of at least six adult individuals; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>At least 80% of the annual mileage of which is incurred:</text> <level label="1"> <text>For the purpose of transporting individuals between their residences and their places of employment; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>On trips where the number of employees transported together is at least one–half of that vehicle’s adult seating capacity;</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>An instrument that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Entitles an individual, at no additional cost or at a reduced fare, to transportation to or from a location in the State on a publicly or privately owned mass transit system other than a taxi service; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Is redeemable at a transit pass sales outlet for the purpose stated in item (i) of this item;</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>For an employee who resides or works in the State:</text> <level label="i"> <text>A cash in lieu of parking program; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A guaranteed ride home;</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>An employer–funded carpool program under which an employer provides a carpool subsidy to an employee who meets the following requirements:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The purpose of travel is to travel to and from work, traveling between either an employee’s residence and place of employment or a designated meeting place, such as a park and ride lot, and the employee’s place of employment;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>At least two people are traveling together for more than 80% of the trip;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Each individual participating in the carpool program is registered with the Commuter Connections program; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>The carpooling takes place on a weekday between the hours of 5:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.;</text> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <text>An employer–funded telework program under which an employer provides a telework subsidy to an employee whose teleworking takes place on a weekday between the hours of 5:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>An employer–funded active transportation program under which an employer provides an active transportation subsidy to an employee who uses active transportation to or from work on a weekday between the hours of 5:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.; or</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>An employer–funded multimodal commuter program under which an employer provides a combination of subsidies, payments, or reimbursements under items (1) through (6) of this subsection to an employee who:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Uses multiple modes of transportation to or from work on a weekday between the hours of 5:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>If necessary, uses a ride hail service for up to 5 miles of a multimodal commuter trip to connect a commuter to transit, carpool, or vanpool for travel to or from work in the State.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The credit allowed under this section may not exceed $100 per individual employee per month.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>The credit allowed under this section may not exceed the total tax otherwise payable by the business entity for that taxable year, determined before the application of the credit under this section but after the application of any other credit.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The unused amount of the credit under this section for any taxable year may not be carried over to any other taxable year.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>On application by a business entity, the Department of Transportation shall issue a tax credit certificate in the amount allowed under subsection (b) of this section.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>For any fiscal year, the total amount of tax credit certificates issued by the Department of Transportation for the credit allowed under this section may not exceed $1,000,000.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The Department of Transportation shall approve all applications that qualify for a tax credit certificate under this subsection on a first–come, first–served basis.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The Department of Transportation shall adopt regulations to establish an application process for the tax credit allowed under this section.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-1001" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="10" subtitle_name="Healthy Air Act"> <level label="a"> <text>In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>“Affected facility” means an electricity generating unit in the State that includes a coal fired boiler or indirect heat exchanger that was exempted from the Prevention of Significant Deterioration review under Title 1 of the 1977 federal Clean Air Act.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Affected facility” includes:</text> <level label="i"> <level label="H"> <level label="A"> <text>Wagner, units 2 and 3;</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Subject to § 2-1003(c) of this subtitle, R.P. Smith, units 3 and 4;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Morgantown Generating Station, units 1 and 2;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Dickerson, units 1, 2, and 3;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <level label="C"> <level label="P"> <text>Crane, units 1 and 2;</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>Chalk Point Generating Station, units 1 and 2; and</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>Brandon Shores, units 1 and 2.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Affected facility” does not include any electricity generating unit:</text> <level label="i"> <text>That operates in combination with equipment used to recover useful thermal energy for industrial, commercial, heating, or cooling purposes through sequential use of energy; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>That supplies in any calendar year less than one-half of the electricity generated by such unit to any utility power distribution system for sale.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>“Allowance” means:</text> <level label="1"> <text>One ton of sulfur dioxide that may be bought, sold, traded, or banked for use under the Acid Rain Program in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>One ton of oxides of nitrogen that may be bought, sold, traded, or banked for use under the Nitrogen Oxides Budget Trading Program in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>“PJM Region” has the meaning stated under § 7–701 of the Public Utilities Article.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-1002" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="10" subtitle_name="Healthy Air Act"> <level label="a"> <text>On or after January 1, 2009, affected facilities collectively may not emit more than 20,216 tons of oxides of nitrogen per year.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>On or after January 1, 2010, affected facilities collectively may not emit more than 48,618 tons of sulfur dioxide per year.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Department may set an interim stage reduction for sulfur dioxide.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>On or after January 1, 2012, affected facilities collectively may not emit more than 16,667 tons of oxides of nitrogen per year.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>On or after January 1, 2013, affected facilities collectively may not emit more than 37,235 tons of sulfur dioxide per year.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>The Department shall set emissions budgets for each affected facility to implement the emissions limitations in subsections (a), (b), (c), and (d) of this section.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>This paragraph applies to an affected facility that is owned, leased, operated, or controlled by a person that owns, leases, operates, or controls more than one affected facility.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>An affected facility may emit more than the emissions budget set for the facility under paragraph (1) of this subsection as long as the person owning, leasing, operating, or controlling the affected facility does not exceed the cumulative emissions budget for all of the affected facilities that the person owns, leases, operates, or controls.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>If an affected facility permanently ceases operation, the Department:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Shall subtract the emissions budget for that affected facility from the emissions limitations established in subsections (a), (b), (c), and (d) of this section; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>May not increase existing emissions budgets for all other affected facilities.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <level label="1"> <text>On or after January 1, 2010, a person that owns, leases, operates, or controls an affected facility shall achieve a minimum 80% capture of mercury for each affected facility, calculated as a rolling 12–month average.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>On or after January 1, 2013, a person that owns, leases, operates, or controls an affected facility shall achieve a minimum 90% capture of mercury for each affected facility, calculated as a rolling 12–month average.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A person that owns, leases, operates, or controls an affected facility shall demonstrate compliance with this subsection through the direct monitoring of mercury emissions on a continuous basis, according to the requirements of 40 C.F.R. Part 60, Subpart UUUUU.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The Department shall adopt regulations that establish a procedure to be used to determine a baseline amount of mercury at each affected facility for purposes of calculating the capture rate required under this subsection.</text> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <level label="1"> <text>In this subsection, “allowance” means one ton of carbon dioxide that may be bought, sold, traded, or banked for use under the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Not later than June 30, 2007, the Governor shall include the State as a full participant in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative among Mid–Atlantic and Northeast states.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The State may withdraw from the Initiative, as provided in the December 20, 2005 memorandum of understanding of the Initiative, at any time after January 1, 2009, if the General Assembly enacts a law to approve the withdrawal.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>If the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative expires and there is a successor organization with the same purposes and goals, the Governor is encouraged to join the State in the successor organization.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Notwithstanding § 2–107 of this title, all of the proceeds from the sale of Maryland allowances under the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative shall be deposited in the Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund under § 9–20B–05 of the State Government Article.</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>If the State’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative ceases for any reason, the Governor shall report to the General Assembly, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, regarding:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Why participation ceased; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A plan to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from power plants in the State that considers the use of Maryland grown, native, warm season grasses as a possible method of reducing carbon emissions.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="h"> <text>The provisions of this section may not be construed to affect existing or future emissions requirements, standards, or limitations imposed on electricity generators by any other existing or future provision of law that would result in emissions reductions in addition to those required under this section.</text> </level> <level label="i"> <level label="1"> <text>A person that owns, leases, operates, or controls an affected facility that is subject to the requirements of this section may determine how best to achieve the collective emissions requirements under subsections (a), (b), (c), and (d) of this section.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>If a person that owns, leases, operates, or controls an affected facility can demonstrate, with clear and convincing evidence, that the pollution control equipment that is necessary to achieve compliance with the requirements of this section is unattainable, due to a lack of available supply, the Department may reduce or waive any penalty due to the failure to attain compliance until the pollution control equipment becomes attainable.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>If a person that owns, leases, operates, or controls an affected facility can demonstrate, with clear and convincing evidence, that the pollution control equipment that is necessary to achieve compliance with the requirements of this section has significantly increased in cost due to the limited amount of supply and, as a result, may significantly increase electric rates, the Department may reduce or waive any penalty due to the failure to attain compliance until the supply of pollution control equipment becomes available so as to reasonably lower the cost of the pollution control equipment.</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>In determining whether to reduce or waive any penalty under this paragraph, the Department shall consult with the Public Service Commission as to the availability and cost of the pollution control equipment.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>A decision by the Department to reduce or waive any penalty under paragraph (2) of this subsection shall be subject to judicial review by any person who meets the threshold standing requirements under federal constitutional law.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Any action to reduce or waive any penalty under paragraph (2) of this subsection shall remain in effect until judicial review is final.