CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html><html class="avada-html-layout-wide avada-html-header-position-top avada-html-is-archive" lang="en-US"><head><meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=edge" /><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"/><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" />  <script> !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s) {if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod? n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)}; if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0'; n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window, document,'script', 'https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js'); fbq('init', '5483662538396959'); fbq('track', 'PageView'); </script> <noscript><img height=""1"" width=""1"" style=""display:none"" src=""https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=5483662538396959&ev=PageView&noscript=1"" /></noscript>    <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=DC-11760696"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'DC-11760696'); </script>   <script> gtag('event', 'conversion', { 'allow_custom_scripts': true, 'send_to': 'DC-11760696/getou0/getou0+standard' }); </script> <script src="https://app.marylandconservation.civicengine.com/embed.js" async defer ></script><link rel="stylesheet" media="screen" href="https://app.marylandconservation.civicengine.com/embed.css" /> <noscript> <img src="https://ad.doubleclick.net/ddm/activity/src=11760696;type=getou0;cat=getou0;dc_lat=;dc_rdid=;tag_for_child_directed_treatment=;tfua=;npa=;gdpr=${GDPR};gdpr_consent=${GDPR_CONSENT_755};ord=1?" width="1" height="1" alt=""/> </noscript> <meta name='robots' content='index, follow, max-image-preview:large, max-snippet:-1, max-video-preview:-1' /> <style>img:is([sizes="auto" i], [sizes^="auto," i]) { contain-intrinsic-size: 3000px 1500px }</style>  <script type="text/javascript" id="google_gtagjs-js-consent-mode-data-layer"> /* <![CDATA[ */ window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || [];function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('consent', 'default', {"ad_personalization":"denied","ad_storage":"denied","ad_user_data":"denied","analytics_storage":"denied","functionality_storage":"denied","security_storage":"denied","personalization_storage":"denied","region":["AT","BE","BG","CH","CY","CZ","DE","DK","EE","ES","FI","FR","GB","GR","HR","HU","IE","IS","IT","LI","LT","LU","LV","MT","NL","NO","PL","PT","RO","SE","SI","SK"],"wait_for_update":500}); window._googlesitekitConsentCategoryMap = {"statistics":["analytics_storage"],"marketing":["ad_storage","ad_user_data","ad_personalization"],"functional":["functionality_storage","security_storage"],"preferences":["personalization_storage"]}; window._googlesitekitConsents = {"ad_personalization":"denied","ad_storage":"denied","ad_user_data":"denied","analytics_storage":"denied","functionality_storage":"denied","security_storage":"denied","personalization_storage":"denied","region":["AT","BE","BG","CH","CY","CZ","DE","DK","EE","ES","FI","FR","GB","GR","HR","HU","IE","IS","IT","LI","LT","LU","LV","MT","NL","NO","PL","PT","RO","SE","SI","SK"],"wait_for_update":500}; /* ]]> */ </script>  <title>Jason Aul, Author at Maryland League of Conservation Voters Education Fund</title><link rel="stylesheet" id="siteground-optimizer-combined-css-3960a3f628c8c6fdbe0742cb43b4b8e6" href="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/siteground-optimizer-assets/siteground-optimizer-combined-css-3960a3f628c8c6fdbe0742cb43b4b8e6.css" media="all" /><link rel="canonical" href="https://www.marylandconservation.org/author/jaul" /><meta property="og:locale" content="en_US" /><meta property="og:type" content="profile" /><meta property="og:title" content="Jason Aul, Author at Maryland League of Conservation Voters Education Fund" /><meta property="og:url" content="https://www.marylandconservation.org/author/jaul" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Maryland League of Conservation Voters Education Fund" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/d6f0efab1d606c2af1d943309f1c729c?s=500&d=mm&r=g" /><meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image" /> <script type="application/ld+json" class="yoast-schema-graph">{"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"ProfilePage","@id":"https://www.marylandconservation.org/author/jaul","url":"https://www.marylandconservation.org/author/jaul","name":"Jason Aul, Author at Maryland League of Conservation Voters Education Fund","isPartOf":{"@id":"https://www.marylandconservation.org/#website"},"breadcrumb":{"@id":"https://www.marylandconservation.org/author/jaul#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https://www.marylandconservation.org/author/jaul"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https://www.marylandconservation.org/author/jaul#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://www.marylandconservation.org/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Archives for Jason Aul"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https://www.marylandconservation.org/#website","url":"https://www.marylandconservation.org/","name":"Maryland League of Conservation Voters Education Fund","description":"","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https://www.marylandconservation.org/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https://www.marylandconservation.org/#/schema/person/8bc286bcf705ada8788454d4cba5b4e4","name":"Jason Aul","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https://www.marylandconservation.org/author/jaul"}}]}</script> <link rel='dns-prefetch' href='//www.googletagmanager.com' /><link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="Maryland League of Conservation Voters Education Fund » Feed" href="https://www.marylandconservation.org/feed" /><link rel="alternate" type="text/calendar" title="Maryland League of Conservation Voters Education Fund » iCal Feed" href="https://www.marylandconservation.org/calendar/?ical=1" /><link rel="shortcut icon" href="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/MDLCV_LogoIcon_S_Blue_32.png" type="image/x-icon" /> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/MDLCV_LogoIcon_S_Blue_32.png"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="114x114" href="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/MDLCV_LogoIcon_S_Blue_32.png"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="72x72" href="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/MDLCV_LogoIcon_S_Blue_32.png"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="144x144" href="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/MDLCV_LogoIcon_S_Blue_32.png"><link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="Maryland