Media Releases

Logging mature and old trees threatens U.S. climate goals

Forests

Logging mature and old trees threatens U.S. climate goals

 Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Thursday signed a memorandum to clarify the U.S. Forest Service’s direction on climate policy. The memo, "Climate Resilience and Carbon Stewardship of America's National Forests and Grasslands," follows a recent White House executive order highlighting the importance of conserving mature and old-growth forests on federal lands as a climate solution. The memo, which lays out “actions to restore forests, improve resilience, and address the climate crisis”, falls short in meeting the ambition outlined in President Joe Biden’s order on old forests and trees. Secretary Vilsack acknowledges the role that older trees play in absorbing and storing carbon and supporting biodiversity. But he fails to outline a plan for his agency to protect mature and old-growth forests and trees from commercial logging. 

Media Releases  

RESOURCE: The 10 most polluting power plants in Maryland

Fossil fuel pollution

RESOURCE: The 10 most polluting power plants in Maryland

Ahead of the Supreme Court’s decision on West Virginia vs Environmental Protection Agency, a case that will determine the EPA’s authority to regulate climate pollution, Environment Maryland Research & Policy Center and Maryland PIRG Foundation are releasing a new factsheet ranking Maryland’s dirtiest power plants.

Media Releases  

Florida Gov. DeSantis’s veto saves rooftop solar in Sunshine State

Solar power

Florida Gov. DeSantis’s veto saves rooftop solar in Sunshine State

Exercising his first veto of the 2022 legislative session, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday vetoed HB 741, a bill that would have gutted net metering in Florida. Net metering is the policy which compensates solar owners for the excess electricity they generate and then sell back to the grid. 

Media Releases  

Baltimore falls behind peers in solar power ranking report

Solar power

Baltimore falls behind peers in solar power ranking report

Baltimore lagged behind other major U.S. cities in solar power installations over the last two years according to the eighth edition of Environment Maryland Research & Policy Center’s report Shining Cities: The Top U.S. Cities for Solar Energy. The city ranked 43rd nationwide for installed solar energy capacity per capita. 

Media Releases  

Show More