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="j"> <level label="1"> <text>If the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency allocates emission allowances for mercury, sulfur dioxide, or oxides of nitrogen to the State, the allowances shall be treated as provided in this subsection.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Department:</text> <level label="i"> <text>May not allow the application of allowances to the compliance of any affected facility with the emissions limitations established under subsections (a) through (d) of this section; but</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>May allow the allowances to be sold or traded to facilities outside the State in accordance with allowance trading programs of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-1003" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="10" subtitle_name="Healthy Air Act"> <level label="a"> <text>Beginning December 1, 2007, and each year thereafter, a person that owns, leases, operates, or controls an affected facility shall submit to the Department, the Department of Natural Resources, and the Public Service Commission, a report that includes:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Emissions performance results related to compliance with the emissions requirements under § 2-1002 of this subtitle;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The number of pounds of oxides of nitrogen, sulfur dioxide, mercury, and carbon dioxide emitted during the previous calendar year from the affected facility;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A current compliance plan; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Any other information requested by the Department.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Department shall review the information submitted under this section to determine whether the actual and proposed modifications and permit and construction schedules are adequate to achieve the emissions requirements under this subtitle and shall make these determinations publicly available on an annual basis.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>Notwithstanding any other provision of law and subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, the Department shall allow the R.P. Smith facility, units 3 and 4, to operate without complying with the emissions requirements under this subtitle if PJM Interconnection, Inc. determines that the termination of operation of the facility will adversely affect the reliability of electrical service in the PJM region.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If the Department allows the R.P. Smith facility, units 3 and 4, to operate without complying with the emissions requirements under this subtitle in accordance with this subsection:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The facility may not operate at emissions levels greater than the highest level measured at the facility during the calendar years 2000 through 2004; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The Department shall review the operations of the facility and adopt regulations to establish an alternative emissions requirement for the facility.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-1004" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="10" subtitle_name="Healthy Air Act"> <text>By June 30, 2007, the Department shall adopt regulations to implement the provisions of this subtitle.</text> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-1005" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="10" subtitle_name="Healthy Air Act"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>The allowance penalty provisions of this section are in addition to the administrative and civil penalty provisions provided under §§ 2-604, 2-609, 2-610, and 2-610.1 of this title.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Each one-half ounce of mercury and each ton of sulfur dioxide or nitrogen oxides emitted in excess of the limitations set forth or imposed in accordance with § 2-1002 of this subtitle shall be a separate violation under §§ 2-610 and 2-610.1 of this title.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>If, in any calendar year during the period from January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2012, a person fails to achieve and maintain full compliance with the emissions limitations established by the Department under § 2-1002(e) of this subtitle, the person shall surrender:</text> <level label="1"> <text>One sulfur dioxide allowance for each ton of sulfur dioxide emitted in excess of the emission rate limitation; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>One oxide of nitrogen allowance for every 2 tons of sulfur dioxide emitted in excess of the emission rate limitation.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>If, in any calendar year, during the period from January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2011, a person fails to achieve full compliance with the oxides of nitrogen emission limitations in § 2-1002(e) of this subtitle, the person shall surrender one oxide of nitrogen allowance for each ton of oxides of nitrogen emitted in excess of the required emission rate limitation.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>A person that surrenders allowances in accordance with subsection (b) or (c) of this section shall surrender the allowances to the Department’s surrender account by March 1 of the year following the year in which the person failed to achieve and maintain compliance with the applicable emission limitation.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-1101" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="11" subtitle_name="Low Emissions Vehicle Program"> <level label="a"> <text>In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>“Administration” means the Motor Vehicle Administration.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>“Program” means the low emissions vehicle program established under this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>“Transfer” includes acquire, purchase, sell, and lease.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-1102" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="11" subtitle_name="Low Emissions Vehicle Program"> <level label="a"> <text>In consultation with the Administration and as provided under this subtitle, the Department shall establish by regulation and maintain a low emissions vehicle program that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Is authorized by § 177 of the federal Clean Air Act; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Is applicable to vehicles of the 2011 model year and each model year thereafter.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>As part of the program, the Department shall establish new motor vehicle emissions standards and compliance requirements for each model year included in the program as authorized by § 177 of the federal Clean Air Act.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>As part of the compliance requirements established under this subtitle, the Department may adopt by regulation motor vehicle emissions inspection, recall, and warranty requirements.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The Department or any other State agency may not adopt a regulation under this subtitle or any other provision of law that requires the sale or use of California reformulated gasoline in the State.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-1103" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="11" subtitle_name="Low Emissions Vehicle Program"> <text>To minimize the administrative impact of the program and to minimize the impact of motor vehicle emissions generated out of state on the air quality of this State, the Department:</text> <level label="1"> <text>May adopt California regulations, procedures, and certification data by reference; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>May work in cooperation with, and enter into contracts or agreements with, California, other states, and the District of Columbia to administer certification, in–use compliance, inspection, recall, and warranty requirements for the program.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-1103.1" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="11" subtitle_name="Low Emissions Vehicle Program"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Heavy–duty vehicle” means a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating equal to or greater than 14,001 pounds.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Medium–duty vehicle” means a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of not less than 8,501 pounds and not more than 14,000 pounds.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>On or before December 1, 2023, the Department shall adopt regulations establishing requirements for the sale of new zero–emission medium– and heavy–duty vehicles in the State.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The regulations adopted under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Update existing regulations;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Incorporate by reference the California Air Resources Board’s Advanced Clean Trucks regulations, as revised and updated; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Subject to subsection (d) of this section, take effect starting with model year 2027.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>The Department, in consultation with the Department of Transportation, the Department of General Services, the Maryland Energy Administration, and the Public Service Commission, shall prepare a needs assessment and deployment plan relating to the successful implementation of regulations adopted under this section.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The needs assessment and deployment plan shall assess and plan for:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The additional electrical capacity, transmission, distribution demands, and hydrogen fueling demands that will result from implementation of the regulations, and the ability of the State’s electric utilities, grid, and hydrogen infrastructure to meet those demands, based on publicly available information and existing analyses;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The number of zero–emission medium– and heavy–duty vehicle recharging and refueling stations recommended for implementation of the regulations, and the costs, permitting processes, and timelines for installing those stations;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The purchase incentives and other mechanisms recommended for successful implementation of the regulations, including incentives for recharging and refueling stations and related infrastructure, and the existing and potential sources of funding for those incentives and mechanisms; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>The timeline, economic feasibility, and models available for transitioning medium– and heavy–duty vehicles in the State vehicle fleet, including State–contracted medium– and heavy–duty vehicles, to zero–emission vehicles.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>On or before December 1, 2024, the Department shall submit the needs assessment and deployment plan to the General Assembly in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The Department may delay implementation of the regulations authorized under this section by one or more model years if, after consulting with the Department of Transportation, the Department of General Services, the Maryland Energy Administration, and the Public Service Commission, the Department determines, based on criteria identified through the needs assessment and deployment plan, that implementation of the regulations is not yet feasible.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-1104" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="11" subtitle_name="Low Emissions Vehicle Program"> <level label="a"> <text>Except as otherwise provided in this subtitle, the Administration may not title or register, under Title 13 of the Transportation Article, a new motor vehicle that is subject to the provisions of this subtitle if the motor vehicle does not comply with the provisions of this subtitle or any regulation adopted under this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Except as otherwise provided in this subtitle, a person may not transfer or attempt to transfer a motor vehicle or motor vehicle engine that is subject to the provisions of this subtitle if the vehicle or engine does not comply with the program.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A person may not procure or attempt to procure, through fraud or misrepresentation, the title or registration of a motor vehicle that is subject to the provisions of this subtitle if the vehicle does not comply with the program.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The Department, in consultation with the Administration, may adopt regulations to prohibit the transfer of new motor vehicles or motor vehicle engines that are not in compliance with the provisions of this subtitle.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-1105" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="11" subtitle_name="Low Emissions Vehicle Program"> <level label="a"> <text>The Department shall, in consultation with the Administration, adopt regulations to exempt motor vehicles from the program.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Exemptions established under subsection (a) of this section shall be limited to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Motor vehicles sold for registration out of the State;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Motor vehicles sold from a licensed dealer to another licensed dealer; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Motor vehicles that would be exempted from the low emissions vehicle program established under California law.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>For any motor vehicle exempted under subsection (a) of this section, the Administration shall note the exemption on the title of the motor vehicle.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-1106" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="11" subtitle_name="Low Emissions Vehicle Program"> <level label="a"> <text>The enforcement and penalty provisions of Subtitle 6 of this title shall apply to a violation of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Each transfer or attempted transfer of a motor vehicle or motor vehicle engine in violation of § 2–1104(b) of this subtitle shall constitute a separate violation of the provisions of this subtitle.