League of Conservation Voters Education Fund » Posts by Jason Aul Feed" href="https://www.marylandconservation.org/author/jaul/feed" /> <style id='classic-theme-styles-inline-css' type='text/css'> /*! This file is auto-generated */ .wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none} </style> <style id='global-styles-inline-css' type='text/css'> :root{--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--square: 1;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--4-3: 4/3;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--3-4: 3/4;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--3-2: 3/2;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--2-3: 2/3;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--16-9: 16/9;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--9-16: 9/16;--wp--preset--color--black: #000000;--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray: #abb8c3;--wp--preset--color--white: #ffffff;--wp--preset--color--pale-pink: #f78da7;--wp--preset--color--vivid-red: #cf2e2e;--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange: #ff6900;--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber: #fcb900;--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan: #7bdcb5;--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan: #00d084;--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue: #8ed1fc;--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue: #0693e3;--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple: #9b51e0;--wp--preset--gradient--vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple: linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(6,147,227,1) 0%,rgb(155,81,224) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(122,220,180) 0%,rgb(0,208,130) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange: linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(252,185,0,1) 0%,rgba(255,105,0,1) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red: linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(255,105,0,1) 0%,rgb(207,46,46) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(238,238,238) 0%,rgb(169,184,195) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--cool-to-warm-spectrum: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(74,234,220) 0%,rgb(151,120,209) 20%,rgb(207,42,186) 40%,rgb(238,44,130) 60%,rgb(251,105,98) 80%,rgb(254,248,76) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--blush-light-purple: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(255,206,236) 0%,rgb(152,150,240) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--blush-bordeaux: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(254,205,165) 0%,rgb(254,45,45) 50%,rgb(107,0,62) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-dusk: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(255,203,112) 0%,rgb(199,81,192) 50%,rgb(65,88,208) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--pale-ocean: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(255,245,203) 0%,rgb(182,227,212) 50%,rgb(51,167,181) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--electric-grass: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(202,248,128) 0%,rgb(113,206,126) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--midnight: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(2,3,129) 0%,rgb(40,116,252) 100%);--wp--preset--font-size--small: 11.25px;--wp--preset--font-size--medium: 20px;--wp--preset--font-size--large: 22.5px;--wp--preset--font-size--x-large: 42px;--wp--preset--font-size--normal: 15px;--wp--preset--font-size--xlarge: 30px;--wp--preset--font-size--huge: 45px;--wp--preset--spacing--20: 0.44rem;--wp--preset--spacing--30: 0.67rem;--wp--preset--spacing--40: 1rem;--wp--preset--spacing--50: 1.5rem;--wp--preset--spacing--60: 2.25rem;--wp--preset--spacing--70: 3.38rem;--wp--preset--spacing--80: 5.06rem;--wp--preset--shadow--natural: 6px 6px 9px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);--wp--preset--shadow--deep: 12px 12px 50px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.4);--wp--preset--shadow--sharp: 6px 6px 0px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);--wp--preset--shadow--outlined: 6px 6px 0px -3px rgba(255, 255, 255, 1), 6px 6px rgba(0, 0, 0, 1);--wp--preset--shadow--crisp: 6px 6px 0px rgba(0, 0, 0, 1);}:where(.is-layout-flex){gap: 0.5em;}:where(.is-layout-grid){gap: 0.5em;}body .is-layout-flex{display: flex;}.is-layout-flex{flex-wrap: wrap;align-items: center;}.is-layout-flex > :is(*, div){margin: 0;}body .is-layout-grid{display: grid;}.is-layout-grid > :is(*, div){margin: 0;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-flex){gap: 2em;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-grid){gap: 2em;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-flex){gap: 1.25em;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-grid){gap: 1.25em;}.has-black-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-black-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-black-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red) !important;}.has-very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-cool-to-warm-spectrum-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--cool-to-warm-spectrum) !important;}.has-blush-light-purple-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--blush-light-purple) !important;}.has-blush-bordeaux-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--blush-bordeaux) !important;}.has-luminous-dusk-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-dusk) !important;}.has-pale-ocean-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--pale-ocean) !important;}.has-electric-grass-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--electric-grass) !important;}.has-midnight-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--midnight) !important;}.has-small-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--small) !important;}.has-medium-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--medium) !important;}.has-large-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--large) !important;}.has-x-large-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--x-large) !important;} :where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-flex){gap: 1.25em;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-grid){gap: 1.25em;} :where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-flex){gap: 2em;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-grid){gap: 2em;} :root :where(.wp-block-pullquote){font-size: 1.5em;line-height: 1.6;} </style>  <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-includes/js/jquery/jquery.min.js" id="jquery-core-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-includes/js/jquery/jquery-migrate.min.js" id="jquery-migrate-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" id="tt4b_ajax_script-js-extra"> /* <![CDATA[ */ var tt4b_script_vars = {"pixel_code":"CRM5MC3C77U40MO98FD0","currency":"","country":"US","advanced_matching":"1"}; /* ]]> */ </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/plugins/tiktok-for-business/admin/js/ajaxSnippet.js" id="tt4b_ajax_script-js"></script>    <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=GT-PJWCFDW" id="google_gtagjs-js" async></script> <script type="text/javascript" id="google_gtagjs-js-after"> /* <![CDATA[ */ window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || [];function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag("set","linker",{"domains":["www.marylandconservation.org"]}); gtag("js", new Date()); gtag("set", "developer_id.dZTNiMT", true); gtag("config", "GT-PJWCFDW"); gtag("config", "AW-16709250825"); /* ]]> */ </script> <link rel="https://api.w.org/" href="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-json/" /><link rel="alternate" title="JSON" type="application/json" href="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-json/wp/v2/users/244" /><link rel="EditURI" type="application/rsd+xml" title="RSD" href="https://www.marylandconservation.org/xmlrpc.php?rsd" /><meta name="generator" content="Site Kit by Google 1.146.0" /><meta name="tec-api-version" content="v1"><meta name="tec-api-origin" content="https://www.marylandconservation.org"><link rel="alternate" href="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-json/tribe/events/v1/" /><style type="text/css" id="css-fb-visibility">@media screen and (max-width: 640px){body:not(.fusion-builder-ui-wireframe) .fusion-no-small-visibility{display:none !important;}}@media screen and (min-width: 641px) and (max-width: 1024px){body:not(.fusion-builder-ui-wireframe) .fusion-no-medium-visibility{display:none !important;}}@media screen and (min-width: 1025px){body:not(.fusion-builder-ui-wireframe) .fusion-no-large-visibility{display:none !important;}}</style><link rel="icon" href="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/cropped-MDLCV_LogoIcon_S_Blue_32-32x32.png" sizes="32x32" /><link rel="icon" href="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/cropped-MDLCV_LogoIcon_S_Blue_32-192x192.png" sizes="192x192" /><link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/cropped-MDLCV_LogoIcon_S_Blue_32-180x180.png" /><meta name="msapplication-TileImage" content="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/cropped-MDLCV_LogoIcon_S_Blue_32-270x270.png" /> <style type="text/css" id="wp-custom-css"> body.home div#sliders-container div.fusion-slider-container {max-height: 300px!important;} body.home div#sliders-container div.tfs-slider {height:300px!important;} body.home div#sliders-container li div.background-image {background-size:contain; height:300px!important; max-width:1200px!important; margin:0 auto;} div.Anchor-Offset {position:absolute; top:-325px;} h1, h2, h3, h4, h5, h6{ line-height: 1.45; } div.fusion-header .fusion-is-sticky div.fusion-logo img, div.fusion-header div.fusion-logo img {width:225px;} </style> <script type="text/javascript"> var doc = document.documentElement; doc.setAttribute( 'data-useragent', navigator.userAgent ); </script> <script>(function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start': new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0], j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src= 'https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f); })(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-WLMZD7XK');</script>  <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=UA-4427283-2"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'UA-4427283-2'); </script></head><body class="archive author author-jaul author-244 tribe-no-js fusion-image-hovers fusion-pagination-sizing fusion-button_size-large fusion-button_type-flat fusion-button_span-no avada-image-rollover-circle-yes avada-image-rollover-yes avada-image-rollover-direction-fade fusion-body ltr fusion-sticky-header no-tablet-sticky-header no-mobile-sticky-header no-mobile-slidingbar no-mobile-totop avada-has-rev-slider-styles fusion-disable-outline fusion-sub-menu-fade mobile-logo-pos-left layout-wide-mode avada-has-boxed-modal-shadow- layout-scroll-offset-full avada-has-zero-margin-offset-top fusion-top-header menu-text-align-center mobile-menu-design-modern fusion-show-pagination-text fusion-header-layout-v3 avada-responsive avada-footer-fx-none avada-menu-highlight-style-bar fusion-search-form-classic fusion-main-menu-search-dropdown fusion-avatar-square avada-dropdown-styles avada-blog-layout-large avada-blog-archive-layout-large avada-ec-not-100-width avada-ec-meta-layout-below_content avada-header-shadow-yes avada-menu-icon-position-left avada-has-megamenu-shadow avada-has-mainmenu-dropdown-divider avada-has-mobile-menu-search avada-has-breadcrumb-mobile-hidden avada-has-titlebar-hide avada-has-slidingbar-widgets avada-has-slidingbar-position-top avada-slidingbar-toggle-style-triangle avada-has-slidingbar-sticky avada-has-pagination-width_height avada-flyout-menu-direction-fade"> <a class="skip-link screen-reader-text" href="#content">Skip to content</a><div id="boxed-wrapper"><div class="fusion-sides-frame"></div><div id="wrapper" class="fusion-wrapper"><div id="home" style="position:relative;top:-1px;"></div><header class="fusion-header-wrapper fusion-header-shadow"><div class="fusion-header-v3 fusion-logo-alignment fusion-logo-left fusion-sticky-menu- fusion-sticky-logo-1 fusion-mobile-logo-1 fusion-mobile-menu-design-modern"><div class="fusion-secondary-header"><div class="fusion-row"><div class="fusion-alignleft"><div class="fusion-social-links-header"><div class="fusion-social-networks"><div class="fusion-social-networks-wrapper"><a class="fusion-social-network-icon fusion-tooltip fusion-facebook fusion-icon-facebook" style href="https://www.facebook.com/mdlcv/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-placement="bottom" data-title="Facebook" data-toggle="tooltip" title="Facebook"><span class="screen-reader-text">Facebook</span></a><a class="fusion-social-network-icon fusion-tooltip fusion-twitter fusion-icon-twitter" style href="https://twitter.com/MDLCV" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-placement="bottom" data-title="Twitter" data-toggle="tooltip" title="Twitter"><span class="screen-reader-text">Twitter</span></a><a class="fusion-social-network-icon fusion-tooltip fusion-linkedin fusion-icon-linkedin" style href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/maryland-league-of-conservation-voters?trk=biz-companies-cym" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-placement="bottom" data-title="LinkedIn" data-toggle="tooltip" title="LinkedIn"><span class="screen-reader-text">LinkedIn</span></a><a class="fusion-social-network-icon fusion-tooltip fusion-instagram fusion-icon-instagram" style href="https://instagram.com/marylandlcv/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-placement="bottom" data-title="Instagram" data-toggle="tooltip" title="Instagram"><span class="screen-reader-text">Instagram</span></a><a class="fusion-social-network-icon fusion-tooltip fusion-youtube fusion-icon-youtube" style href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAWQR-BQjDphsRNzjdQOAcQ" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-placement="bottom" data-title="YouTube" data-toggle="tooltip" title="YouTube"><span class="screen-reader-text">YouTube</span></a></div></div></div></div><div class="fusion-alignright"><nav class="fusion-secondary-menu" role="navigation" aria-label="Secondary Menu"><ul id="menu-top-menu" class="menu"><li id="menu-item-3336" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-3336" data-item-id="3336"><a href="https://www.marylandconservation.org/media" class="fusion-bar-highlight"><span class="menu-text">NEWS</span></a></li><li id="menu-item-3335" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-3335" data-item-id="3335"><a href="https://www.marylandconservation.org/blog" class="fusion-bar-highlight"><span class="menu-text">BLOG</span></a></li><li id="menu-item-2899-es" class="lang-item lang-item-8 lang-item-es no-translation lang-item-first menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-2899-es" data-classes="lang-item" data-item-id="2899-es"><a href="https://www.marylandconservation.org/es/" class="fusion-bar-highlight" hreflang="es-MX" lang="es-MX"><span class="menu-text">EN ESPAÑOL</span></a></li></ul></nav><nav class="fusion-mobile-nav-holder fusion-mobile-menu-text-align-left" aria-label="Secondary Mobile Menu"></nav></div></div></div><div class="fusion-header-sticky-height"></div><div class="fusion-header"><div class="fusion-row"><div class="fusion-logo" data-margin-top="10px" data-margin-bottom="100px" data-margin-left="0px" data-margin-right="0px"> <a class="fusion-logo-link" href="https://www.marylandconservation.org/" >  <img src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/MDLCV-EdFund_Logo_S_BlueOrange_Reg-1.png" srcset="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/MDLCV-EdFund_Logo_S_BlueOrange_Reg-1.png 1x, https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/MDLCV-EdFund_Logo_S_BlueOrange_Reg-1.png 2x" width="258" height="111" style="max-height:111px;height:auto;" alt="Maryland League of Conservation Voters Education Fund Logo" data-retina_logo_url="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/MDLCV-EdFund_Logo_S_BlueOrange_Reg-1.png" class="fusion-standard-logo" />  <img src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/MDLCV-EdFund_Logo_S_BlueOrange_Reg-1.png" srcset="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/MDLCV-EdFund_Logo_S_BlueOrange_Reg-1.png 1x, https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/MDLCV-EdFund_Logo_S_BlueOrange_Reg-1.png 2x" width="258" height="111" style="max-height:111px;height:auto;" alt="Maryland League of Conservation Voters Education Fund Logo" data-retina_logo_url="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/MDLCV-EdFund_Logo_S_BlueOrange_Reg-1.png" class="fusion-mobile-logo" />  <img src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/MDLCV-EdFund_Logo_S_BlueOrange_Reg-1.png" srcset="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/MDLCV-EdFund_Logo_S_BlueOrange_Reg-1.png 1x, https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/MDLCV-EdFund_Logo_S_BlueOrange_Reg-1.png 2x" width="258" height="111" style="max-height:111px;height:auto;" alt="Maryland League of Conservation Voters Education Fund Logo" data-retina_logo_url="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/MDLCV-EdFund_Logo_S_BlueOrange_Reg-1.png" class="fusion-sticky-logo" /> </a></div><nav class="fusion-main-menu" aria-label="Main Menu"><ul id="menu-main-menu" class="fusion-menu"><li id="menu-item-3327" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children menu-item-3327 fusion-dropdown-menu" data-item-id="3327"><a href="https://www.marylandconservation.org/issues" class="fusion-bar-highlight"><span class="menu-text">ISSUES</span></a><ul role="menu" class="sub-menu"><li id="menu-item-16517" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-16517 fusion-dropdown-submenu" ><a href="https://www.marylandconservation.org/issues/environmental-justice" class="fusion-bar-highlight"><span>ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE</span></a></li><li id="menu-item-3328" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-3328 fusion-dropdown-submenu" ><a href="https://www.marylandconservation.org/climate-crisis" class="fusion-bar-highlight"><span>CLIMATE CRISIS</span></a></li><li id="menu-item-3329" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-3329 fusion-dropdown-submenu" ><a href="https://www.marylandconservation.org/bay-clean-water" class="fusion-bar-highlight"><span>BAY & CLEAN WATER</span></a></li><li id="menu-item-3330" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-3330 fusion-dropdown-submenu" ><a href="https://www.marylandconservation.org/community-government" class="fusion-bar-highlight"><span>COMMUNITY / GOVERNMENT</span></a></li></ul></li><li id="menu-item-16810" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children menu-item-16810 fusion-dropdown-menu" data-item-id="16810"><a href="https://www.marylandconservation.org/elections" class="fusion-bar-highlight"><span class="menu-text">ELECTIONS</span></a><ul role="menu" class="sub-menu"><li id="menu-item-16838" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-16838 fusion-dropdown-submenu" ><a href="https://www.marylandconservation.org/elections" class="fusion-bar-highlight"><span>Election Information (English)</span></a></li><li id="menu-item-16839" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-16839 fusion-dropdown-submenu" ><a href="https://www.marylandconservation.org/elections-2" class="fusion-bar-highlight"><span>Información sobre las elecciones</span></a></li></ul></li><li id="menu-item-354" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children menu-item-354 fusion-dropdown-menu" data-item-id="354"><a href="https://www.marylandconservation.org/chispa" class="fusion-bar-highlight"><span class="menu-text">CHISPA</span></a><ul role="menu" class="sub-menu"><li id="menu-item-352" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-352 fusion-dropdown-submenu" ><a href="https://www.marylandconservation.org/promoters" class="fusion-bar-highlight"><span>PROMOTERS</span></a></li><li