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-1201" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="12" subtitle_name="Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions"> <text>The General Assembly finds that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Greenhouse gases are air pollutants that threaten to endanger the public health and welfare of the people of Maryland;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Global warming poses a serious threat to the State’s future health, well–being, and prosperity;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>With 3,100 miles of tidally influenced shoreline, Maryland is vulnerable to the threat posed by global warming and susceptible to rising sea levels and flooding, which would have detrimental and costly effects;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The State has the ingenuity to reduce the threat of global warming and make greenhouse gas reductions a part of the State’s future by achieving a 25% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 2006 levels by 2020 and by preparing a plan to meet a longer–term goal of achieving net–zero statewide greenhouse gas emissions by 2045 in a manner that promotes new “green” jobs, and protects existing jobs and the State’s economic well–being;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Studies have shown that energy efficiency programs and technological initiatives consistent with the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions can result in a net economic benefit to the State;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>In addition to achieving the reduction established under this subtitle, it is in the best interest of the State to act early and aggressively to achieve the Maryland Commission on Climate Change’s recommended goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 10% from 2006 levels by 2012 and by 15% from 2006 levels by 2015;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>While reductions of harmful greenhouse gas emissions are one part of the solution, the State should focus on developing and utilizing clean energies that provide greater energy efficiency and conservation, such as renewable energy from wind, solar, geothermal, and bioenergy sources;</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>It is necessary to protect the public health, economic well–being, and natural treasures of the State by reducing harmful air pollutants such as greenhouse gas emissions by using practical solutions that are already at the State’s disposal;</text> </level> <level label="9"> <text>Cap and trade regulation of greenhouse gas emissions is most effective when implemented on a federal level;</text> </level> <level label="10"> <text>Because of the need to remain competitive with manufacturers located in other states or countries and to preserve existing manufacturing jobs in the State, greenhouse gas emissions from the manufacturing sector are most effectively regulated on a national and international level; and</text> </level> <level label="11"> <text>Because of the need to remain competitive with other states, greenhouse gas emissions from certain other commercial and service sectors, including freight carriers and generators of electricity, are most effectively regulated on a national level.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-1202" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="12" subtitle_name="Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions"> <level label="a"> <text>In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>“Alternative compliance mechanism” means an action authorized by regulations adopted by the Department that achieves the equivalent reduction of greenhouse gas emissions over the same period as a direct emissions reduction.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>“Carbon dioxide equivalent” means the measurement of a given weight of a greenhouse gas that has the same global warming potential, measured over a specified period of time, as one metric ton of carbon dioxide.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>“Direct emissions reduction” means a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from a greenhouse gas emissions source.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>“Greenhouse gas” includes carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>“Greenhouse gas emissions source” means a source or category of sources of greenhouse gas emissions that have emissions of greenhouse gases that are subject to reporting requirements or other provisions of this subtitle, as determined by the Department.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <text>“Leakage” means a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions within the State that is offset by a corresponding increase in greenhouse gas emissions from a greenhouse gas emissions source located outside the State that is not subject to a similar state, interstate, or regional greenhouse gas emissions cap or limitation.</text> </level> <level label="h"> <level label="1"> <text>“Manufacturing” means the process of substantially transforming, or a substantial step in the process of substantially transforming, tangible personal property into a new and different article of tangible personal property by the use of labor or machinery.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Manufacturing”, when performed by companies primarily engaged in the activities described in paragraph (1) of this subsection, includes:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The operation of saw mills, grain mills, or feed mills;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The operation of machinery and equipment used to extract and process minerals, metals, or earthen materials or by–products that result from the extracting or processing; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Research and development activities.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Manufacturing” does not include:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Activities that are primarily a service;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Activities that are intellectual, artistic, or clerical in nature;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Public utility services, including gas, electric, water, and steam production services;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>The production of cement; or</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>Any other activity that would not commonly be considered as manufacturing.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="i"> <text>“Statewide greenhouse gas emissions” means the total annual emissions of greenhouse gases in the State, measured in metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents, including all emissions of greenhouse gases from the generation of electricity delivered to and consumed in the State, and line losses from the transmission and distribution of electricity, whether the electricity is generated in–State or imported.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-1203" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="12" subtitle_name="Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions"> <level label="a"> <text>On or before June 1, 2011, the Department shall publish:</text> <level label="1"> <text>An inventory of statewide greenhouse gas emissions for calendar year 2006; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Based on existing greenhouse gas emissions control measures, a projected “business as usual” inventory for calendar year 2020.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Department shall review and publish an updated statewide greenhouse gas emissions inventory for calendar year 2011 and for every third calendar year thereafter.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-1204" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="12" subtitle_name="Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions"> <text>The State shall reduce statewide greenhouse gas emissions by 25% from 2006 levels by 2020.</text> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-1204.2" effective_note="EFFECTIVE UNTIL JUNE 30, 2030 PER CHAPTER 38 OF 2022" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="12" subtitle_name="Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions"> <text>The State shall achieve net–zero statewide greenhouse gas emissions by 2045.</text> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-1204.3" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="12" subtitle_name="Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions"> <level label="a"> <text>The Governor may include the State as a full participant in any regional governmental initiative, agreement, or compact that limits or reduces greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>On or before November 1, 2019, and each year thereafter for the next 3 years, the Department and the Department of Transportation shall report to the General Assembly, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, on the status of a regional governmental initiative, agreement, or compact that limits or reduces greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector, including:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Whether a regional governmental initiative, agreement, or compact that limits greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector exists;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Whether the Governor has included the State as a full participant in such an initiative, agreement, or compact; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Any other information the Department or the Department of Transportation considers relevant.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The State may withdraw from a regional governmental initiative, agreement, or compact entered into under this section if the General Assembly enacts a law to approve the withdrawal.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-1205" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="12" subtitle_name="Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions"> <level label="a"> <text>The State shall develop plans, adopt regulations, and implement programs that reduce statewide greenhouse gas emissions in accordance with this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>On or before June 30, 2023, the Department shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Submit a proposed plan that reduces statewide greenhouse gas emissions by 60% from 2006 levels by 2031 to the Governor and General Assembly;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Make the proposed plan available to the public; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Convene a series of public workshops to provide interested parties with an opportunity to comment on the proposed plan.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>The Department shall, on or before December 31, 2012, adopt a final plan that reduces statewide greenhouse gas emissions by 25% from 2006 levels by 2020.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Department shall, on or before December 31, 2023, adopt a final plan that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Reduces statewide greenhouse gas emissions by 60% from 2006 levels by 2031; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Sets the State on a path toward achieving net–zero statewide greenhouse gas emissions by 2045.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The Department shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>On or before December 31, 2030, adopt a final plan that achieves net–zero statewide greenhouse gas emissions by 2045; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>On or before December 31, 2035, review and, as necessary, revise the final plan to achieve net–zero statewide gas emissions by 2045.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The final plans required under subsection (c) of this section shall include:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Adopted regulations that implement all plan measures for which State agencies have existing statutory authority; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A summary of any new legislative authority needed to fully implement the plans and a timeline for seeking legislative authority.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>A final plan developed under this section:</text> <level label="1"> <text>May not include highway widening or additional road construction as a greenhouse gas emission reduction measure;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>May include the use of carbon capture, electric distribution and transmission infrastructure improvements, and storage technology as a greenhouse gas emission reduction measure only if the technology has been scientifically proven to achieve verifiable carbon reductions;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Shall use the global warming potential for methane over a 20–year time horizon, as accepted in the most recent assessment of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, in estimating the State’s greenhouse gas emissions reductions;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Shall include policy recommendations to ensure the continued operation of Maryland’s existing zero carbon emission electric generators through current operating licenses;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Shall include specific estimates of the greenhouse gas emissions reductions that could be achieved through the expansion of mass transit options; and</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>Shall include specific estimates of the reductions expected from each greenhouse gas emissions reduction measure included in the plan.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>In developing and adopting a final plan to reduce statewide greenhouse gas emissions, the Department shall consult with State and local agencies as appropriate.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <level label="1"> <text>Paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection apply only to persons who engaged in manufacturing in 2023.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>Unless required by federal law or regulations or existing State law, regulations adopted by State agencies to implement a final plan may not:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Require any manufacturer to reduce greenhouse gas emissions below the emissions levels for that manufacturer in 2023;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Cause an increase in costs to a manufacturer that are significantly beyond the costs that were incurred by that manufacturer in 2023; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Require any manufacturer that is engaged in the creation of renewable energy components or technology aimed at greenhouse gas emissions reductions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Subparagraph (i) of this paragraph may not be construed to exempt greenhouse gas emissions sources in the State’s manufacturing sector from the obligation to comply with:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Greenhouse gas emissions monitoring, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements for which the Department had existing authority under § 2–301(a) of this title on or before October 1, 2009; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Greenhouse gas emissions reductions required of the manufacturing sector as a result of the State’s implementation of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A regulation adopted by a State agency for the purpose of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in accordance with this section may not be construed to result in a significant increase in costs to the State’s manufacturing sector unless the source would not incur the cost increase but for the new regulation.</text> </level> </level> <level label="h"> <level label="1"> <text>As part of the consideration of any regulation of the production of cement under this section, the Department shall consider:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The extent to which cement manufacturing is an energy intensive and trade exposed industry;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Credit for early action investments made by cement producers to reduce emissions or for the manufacturing of alternative materials that result in greenhouse gas emissions reductions;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The adoption of policies that encourage, facilitate, and offer financial incentives for the use of alternative fuel sources;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>The availability and cost of mature greenhouse gas abatement technologies; and</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>Advancing policies that provide financial incentives to offset the costs of installing and transitioning to greenhouse gas emissions abatement technologies, including the manufacturing of materials and technology that results in greenhouse gas emissions reductions.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>In considering the feasibility of regulation and the items under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the Department shall consult with impacted cement producers and other stakeholders.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-1206" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="12" subtitle_name="Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions"> <text>In developing and implementing the plans required by § 2–1205 of this subtitle, the Department shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Analyze the feasibility of measures to comply with the greenhouse gas emissions reductions required by this subtitle;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Consider the impact on rural communities of any transportation related measures proposed in the plans;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Provide that a greenhouse gas emissions source that voluntarily reduces its greenhouse gas emissions before the implementation of this subtitle shall receive appropriate credit for its early voluntary actions;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Provide for the use of offset credits generated by alternative compliance mechanisms executed within the State, including carbon sequestration projects, to achieve compliance with greenhouse gas emissions reductions required by this subtitle;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Ensure that the plans do not decrease the likelihood of reliable and affordable electrical service and statewide fuel supplies;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>Consider whether the measures would result in an increase in electricity costs to consumers in the State;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>Consider the impact of the plans on the ability of the State to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Attract, expand, and retain commercial aviation services; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Conserve, protect, and retain agriculture;</text> </level> </level> <level label="8"> <text>Ensure that the greenhouse gas emissions reduction measures implemented in accordance with the plans:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Are implemented in an efficient and cost–effective manner;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Do not disproportionately impact rural or low–income, low– to moderate–income, or minority communities or any other particular class of electricity ratepayers;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Minimize leakage;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Are quantifiable, verifiable, and enforceable;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>Directly cause no loss of existing jobs in the manufacturing sector;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>Produce a net economic benefit to the State’s economy and a net increase in jobs in the State, as compared with a no–action scenario; and</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>Encourage new employment opportunities in the State related to energy conservation, alternative energy supply, and greenhouse gas emissions reduction technologies, particularly in areas of the State experiencing a combination of urban heat and climate impacts;</text> </level> </level> <level label="9"> <text>Incorporate top–down methane emissions data acquired through aircraft observations; and</text> </level> <level label="10"> <text>Use the best available scientific information, as included in the most recent assessments and reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-1207" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="12" subtitle_name="Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>An institution of higher education in the State shall conduct an independent study of the economic impact of requiring greenhouse gas emissions reductions from the State’s manufacturing sector.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Maryland Commission on Climate Change shall oversee the independent study required by this section.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>On or before October 1, 2022, the institution of higher education responsible for the independent study shall complete and submit the study to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-1208" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="12" subtitle_name="Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions"> <level label="a"> <text>A greenhouse gas emissions source in the State’s manufacturing sector that implements a voluntary greenhouse gas emissions reduction plan that is approved by the Department on or before January 1, 2012, may be eligible to receive voluntary early action credits under any future State law requiring greenhouse gas emissions reductions from the manufacturing sector.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A voluntary greenhouse gas emissions reduction plan may include measures to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Reduce energy use and increase process efficiency; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Facilitate industry–wide research and development directed toward future measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-1209" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="12" subtitle_name="Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions"> <level label="a"> <text>The Department shall prepare an annual report on the greenhouse gas emissions reductions achieved as a result of the adoption of electric vehicles in the State.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>On or before December 31, 2027, and each December 31 thereafter, the Department shall submit the report required under subsection (a) of this section, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, to the Senate Committee on Education, Energy, and the Environment and the House Environment and Transportation Committee.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-1210" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="12" subtitle_name="Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions"> <text>On review of the study required under § 2–1207 of this subtitle, and the reports required under § 2–1211 of this subtitle, the General Assembly:</text> <level label="1"> <text>May act to maintain, revise, or eliminate the greenhouse gas emissions reductions required under §§ 2–1204.1 and 2–1204.2 of this subtitle; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Shall consider whether to continue the special manufacturing provisions in § 2–1205(f)(1) of this subtitle.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-1211" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="12" subtitle_name="Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions"> <text>The Department shall monitor implementation of the plans required under § 2–1205 of this subtitle and shall submit a report, on or before October 1, 2022, and every 5 years thereafter, to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly that describes the State’s progress toward achieving:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The reductions in greenhouse gas emissions required under this subtitle, or any revisions conducted in accordance with § 2–1210 of this subtitle; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The greenhouse gas emissions reductions needed by 2050 in order to avoid dangerous anthropogenic changes to the Earth’s climate system, based on the predominant view of the scientific community at the time of the latest report.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-1212" effective_note="EFFECTIVE UNTIL JUNE 30, 2031 PER CHAPTER 645 OF 2021" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="12" subtitle_name="Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>It is the policy of the State to support and encourage public and private tree–planting efforts, with a goal of planting and helping to maintain in the State 5,000,000 sustainable trees of species native to the State by the end of calendar year 2031.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>This goal:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Is in addition to any trees projected to be planted under programs described in the 2019 Draft Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Plan; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Includes native tree plantings accomplished through State programs and through the efforts of nonprofit and private organizations.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>It is the intent of the General Assembly that at least 500,000 of the 5,000,000 trees called for by this subsection should be planted in an “underserved area”, as defined in § 8–1911 of the Natural Resources Article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The Department:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Is responsible for tracking the State’s progress toward meeting the goals established under subsection (a) of this section; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Shall serve as the lead agency to receive data from:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The Maryland Department of Agriculture regarding tree plantings accomplished through the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program and other agricultural initiatives;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Department of Natural Resources regarding tree plantings accomplished through the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays 2010 Trust Fund, the Mel Noland Woodland Incentives Fund, and other forestry initiatives; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The Chesapeake Bay Trust regarding tree plantings accomplished through the Urban Trees Program.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>There is a 5 Million Tree Program Coordinator within the Department.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The primary responsibility of the Program Coordinator is to promote, facilitate, and align the State’s efforts to achieve the goals established under subsection (a)(1) of this section.</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>On or before December 1 each year, the Program Coordinator shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Consolidate data on tree plantings from multiple sources; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Report, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, to the Senate Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee and the House Environment and Transportation Committee on the State’s progress toward meeting the goals established under subsection (a) of this section.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Governor shall formally pledge the State’s commitment to achieving the goals established under subsection (a) of this section through the U.S. Chapter of the World Economic Forum’s One Trillion Trees Initiative.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-1213" effective_note="EFFECTIVE UNTIL MAY 31, 2029 PER CHAPTER 322 OF 2026" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="12" subtitle_name="Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions"> <level label="a"> <text>On or before July 1, 2026, and every 6 months thereafter, the Department shall report to the General Assembly, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, on:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Any changes in federal environmental policy that have been deemed legally valid by a final decision of a federal court, including any change that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Rescinds a finding that the greenhouse gas emissions from new motor vehicles and engines cause air pollution that may endanger public health or welfare;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Repeals greenhouse gas emissions standards for motor vehicles and engines;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Repeals greenhouse gas emissions standards for stationary sources; or</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Impacts the Department’s administration of any federally delegated authority; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If there has been a change in federal environmental policy that is required to be reported under paragraph (1) of this section, the steps the State is taking in response to the change.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The initial report submitted under subsection (a) of this section shall describe any changes in federal environmental policy that have occurred since January 1, 2024.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Each report submitted after the initial report shall describe any changes in federal environmental policy that have occurred during the immediately preceding 6 month period.