id="menu-item-3476" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-3476 fusion-dropdown-submenu" ><a href="https://www.marylandconservation.org/cbhk" class="fusion-bar-highlight"><span>CLEAN BUSES<br> HEALTY NIÑOS</span></a></li><li id="menu-item-360" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-360 fusion-dropdown-submenu" ><a href="https://www.marylandconservation.org/chispa-blog" class="fusion-bar-highlight"><span>BLOG</span></a></li></ul></li><li id="menu-item-3331" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children menu-item-3331 fusion-dropdown-menu" data-item-id="3331"><a href="https://www.marylandconservation.org/about" class="fusion-bar-highlight"><span class="menu-text">ABOUT</span></a><ul role="menu" class="sub-menu"><li id="menu-item-346" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-346 fusion-dropdown-submenu" ><a href="https://www.marylandconservation.org/board" class="fusion-bar-highlight"><span>BOARD</span></a></li><li id="menu-item-348" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-348 fusion-dropdown-submenu" ><a href="https://www.marylandconservation.org/staff" class="fusion-bar-highlight"><span>STAFF</span></a></li><li id="menu-item-6253" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-6253 fusion-dropdown-submenu" ><a href="https://www.marylandconservation.org/deij" class="fusion-bar-highlight"><span>DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, AND JUSTICE</span></a></li><li id="menu-item-3332" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-3332 fusion-dropdown-submenu" ><a href="https://www.marylandconservation.org/work-with-us" class="fusion-bar-highlight"><span>WORK WITH US</span></a></li><li id="menu-item-3333" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-3333 fusion-dropdown-submenu" ><a href="https://www.marylandconservation.org/calendar" class="fusion-bar-highlight"><span>CALENDAR</span></a></li><li id="menu-item-3946" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-3946 fusion-dropdown-submenu" ><a href="https://www.marylandconservation.org/about/join-us" class="fusion-bar-highlight"><span>JOIN US</span></a></li></ul></li><li id="menu-item-16587" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-16587 fusion-menu-item-button" data-item-id="16587"><a href="https://www.marylandconservation.org/donate-today" class="fusion-bar-highlight"><span class="menu-text fusion-button button-default button-large">DONATE</span></a></li></ul></nav><div class="fusion-mobile-menu-icons"> <a href="#" class="fusion-icon fusion-icon-bars" aria-label="Toggle mobile menu" aria-expanded="false"></a> <a href="#" class="fusion-icon fusion-icon-search" aria-label="Toggle mobile search"></a></div><nav class="fusion-mobile-nav-holder fusion-mobile-menu-text-align-left" aria-label="Main Menu Mobile"></nav><div class="fusion-clearfix"></div><div class="fusion-mobile-menu-search"><form role="search" class="searchform fusion-search-form fusion-live-search" method="get" action="https://www.marylandconservation.org/"><div class="fusion-search-form-content"><div class="fusion-search-field search-field"> <label><span class="screen-reader-text">Search for:</span> <input type="search" value="" name="s" class="s" placeholder="Search ..." required aria-required="true" aria-label="Search ..."/> </label></div><div class="fusion-search-button search-button"> <input type="submit" class="fusion-search-submit searchsubmit" value="" /></div></div></form></div></div></div></div><div class="fusion-clearfix"></div></header><div id="sliders-container"></div><div class="avada-page-titlebar-wrapper"></div><main id="main" class="clearfix "><div class="fusion-row" style=""><section id="content" class="full-width" style="width: 100%;"><div class="fusion-author"><div class="fusion-author-avatar"></div><div class="fusion-author-info"><h3 class="fusion-author-title vcard"> About <span class="fn">Jason Aul</span></h3> This author has not yet filled in any details.<br />So far Jason Aul has created 6 blog entries.</div><div style="clear:both;"></div><div class="fusion-author-social clearfix"><div class="fusion-author-tagline"></div></div></div><div id="posts-container" class="fusion-blog-archive fusion-blog-layout-large-wrapper fusion-clearfix"><div class="fusion-posts-container fusion-blog-layout-large fusion-blog-pagination fusion-blog-no-images " data-pages="1"><article id="post-16915" class="fusion-post-large post fusion-clearfix post-16915 type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-blog"><div class="fusion-post-content post-content"><h2 class="entry-title fusion-post-title"><a href="https://www.marylandconservation.org/2025/01/28/2025-investments-in-clean-energy">2025 Investments in Clean Energy</a></h2><div class="fusion-post-content-container"><h3><b>Introduction</b></h3><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">So far in this series, we have explored Maryland’s renewable energy landscape and the costs of climate inaction. As we move forward, our focus is shifting to solutions. Expanding clean energy development in Maryland to maximize in-state clean energy generation is key to our path forward. In this post, I’ll outline a key piece of legislation being introduced in the 2025 legislative session that will help to build as much clean energy as possible in Maryland while prioritizing reliable, affordable electricity for all Marylanders.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This comprehensive energy legislation, called the Abundant, Affordable Clean Energy (AACE) Act, will increase clean energy generation within Maryland through solar, wind, and storage while also introducing robust ratepayer protections to try to keep electricity rates affordable for Maryland residents. </span></p><h3><b>Addressing Maryland’s Energy Demands</b></h3><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The AACE Act is a crucial step in addressing Maryland’s growing energy concerns. The rise of new industries, including artificial intelligence, data centers, crypto mining, and cannabis cultivation, is expected to dramatically increase energy demand, placing a strain on the state’s existing energy infrastructure. Without action, Maryland’s grid capacity will struggle to meet these demands while keeping energy rates affordable and achieving our clean energy targets. In addition to increasing in-state clean energy generation and the capacity of our grid, it is equally important to do so in a way that protects and creates family-supporting local jobs, builds health and wealth across the state, and incorporates labor standards and supplier diversity into all projects. </span></p><h3><b>Abundant, Affordable, and Clean Energy</b></h3><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The