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-1301" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="13" subtitle_name="Maryland Commission on Climate Change"> <level label="a"> <text>There is a Commission on Climate Change in the Department to advise the Governor and General Assembly on ways to mitigate the causes of, prepare for, and adapt to the consequences of climate change.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Department and the Department of Natural Resources shall jointly staff the Commission.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-1302" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="13" subtitle_name="Maryland Commission on Climate Change"> <level label="a"> <text>The Commission’s membership shall consist of the following members:</text> <level label="1"> <text>One member of the House of Delegates, appointed by the Speaker of the House;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>One member of the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The Comptroller, or the Comptroller’s designee;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The Secretary of the Environment, or the Secretary’s designee;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>The Secretary of Agriculture, or the Secretary’s designee;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>The Secretary of Natural Resources, or the Secretary’s designee;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>The Secretary of Planning, or the Secretary’s designee;</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>The State Superintendent of Schools, or the State Superintendent’s designee;</text> </level> <level label="9"> <text>The Secretary of Transportation, or the Secretary’s designee;</text> </level> <level label="10"> <text>The Secretary of General Services, or the Secretary’s designee;</text> </level> <level label="11"> <text>The Secretary of Emergency Management, or the Secretary’s designee;</text> </level> <level label="12"> <text>The Director of the Maryland Energy Administration, or the Director’s designee;</text> </level> <level label="13"> <text>The People’s Counsel, or the People’s Counsel’s designee;</text> </level> <level label="14"> <text>The President of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, or the President’s designee;</text> </level> <level label="15"> <text>The Chair of the Critical Area Commission for the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays, or the Chair’s designee;</text> </level> <level label="16"> <text>The Chair of the Public Service Commission, or the Chair’s designee;</text> </level> <level label="17"> <text>One member appointed by the Farm Bureau representing the agriculture community;</text> </level> <level label="18"> <text>One member appointed by the Maryland Association of Counties and one member appointed by the Maryland Municipal League to represent local governments;</text> </level> <level label="19"> <text>One member appointed by the President of the Senate and one member appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates to represent the business community;</text> </level> <level label="20"> <text>One member appointed by the President of the Senate and one member appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates to represent environmental nonprofit organizations;</text> </level> <level label="21"> <text>One member appointed by the President of the Senate and one member appointed by the Speaker of the House to represent organized labor, one of whom shall represent the building or construction trades and one of whom shall represent the manufacturing industry;</text> </level> <level label="22"> <text>One member appointed by the President of the Senate and one member appointed by the Speaker of the House to represent philanthropic organizations;</text> </level> <level label="23"> <text>One climate change expert appointed by the Governor representing a university located in Maryland; and</text> </level> <level label="24"> <text>One public health expert appointed by the Governor representing a university located in Maryland.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Secretary of the Environment or the Secretary’s designee shall chair the Commission.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, the term of an appointed member is 2 years.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Governor, President of the Senate, and Speaker of the House of Delegates shall stagger the terms of the initial appointed members.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>At the end of a term, a member continues to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>A member who is appointed after a term has begun serves only for the remainder of that term and until a successor is appointed and qualifies.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>The Governor may remove an appointed member for incompetence, misconduct, or failure to perform the duties of the position.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>A member of the Commission may not receive compensation, but is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-1303" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="13" subtitle_name="Maryland Commission on Climate Change"> <level label="a"> <text>The Commission shall establish:</text> <level label="1"> <text>A Scientific and Technical Working Group;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Working Group;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>An Adaptation and Response Working Group;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>An Education, Communication, and Outreach Working Group;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Subject to § 2–1303.1 of this subtitle, a Just Transition Employment and Retraining Working Group;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>Subject to § 2–1303.2 of this subtitle, an Energy Industry Revitalization Working Group;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>Subject to § 2–1303.3 of this subtitle, an Energy Resilience and Efficiency Working Group; and</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>Subject to § 2–1303.4 of this subtitle, a Solar Photovoltaic Systems Recovery, Reuse, and Recycling Working Group.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Commission may establish other working groups as needed.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Chair of the Commission shall appoint working group members who represent both public and private interests in climate change, including representatives of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Academic institutions;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Renewable and traditional energy providers;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Environmental organizations;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Government agencies;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Labor organizations; and</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>Business interests, including the insurance and real estate industries.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The Commission shall prioritize working group actions, including:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Strengthening and maintaining existing State climate action plans;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Developing broad public and private partnerships with local, State, and federal agencies;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Communicating with and educating citizens about the urgency of acting to reduce the impacts of climate change;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Maintaining an inventory of Maryland’s greenhouse gas emissions sources and carbon sinks;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Addressing any disproportionate impacts of climate change on low–income and vulnerable communities;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>Assessing the impacts that climate change may have on the State’s economy, revenues, and investment decisions;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>Assessing the needs for utilities and other public and private service providers throughout the State to adjust their operating practices and investment strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change on their customers and the public;</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>Assessing the impacts that climate change may have on agriculture in the State;</text> </level> <level label="9"> <text>Recommending short– and long–term strategies and initiatives to better mitigate, prepare for, and adapt to the consequences of climate change;</text> </level> <level label="10"> <text>Assisting local governments in supporting community–scale climate vulnerability assessments and the development and integration of specific strategies into local plans and ordinances;</text> </level> <level label="11"> <text>Establishing comprehensive and accountable annual working group work plans that set annual goals and performance benchmarks and prioritize new and existing climate change mitigation and preparedness actions and initiatives;</text> </level> <level label="12"> <text>Maintaining a comprehensive action plan, with 5–year benchmarks, to achieve science–based reductions in Maryland’s greenhouse gas emissions;</text> </level> <level label="13"> <text>Convening regular working group and full Commission meetings to ensure that sufficient progress is being made across all sectors and communities in Maryland; and</text> </level> <level label="14"> <text>Considering other related matters as the Commission determines to be necessary.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-1303.1" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="13" subtitle_name="Maryland Commission on Climate Change"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “Working Group” means the Just Transition Employment and Retraining Working Group of the Commission.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Commission shall establish a Just Transition Employment and Retraining Working Group.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Working Group shall include:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Two members of the Senate of Maryland, appointed by the President of the Senate;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Two members of the House of Delegates, appointed by the Speaker of the House;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The Secretary, or the Secretary’s designee;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The Secretary of Labor, or the Secretary’s designee;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>The Secretary of Transportation, or the Secretary’s designee;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>One electrical worker, selected by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>One construction laborer, selected by the Baltimore Washington Laborers’ District Council;</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>Two representatives of the building and construction trade industry, selected by the Baltimore–DC Metro Building and Construction Trades Council;</text> </level> <level label="9"> <text>Four labor representatives, three selected by the Maryland State AFL–CIO and one selected by the Mid–Atlantic Pipe Trades Association;</text> </level> <level label="10"> <text>One representative of the energy efficiency industry, selected by the Secretary;</text> </level> <level label="11"> <text>Two representatives of environmental organizations, selected by the Governor;</text> </level> <level label="12"> <text>One representative of the solar energy industry, selected by the Chesapeake Solar and Storage Association;</text> </level> <level label="13"> <text>One representative of the wind energy industry, selected by the American Clean Power Association;</text> </level> <level label="14"> <text>One representative of the geothermal energy industry selected by the Maryland Geothermal Association;</text> </level> <level label="15"> <text>Two representatives of registered apprenticeship sponsors, one selected by the Maryland Chapters of the Associated Builders and Contractors and one selected by the Baltimore–DC Metro Building and Construction Trades Council;</text> </level> <level label="16"> <text>One community college representative, selected by the Maryland Association of Community Colleges;</text> </level> <level label="17"> <text>One representative who is a veteran, selected by the Maryland Military Coalition;</text> </level> <level label="18"> <text>One representative who is a formerly incarcerated individual, selected by the Legal Action Center National H.I.R.E. Networks;</text> </level> <level label="19"> <text>Two at–large representatives who are women in affected industries, selected by the Governor;</text> </level> <level label="20"> <text>Two representatives selected by the Maryland State Chapter of the NAACP;</text> </level> <level label="21"> <text>One heating oil or propane distributor in the State, selected by the Secretary;</text> </level> <level label="22"> <text>One representative of municipal electric utilities, selected by the Public Service Commission; and</text> </level> <level label="23"> <text>One representative of investor–owned utilities, selected by the Public Service Commission.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The Secretary shall designate the chair of the Working Group.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The Department shall provide staff for the Working Group.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>A member of the Working Group:</text> <level label="1"> <text>May not receive compensation as a member of the Working Group; but</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget.</text> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <text>The Working Group shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Advise the Commission on issues and opportunities for workforce development and training related to energy efficiency measures, renewable energy, and other clean energy technologies, with specific focus on training and workforce opportunities for:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Segments of the population that may be underrepresented in the clean energy workforce, such as veterans, women, and formerly incarcerated individuals; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Dislocated workers affected by the downsizing of fossil fuel industries;</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Identify:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Energy–intensive industries and related trades;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Sites of electric generating facilities that may be closed as a result of a transition to renewable energy sources;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Sector–specific impacts of the State’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction plan on the State’s current workforce;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Avenues to maximize the skills and expertise of Maryland workers in the new energy economy;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>Challenges and opportunities related to minimizing adverse employment and financial impacts on displaced workers and their communities through environmental policies conditioned on the fair distribution of costs and benefits; and</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>Resources necessary to protect workers from economic insecurity, including options for maintaining or supplementing retirement and health care benefits for dislocated workers affected by the downsizing of fossil fuel industries;</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Advise the Commission on the potential impacts of carbon leakage risks on Maryland industries and local host communities, including the impact of any potential greenhouse gas emissions reduction measures on the competitiveness of Maryland businesses and industry; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Conduct a study of:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The number of jobs created to counter climate impacts, including in the energy sector, building sector, transportation sector, and working lands sector;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The projected inventory of jobs needed and skills and training required to meet future demand for jobs to counter climate impacts;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Workforce disruption due to community changes caused by the transition to a low–carbon economy; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Strategies for targeting workforce development and job creation in fenceline communities that have historically borne the brunt of hosting carbon polluters.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="h"> <text>On or before December 31, 2023, the Working Group shall report to the Commission and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly on the findings of the study required under subsection (g)(4) of this section.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-1303.2" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="13" subtitle_name="Maryland Commission on Climate Change"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “Working Group” means the Energy Industry Revitalization Working Group of the Commission.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Commission shall establish an Energy Industry Revitalization Working Group.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Working Group shall include:</text> <level label="1"> <text>One member of the Senate of Maryland, appointed by the President of the Senate;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>One member of the House of Delegates, appointed by the Speaker of the House;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The Secretary, or the Secretary’s designee;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The Secretary of Commerce, or the Secretary’s designee;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>One representative of the National Federation of Independent Business, selected by the State director of the National Federation of Independent Business;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>One representative of the Maryland Chamber of Commerce, selected by the President and CEO of the Maryland Chamber of Commerce;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>One representative of the Maryland Small Business Development Center, selected by the regional directors of the Maryland Small Business Development Center; and</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>Six representatives of the energy industry, including:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Two representatives selected by the Secretary;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Two representatives selected by the Public Service Commission; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Two representatives selected by the Director of the Maryland Energy Administration.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The Secretary shall designate the chair of the Working Group.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The Department shall provide staff for the Working Group.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>A member of the Working Group:</text> <level label="1"> <text>May not receive compensation as a member of the Working Group; but</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget.</text> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <text>The Working Group shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Advise the Commission on issues and opportunities related to small business revitalization and the transition to renewable energy’s effects on small businesses;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Conduct a study of the impacts of transitioning to renewable energy; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Include in the study:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The number of small businesses impacted by the transition to renewable energy;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The projected cost of transitioning existing small businesses to renewable energy;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The economic impact of the transition to renewable energy and new energy sources, including supply chain impacts;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>An analysis that identifies energy generating facilities that may close as a result of a transition to renewable energy, including issues and opportunities related to repurposing the sites; and</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>An analysis that identifies or estimates, to the extent practicable:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The timing and location of facility closures and layoffs in nonrenewable energy industries;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The impact of facility closures and layoffs on affected workers, businesses, and communities; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>How the Commission can most effectively respond to the impact of facility closures and layoffs, including the potential to:</text> </level> <level label="A"> <text>Compensate businesses that closed due to the effects of the transition to renewable energy; and</text> </level> <level label="B"> <text>Incentivize businesses to transition to renewable energy through subsidies.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> <level label="h"> <text>On or before December 31, 2023, the Working Group shall report to the Commission and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly on the findings of the study required under subsection (g) of this section.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-1303.3" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="13" subtitle_name="Maryland Commission on Climate Change"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “Working Group” means the Energy Resilience and Efficiency Working Group of the Commission.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Commission shall establish an Energy Resilience and Efficiency Working Group.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Working Group shall include:</text> <level label="1"> <text>One member of the Senate of Maryland, appointed by the President of the Senate;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>One member of the House of Delegates, appointed by the Speaker of the House;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The Secretary, or the Secretary’s designee;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The Director of the Maryland Energy Administration;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Three representatives of the nuclear energy industry, selected by the Director of the Maryland Energy Administration;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>Three representatives of the energy transmission infrastructure industry, selected by the Public Service Commission; and</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>Three representatives of the energy storage and backup industry, selected by the Secretary.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The Secretary shall designate the chair of the Working Group.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The Department shall provide staff for the Working Group.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>A member of the Working Group:</text> <level label="1"> <text>May not receive compensation as a member of the Working Group; but</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget.</text> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <text>The Working Group shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Advise the Commission on issues and opportunities related to energy infrastructure improvements, transmission efficiency improvements, and battery backup viability; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Conduct a study of:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Methods for the State to encourage electricity storage technology research;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Methods of increasing the security of the electricity grid by supporting distributed renewable energy projects and energy storage with the potential to supply electric energy to critical facilities during a widespread power outage;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Potential electric grid distribution transformation projects;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>The potential to develop clean energy resources on previously developed project sites; and</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>The lifespan and viability of energy facilities in the State that do not emit greenhouse gas, including:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Solar energy generating facilities;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Nuclear energy generating facilities;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Wind energy generating facilities;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Geothermal energy generating facilities;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Hydroelectric energy generating facilities; and</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>Biofuel energy generating facilities.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> <level label="h"> <text>On or before December 31, 2023, the Working Group shall report to the Commission and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly on the findings of the study required under subsection (g)(2) of this section.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-1303.4" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="13" subtitle_name="Maryland Commission on Climate Change"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “Working Group” means the Solar Photovoltaic Systems Recovery, Reuse, and Recycling Working Group of the Commission.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Commission shall establish a Solar Photovoltaic Systems Recovery, Reuse, and Recycling Working Group.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Working Group shall include:</text> <level label="1"> <text>One member of the Senate of Maryland, appointed by the President of the Senate;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>One member of the House of Delegates, appointed by the Speaker of the House;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The Secretary, or the Secretary’s designee;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The Director of the Maryland Energy Administration, or the Director’s designee;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>The Secretary of Natural Resources, or the Secretary’s designee;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>One representative of the Public Service Commission, selected by the Chair of the Commission;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>One representative of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, selected by the Chesapeake Climate Action Network;</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>The following members, appointed by the Governor:</text> <level label="i"> <text>One representative of an investor–owned electric company with customers in the State;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>One representative of the utility–scale solar industry;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>One representative of the community solar energy industry;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>One representative of the distributed generation solar industry;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>One representative with expertise in solar photovoltaic systems recovery, reuse, and recycling; and</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>One individual with expertise in decommissioning energy–related projects; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="9"> <text>Any other individual identified by the Commission.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The Secretary shall designate the chair of the Working Group.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The Department shall provide staff for the Working Group.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>A member of the Working Group:</text> <level label="1"> <text>May not receive compensation as a member of the Working Group; but</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget.</text> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <text>The Working Group shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Review solar photovoltaic systems currently used in the State, including:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Examining the expected economically productive life cycle of the systems;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Reviewing the materials that are used, have been used, or may be used in solar photovoltaic systems sold in the State, including identifying materials that can be recycled or that exhibit any characteristics of hazardous waste under State or federal law; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Identifying the number of solar photovoltaic systems in use and estimating the potential impacts on the State’s landfill capacity of disposing the systems in the State’s landfills;</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Review other programs on solar photovoltaic systems recycling, disposal, and decommissioning;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Identify ongoing and recent studies related to solar photovoltaic systems recycling, life–cycle analysis, and end–of–life programs;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Review industry–approved best practices for managing end–of–life solar photovoltaic systems and their components, including the extent to which the systems and components may be:</text> <level label="i"> <text>If not damaged or in need of repair, reused for a similar purpose;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>If not substantially damaged, refurbished and reused for a similar purpose;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Recycled and the components recovered for reuse;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>For components that do not exhibit any characteristics of hazardous waste under State or federal law, safely disposed of in a construction and demolition or municipal solid waste landfill; and</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>For components that exhibit any characteristics of hazardous waste under State or federal law, safely disposed of in accordance with State and federal requirements;</text> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Perform an economic analysis to determine the potential impact of solar photovoltaic systems recovery, reuse, and recycling on ratepayers, including a comparison to the economic impact on ratepayers of decommissioning, storing waste, and other costs associated with the end of life of other forms of energy generation;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>Perform an impact assessment to examine the environmental impacts of various solar photovoltaic systems’ end–of–life scenarios, including the scenarios specified under item (4) of this subsection, compared to the life–cycle environmental impacts of nonsolar energy generation sources in the State, including the environmental impacts of decommissioning, disposal, and long–term waste storage;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>Perform an impact assessment to examine the environmental and economic benefits of generating energy from solar photovoltaic systems, including a comparison to the environmental and economic benefits of nonsolar energy generation sources in the State;</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>Examine and recommend infrastructure needed to develop a practical, effective, and cost–efficient method for collecting and transporting end–of–life solar photovoltaic modules for reuse, refurbishment, recycling, or disposal;</text> </level> <level label="9"> <text>Analyze whether financing mechanisms, including advance recovery fees, recycling and disposal fees, and product stewardship programs, are necessary to ensure proper end–of–life management of solar photovoltaic systems; and</text> </level> <level label="10"> <text>Recommend financing mechanisms analyzed under item (9) of this subsection that best support a circular economy approach.</text> </level> </level> <level label="h"> <text>On or before December 31, 2023, the Working Group shall report its findings and recommendations to the Commission and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-1304" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="13" subtitle_name="Maryland Commission on Climate Change"> <level label="a"> <text>On or before December 15 of each year, the Commission shall report to the Governor and General Assembly, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, on the status of the State’s efforts to mitigate the causes of, prepare for, and adapt to the consequences of climate change, including future plans and recommendations for legislation, if any, to be considered by the General Assembly.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The report due on or before December 15, 2023, and each subsequent report shall include an analysis, prepared by the Department, of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The total amount of State money spent on measures to reduce greenhouse gases and, to the extent practicable, co–pollutants, during the immediately preceding fiscal year; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The percentage of that funding that benefited disproportionately affected communities identified according to the methodology adopted by the Department under § 1–702 of this article.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-1305" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="13" subtitle_name="Maryland Commission on Climate Change"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>Each State agency shall review its planning, regulatory, and fiscal programs to identify and recommend actions to more fully integrate the consideration of Maryland’s greenhouse gas reduction goal and the impacts of climate change.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The review shall include the consideration of:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Sea level rise;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Storm surges and flooding;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Increased precipitation and temperature; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Extreme weather events.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Each State agency shall identify and recommend specific policy, planning, regulatory, and fiscal changes to existing programs that do not currently support the State’s greenhouse gas reduction efforts or address climate change.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>The following State agencies shall report annually on the status of programs that support the State’s greenhouse gas reduction efforts or address climate change, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, to the Commission and the Governor:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The Department;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The Department of Agriculture;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The Department of General Services;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>The Department of Housing and Community Development;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>The Department of Natural Resources;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>The Department of Planning;</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>The Department of Transportation;</text> </level> <level label="viii"> <text>The Maryland Energy Administration;</text> </level> <level label="ix"> <text>The Maryland Insurance Administration;</text> </level> <level label="x"> <text>The Public Service Commission; and</text> </level> <level label="xi"> <text>The University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The report required in paragraph (1) of this subsection shall include:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Program descriptions and objectives;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Implementation milestones, whether or not they have been met;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Enhancement opportunities;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Funding;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>Challenges;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>Estimated greenhouse gas emissions reductions, by program, for the prior calendar year; and</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>Any other information that the agency considers relevant.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>Each State agency, when conducting long–term planning, developing policy, and drafting regulations, shall take into consideration:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The likely climate impact of the agency’s decisions relative to Maryland’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The likely impact of the agency’s decisions on disproportionately affected communities identified according to the methodology adopted by the Department under § 1–702 of this article.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-1306" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="13" subtitle_name="Maryland Commission on Climate Change"> <level label="a"> <text>The University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science shall establish science–based sea level rise projections for Maryland’s coastal areas and update them at least every 5 years.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The science–based sea level rise projections shall include maps that indicate the areas of the State that may be most affected by storm surges, flooding, and extreme weather events.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The science–based sea level rise projections required under this section shall be made publicly available on the Internet.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-1401" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="14" subtitle_name="U.S. Climate Alliance"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>On or before July 1, 2018, the Governor shall include the State as a member of the U.S. Climate Alliance.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Governor may withdraw the State from the U.S. Climate Alliance only if the General Assembly enacts a law to approve the withdrawal.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>On or before December 1, 2018, and on or before December 1 each year thereafter, the Governor shall report to the Senate Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee and the House Environment and Transportation Committee, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, on the State’s participation in the U.S. Climate Alliance, including:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Any collaborations or partnerships among the Alliance members or external stakeholders; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Any policies or programs that the Alliance has endorsed, undertaken, or considered.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-1501" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="15" subtitle_name="Zero–emission Vehicle School Buses"> <level label="a"> <text>In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>“Fund” means the Zero–Emission Vehicle School Bus Transition Fund.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>“Program” means the Zero–Emission Vehicle School Bus Transition Grant Program.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>“Zero–emission vehicle” has the meaning stated in § 23–206.4 of the Transportation Article.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-1502" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="15" subtitle_name="Zero–emission Vehicle School Buses"> <text>The Department and the Department of Transportation jointly shall provide technical assistance to county boards of education and entities that contract with county boards to provide transportation services for transitioning to the use of school buses that are zero–emission vehicles throughout the State.</text> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-1503" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="15" subtitle_name="Zero–emission Vehicle School Buses"> <level label="a"> <text>There is a Zero–Emission Vehicle School Bus Transition Grant Program in the State.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The purpose of the Program is to provide grants to county boards of education and entities that contract with county boards to provide transportation services to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Purchase school buses that are zero–emission vehicles;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Install electric vehicle infrastructure for charging school buses that are zero–emission vehicles;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Engage in planning for a transition to using school buses that are zero–emission vehicles; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Fund pilot programs to experiment with a transition to school buses that are zero–emission vehicles.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Department, in consultation with the State Department of Education, shall implement and administer the Program.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>If the Department receives any funds as a result of a legal settlement that are earmarked for the purpose of transitioning to school buses that are zero–emission vehicles, the funds shall be made available to award grants in accordance with this section.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>In addition to any funding provided under paragraph (1) of this subsection, funding for the Program consists of:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Money appropriated in the State budget for the Program; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Any additional money made available to the Program from any private or public sources.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The Department may adopt regulations to implement this section.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-1504" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="15" subtitle_name="Zero–emission Vehicle School Buses"> <level label="a"> <text>There is a Zero–Emission Vehicle School Bus Transition Fund.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The purpose of the Fund is to provide funding for the Program.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Department, in consultation with the State Department of Education, shall administer the Fund.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>The Fund is a special, nonlapsing fund that is not subject to § 7–302 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The State Treasurer shall hold the Fund separately, and the Comptroller shall account for the Fund.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The Fund consists of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Money appropriated in the State budget to the Fund;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Interest earnings of the Fund;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Donations;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Money derived from legal settlements earmarked for the purpose of transitioning to school buses that are zero–emission vehicles; and</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Any other money from any other source accepted for the benefit of the Fund.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>The Fund may be used only for the Program.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <level label="1"> <text>The State Treasurer shall invest the money of the Fund in the same manner as other State money may be invested.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Any interest earnings of the Fund shall be credited to the Fund.</text> </level> </level> <level label="h"> <text>Expenditures from the Fund may be made only in accordance with the State budget.</text> </level> <level label="i"> <text>Money expended from the Fund for the Program is supplemental to and is not intended to take the place of funding that otherwise would be appropriated for the Program.