abundant, affordable, and clean aspects of the bill work together to position Maryland to meet growing concerns about rising energy costs and increasing electricity demand as well as build an energy system to meet the climate crisis. </span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For the “abundant” element, the AACE Act will generate more energy within the state of Maryland and increase the storage capacity of the energy grid, including strategies to “fast track” storage being built to help meet our state’s goal of 3000 MW of storage by 2033. Namely, the AACE Act will put emergency measures in place to begin building battery storage and utility-scale solar quickly, including procurement for 1600 MW of utility-scale storage projects to exit the PJM queue within the next 2 years. Expansion of storage is the quickest way to respond to resource adequacy challenges in the state and reduce capacity prices. These solutions will also help prevent power outages. Additionally, The AACE Act supports the relicensing of the Calvert Cliffs nuclear power facility, which supplies up to 40% of the electricity produced in Maryland. The AACE Act seeks to build reliability and resiliency in Maryland’s grid with the rapid deployment of battery storage.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The “affordability” aspect focuses on protecting ratepayers, making procurement</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> of clean energy more competitive and efficient, and improving Maryland’s energy independence. One key strategy in the AACE Act is to create a structure for high-energy use industries, such as data centers, to support reduced ratepayer impact of their energy use. Another strategy the AACE Act introduces includes using the money utilities must pay when they cannot meet clean energy requirements, called alternative compliance payments (ACPs), and returning this money directly to ratepayers through an escrow account. In 2023, the total amount of ACPs was over </span><a href="https://www.psc.state.md.us/wp-content/uploads/Corrected-CY23-RPS-Annual-Report_FNL_V2.pdf"><span style="font-weight: 400;">$320 million</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Finally, the “clean” aspect of the AACE Act is about expanding clean energy generation, particularly through solar projects in Maryland. Building more clean energy in state will reduce the need to build more transmission lines which import energy from other states, and help meet the state’s clean and renewable energy goals. Specifically, the AACE Act improves how Maryland invests in solar energy and sets up a new incentive model, based to some extent on New Jersey’s model, which amends the solar renewable energy credit (</span><a href="https://www.argusmedia.com/en/news-and-insights/latest-market-news/2536464-maryland-lawmakers-mull-more-srecs-for-small-projects"><span style="font-weight: 400;">SREC 2</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">)</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> process. </span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Under this revised process, utility-scale solar will participate in a competitive procurement, which is essentially where solar power systems connected to the state’s energy grid will compete for contracts. Any money earned from energy sales will then be returned to customers’ electricity bills. The main goals of doing this are to ensure there is enough energy to meet Maryland’s needs, improve the reliability of the power supply, and ensure that the electricity is affordable. Additionally, rooftop solar projects will be eligible for SREC 2s established through an administratively determined process, which the Public Service Commission will conduct at least once every 3 years. This whole SREC 2 process is likely to increase the solar energy developed in the state to 3 GW of utility-scale solar and 3 GW of rooftop solar by 2035.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">To that end, the AACE Act also incentivizes and reorganizes the renewable portfolio standard</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (RPS) to prioritize in-state solar, wind, and storage. Separate and complementary legislative proposals in 2025 will alter the definition of renewable energy sources for the RPS, excluding trash incineration—an important step to help “clean up” the RPS so it includes only those energy sources that emit zero pollutants and limit harmful health and environmental impacts. By implementing these measures, Maryland will be on a better track to achieve its RPS goal of having renewable energy account for 50% of the state’s electricity sales by 2030. </span></p><h3><b>Challenges with the Current Grid and the Role of PJM Interconnection</b></h3><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Maryland is part of an electricity grid shared by 13 states, which is managed by an organization called PJM Interconnection. PJM is responsible for ensuring that there is a sufficient and affordable energy supply across this region. However, in times of high demand, when PJM is concerned about the grid’s ability to generate enough electricity, it increases capacity prices. This typically leads to higher costs for ratepayers on their utility bills.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">PJM has struggled with managing new electricity generation effectively, particularly when it comes to integrating wind and solar energy into the grid. In fact, PJM has done worse than any other grid in the nation in this regard, with a massive backlog of clean energy projects waiting to connect to the grid. This backlog has become so severe that since 2020, PJM has stopped accepting new project proposals.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As a result of PJM’s inefficiencies and inability to deploy new energy generation, capacity prices are expected to increase by 800% this year, which will negatively impact every ratepayer in Maryland. The AACE Act, however, provides a solution by rapidly deploying more in-state solar, wind, and battery storage. This will help lower capacity prices and ensure a more reliable and affordable energy system for the state because it reduces reliance on external sources of energy, reduces the probability of costly capacity increases in the PJM region, and ensures that excess renewable energy generated during off-peak hours can be stored and utilized during peak demand times, mitigating the impact of capacity price increases. </span></p><h3><b>Conclusion</b></h3><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The AACE Act is a crucial piece of legislation that addresses Maryland’s pressing energy needs while ensuring an energy future that is abundant, affordable, and clean. By increasing the state’s clean energy generation, improving grid capacity, and protecting ratepayers, the AACE Act will help position Maryland as a leader in the clean energy transition, all while supporting local jobs and economic growth.