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-1505" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="15" subtitle_name="Zero–emission Vehicle School Buses"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “incremental costs” means:</text> <level label="1"> <text>In the case of a contract for the purchase of school buses, the cost difference between purchasing and operating school buses that are zero–emission vehicles and school buses that are diesel–powered vehicles; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>In the case of a contract for the use of school buses, the cost difference between contracting for the use of school buses that are zero–emission vehicles and school buses that are diesel–powered vehicles.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, beginning in fiscal year 2025, a county board of education may not enter into a new contract for:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The purchase of any school bus that is not a zero–emission vehicle; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The use of any school bus that is not a zero–emission vehicle, unless the school bus has an in–service date of July 1, 2024, or before.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The requirements of subsection (b) of this section do not apply if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The Department determines that no available zero–emission vehicle meets the performance requirements for the county board’s use; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The county board is unable to obtain federal, State, or private funding sufficient to cover the incremental costs associated with contracting for the purchase or use of school buses that are zero–emission vehicles.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>A county board may enter into an agreement with an electric company to obtain monetary incentives in exchange for allowing the electric company to use the storage batteries of zero–emission buses owned or operated by the county board to access the stored electricity through vehicle–to–grid technology.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The Department, in consultation with other appropriate State agencies, shall work with the county boards and private school bus contractors to develop electric vehicle infrastructure sufficient to support school buses that are zero–emission vehicles.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>The Department shall prioritize the use of available federal funding to carry out this section.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-1601" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="16" subtitle_name="Building Energy Performance Standards"> <level label="a"> <text>In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>“Agricultural building” means a structure that is used primarily to cultivate, manufacture, process, or produce agricultural crops, raw materials, products, or commodities.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Agricultural building” includes a greenhouse.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>“Building” has the meaning stated in the International Building Code.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>“Commercial building” means a building that is subject to the commercial provisions of the International Energy Conservation Code.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>“Covered building” means a building that:</text> <level label="i"> <level label="1"> <text>Is a commercial or multifamily residential building in the State; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Is owned by the State; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Has a gross floor area of 35,000 square feet or more, excluding the parking garage area.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Covered building” does not include:</text> <level label="i"> <text>A building designated as a historic property under federal, State, or local law;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A public or nonpublic elementary or secondary school building;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>A hospital;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>A manufacturing building; or</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>An agricultural building.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>“Critical infrastructure” has the meaning stated in § 1–101 of the Public Utilities Article.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <text>“Direct greenhouse gas emissions” means greenhouse gas emissions produced on–site by covered buildings.</text> </level> <level label="h"> <text>“District energy” means thermal energy generated at one or more central facilities that produce hot water, steam, or chilled water that then flows through a network of insulated underground pipes to provide hot water, space heating, air conditioning, or chilled water to nearby buildings..</text> </level> <level label="i"> <text>“Manufacturing building” means a facility in which manufacturing, as defined in § 2–1202 of this article, takes place.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-1602" future_version_removed="true" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="16" subtitle_name="Building Energy Performance Standards"> <level label="a"> <text>The Department shall develop building energy performance standards for covered buildings that achieve:</text> <level label="1"> <text>A 20% reduction in net direct greenhouse gas emissions on or before January 1, 2030, as compared with 2025 levels for average buildings of similar construction; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Net–zero direct greenhouse gas emissions on or before January 1, 2040.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>To facilitate the development of building energy performance standards under this section, the Department shall require the owners of covered buildings to measure and report direct emissions data to the Department annually beginning in 2025.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>On or before June 1, 2023, the Department shall adopt regulations to implement this section.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Regulations adopted under this section shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Subject to items (ii), (iii), (iv), and (v) of this paragraph, include energy use intensity targets by building type;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>As necessary, include special provisions or exceptions to account for:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Building age;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Regional differences;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The unique needs of particular building or occupancy types, including health care facilities, laboratories, assisted living and nursing facilities, military buildings, critical infrastructure, and buildings used in life sciences as defined in § 3–201 of the Economic Development Article;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The use of district energy systems and biofuels by covered buildings;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Crediting the generation of on–site renewable energy by covered buildings toward their energy use intensity targets;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>Crediting the greenhouse gas reduction impact of the on–site use of biomethane;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>Excluding the energy use and greenhouse gas emissions related to the production of steam for sterilization in a health care facility, laboratory, assisted living and nursing facility, military building, or building used in life sciences; and</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>Excluding the energy use and greenhouse gas emissions related to the generation of emergency backup power at a health care facility, laboratory, assisted living and nursing facility, military building, critical infrastructure, or building used in life sciences;</text> </level> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Consider the needs of the owners of covered buildings who:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Are not responsible for the design, modification, fixtures, or equipment of commercial tenants;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Do not have access to or control over building energy systems that are used or controlled by commercial tenants; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Own buildings occupied by commercial tenants who are responsible for all maintenance of and repairs to the buildings;</text> </level> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Subject to paragraph (3) of this subsection, exempt from energy use intensity targets a covered building that contains an area designed, built, and operated as a permanent sensitive compartmented information facility and is operated by an agency or contractor of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The U.S. General Services Administration;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="A"> <text>The U.S. Department of Defense;</text> </level> </level> <level label="B"> <text>The National Security Agency;</text> </level> <level label="C"> <text>The U.S. Department of Homeland Security; or</text> </level> <level label="D"> <text>Any other U.S. intelligence agency; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The State;</text> </level> </level> <level label="v"> <text>Exempt an owner of a covered building from energy use intensity reporting requirements if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The covered building meets the criteria under item (iv) of this paragraph; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>In circumstances where tenant authorization is required, the tenant or occupant does not provide energy use information to the owner of the covered building due to concerns about the confidentiality of the building’s secure area;</text> </level> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>Provide maximum flexibility to the owners of covered buildings to comply with building energy performance standards;</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>Subject to paragraph (3) of this subsection, include an alternative compliance pathway allowing the owner of a covered building to pay a fee for greenhouse gas emissions attributable to the building’s failure to meet direct greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets;</text> </level> <level label="viii"> <text>To the extent authorized by law, include financial incentives recommended by the Building Energy Transition Implementation Task Force; and</text> </level> <level label="ix"> <text>Include an annual reporting fee of $100 per covered building, adjusted for inflation, to cover the administrative costs of the program.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The Department may not set an alternative compliance fee that is less than the social cost of greenhouse gases adopted by the Department or the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <level label="i"> <text>Subject to subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, the Department shall certify a building energy performance standards program adopted by a county administering a building energy performance standards program on or before March 1, 2025, and waive the requirement for covered buildings in the county to comply with the statewide program adopted under this section.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A county administering a building energy performance standards program certified by the Department under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph may take appropriate actions to enforce the standards, including:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Establishing alternative compliance pathways for complying with energy use intensity and direct greenhouse gas emissions requirements established in the standards;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Imposing and collecting alternative compliance fees up to the same amount and in the same manner allowed by the Department under this section; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Imposing and collecting penalties up to the same amount and in the same manner allowed by the Department under § 2–610 of this title.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Nothing in this section shall preclude a county administering a building energy performance standards program certified by the Department under paragraph (4)(i) of this subsection from:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Adopting building energy performance standards for buildings that are not covered buildings under the statewide program adopted under this section; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Modifying an adopted building performance standards program.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>Electric companies and gas companies shall provide energy data, including whole–building and aggregate data, to the owners of covered buildings for benchmarking purposes.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>In calculating the statewide standards developed by the Department under this section, an owner of a covered building may not consider greenhouse gas emissions or energy use by a commercial tenant of the covered building that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Is a food service facility as defined in COMAR 10.15.03.02; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Engages in commercial cooking and water heating.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gen" article_name="Environment" number="2-1603" title_number="2" title_name="Ambient Air Quality Control" subtitle_number="16" subtitle_name="Building Energy Performance Standards"> <level label="a"> <text>Beginning July 1, 2026, within 10 business days after a county or municipality accepts a permit application for a new building that has a proposed gross floor area of 35,000 square feet or more, excluding the parking garage area, the county or municipality shall provide notice of the permit application to the Department.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The notice required under subsection (a) of this section shall include:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The address of the proposed building;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The building permit application number;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The total square footage of the proposed building;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The proposed building type;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>The energy sources planned for use in the proposed building; and</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>The contact information for the owner of the proposed building.</text> </level> </level> </section>