</span></p><p> </p><p>Sources and notes:</p><ul><li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Competitive procurement forces all potential electricity suppliers to publicly and transparently bid against one another, forcing energy prices lower, </span><a href="https://dls.maryland.gov/pubs/prod/BusTech/2024_Maryland-State-Government-Energy-Procurement.pdf"><span style="font-weight: 400;">https://dls.maryland.gov/pubs/prod/BusTech/2024_Maryland-State-Government-Energy-Procurement.pdf</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. </span></li><li><span style="font-weight: 400;"> A Solar Renewable Energy Credit (SREC) is a certificate representing the environmental benefit of electricity generated from solar energy, where for every megawatt-hour of solar electricity produced, one SREC is created; homeowners or businesses with solar panels can then sell these SRECs separately from the electricity they generate, allowing them to earn additional income. </span></li><li><span style="font-weight: 400;"> </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Renewable portfolio standard”means the percentage of electricity sales at retail in the State that is to be derived from renewable sources like solar and wind.</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Md. Code, PUC § 7-701, </span><a href="https://codes.findlaw.com/md/public-utilities/md-code-public-util-sect-7-701/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">https://codes.findlaw.com/md/public-utilities/md-code-public-util-sect-7-701/</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></li></ul></div></div><div class="fusion-meta-info"><div class="fusion-alignleft"><span class="vcard rich-snippet-hidden"><span class="fn"><a href="https://www.marylandconservation.org/author/jaul" title="Posts by Jason Aul" rel="author">Jason Aul</a></span></span><span class="updated rich-snippet-hidden">2025-01-28T11:34:37-05:00</span><span>January 28th, 2025</span><span class="fusion-inline-sep">|</span>Categories: <a href="https://www.marylandconservation.org/category/blog" rel="category tag">Blog</a><span class="fusion-inline-sep">|</span></div><div class="fusion-alignright"> <a href="https://www.marylandconservation.org/2025/01/28/2025-investments-in-clean-energy" class="fusion-read-more"> Read More </a></div></div></article><article id="post-16849" class="fusion-post-large post fusion-clearfix post-16849 type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-blog"><div class="fusion-post-content post-content"><h2 class="entry-title fusion-post-title"><a href="https://www.marylandconservation.org/2024/10/07/the-cost-of-climate-inaction-in-maryland">The Cost of Climate Inaction in Maryland</a></h2><div class="fusion-post-content-container"><p><div class="fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-1 fusion-ie-mode nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling" style='background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;'><div class="fusion-builder-row fusion-row "><div class="fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion_builder_column_1_1 fusion-builder-column-1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last 1_1" style='margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;'><div class="fusion-column-wrapper" style="padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;" data-bg-url=""><div class="fusion-text"><p><b>Introduction</b></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When you think about climate change, the first images that come to mind might be extreme weather events like heat waves, flooding, and wildfires. You might remember how difficult it was to breathe when smoke from Canadian wildfires made it down to Maryland in 2023, the recent devastating flooding in Ellicott City, or you might be worried about the spread of vector-borne diseases as increasing heat expands habitat and breeding seasons for ticks and mosquitoes (In 2023, Maryland reported the first case of locally-acquired malaria in 40 years).</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Global warming is driving more frequent events, and the costs are escalating.</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> The National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) reports on how many climate disasters and weather events cost at least $1 billion each. As of September 10, 2024, there have already been 5 disasters costing the state more than $1 billion each in 2024 alone.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">To calculate these costs, NCEI includes: </span></p><ul><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">P</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">hysical damage to residential, commercial, and municipal buildings;</span></li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Material assets (content) within buildings;</span></li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Time element losses such as business interruption or loss of living quarters;</span></li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Damage to vehicles and boats;</span></li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Public assets including roads, bridges, levees;</span></li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Electrical infrastructure and offshore energy platforms;</span></li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Agricultural assets including crops, livestock, and commercial timber; and</span></li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Wildfire suppression costs.</span></li></ul><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This list is not exhaustive, however, because it neglects other costs borne by the impacts of severe weather and disastrous climate events such as healthcare costs, disruptions to healthcare delivery, and the displacement of residents. Therefore, the billion-dollar mark for each of these events is likely an underestimate of the true costs of climate change to the state of Maryland and those of us living here. </span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Maryland’s </span><a href="https://mde.maryland.gov/programs/air/ClimateChange/Maryland%20Climate%20Reduction%20Plan/Maryland%27s%20Climate%20Pollution%20Reduction%20Plan%20-%20Final%20-%20Dec%2028%202023.pdf"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Climate Pollution Reduction Plan</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, released in December 2023, called for a $1 billion annual investment in climate solutions in order to meet state climate goals, but it stopped short of committing to a permanent funding mechanism.</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> These investments would support programs that help reduce statewide emissions and improve local air quality, resulting in an estimated $142 million to $321 million in public health benefits in 2031 compared to current policies.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Unfortunately, when we talk about climate solutions, we are often asked how much it will cost to implement new policies. What’s often missing is a discussion on the billions of dollars per year the state already spends on climate-related damage and the savings that households would benefit from in the long run. The longer it takes to implement solutions, the costlier the damage.</span></p><p><b>Social Cost of Carbon</b></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As we explore the broader costs of inaction, it’s important to look at a key calculation that quantifies these impacts: the social cost of carbon (SCC), which quantifies the economic damages caused by an additional ton of carbon dioxide (CO</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">2</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">). This calculation takes a sectoral approach, accounting for changes in net agricultural productivity, human health, property damages from increased flood risk, and energy system costs. These future damages are discounted</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to reflect their present value.</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> In essence, the SCC represents the present-day cost of future climate-related damages from each additional ton of carbon emissions.</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently released a report detailing the social cost of greenhouse gas emissions, which also factors in methane (CH</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">4</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">) and nitrous oxide (NO) in addition to CO</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">2</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">. The social cost of NO is significantly higher than CO</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">2</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> because NO is a much more potent greenhouse gas, meaning each molecule of NO traps significantly more heat in the atmosphere than a molecule of CO</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">2</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">, and it has a longer atmospheric lifetime leading to a greater long-term impact on climate change when emitted; therefore, the cost associated with releasing a unit of NO is considerably higher than the cost of releasing a unit of CO</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">2</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">, or CH</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">4 </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">for that matter.</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;"> </span></p></div><span class="fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-1 hover-type-none"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/clost1.webp" data-orig-src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/clost1.webp" width="629" height="261" alt="" title="clost1" class="lazyload img-responsive wp-image-16850" srcset="data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27629%27%20height%3D%27261%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20629%20261%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27629%27%20height%3D%273261%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E" data-srcset="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/clost1-150x62.webp 150w, https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/clost1-200x83.webp 200w, https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/clost1-300x124.webp 300w, https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/clost1-400x166.webp 400w, https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/clost1-600x249.webp 600w, https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/clost1.webp 629w" data-sizes="auto" data-orig-sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 629px" /></span><div class="fusion-clearfix"></div><div class="fusion-column-wrapper" style="content:'';z-index:-1;position:absolute;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;" data-bg-url=""></div></div></div></div></div><div class="fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-2 fusion-ie-mode nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling" style='background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;'><div class="fusion-builder-row fusion-row "><div class="fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion_builder_column_1_2 fusion-builder-column-2 fusion-one-half fusion-column-first 1_2" style='margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;width:50%;width:calc(50% - ( ( 4% ) * 0.5 ) );margin-right: 4%;'><div class="fusion-column-wrapper" style="padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;" data-bg-url=""><div class="fusion-text"><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Using the 2020 federal social cost of greenhouse gas, Maryland’s consumption contributed over $</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">78 billion to global climate damages just in the </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">5 reporting years between 2006 and 2020.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If Maryland fails to take additional climate policy action, this figure will grow by at least $159 billion by 2045 during key greenhouse gas emissions target years alone</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If Maryland succeeds in reaching its 2045 net zero emissions goal, we could save nearly $48 billion of those global climate costs, and at least an additional 150 </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">million metric tons</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions will be abated.</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> </span></p></div><div class="fusion-clearfix"></div><div class="fusion-column-wrapper" style="content:'';z-index:-1;position:absolute;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;" data-bg-url=""></div></div></div><div class="fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion_builder_column_1_2 fusion-builder-column-3 fusion-one-half fusion-column-last 1_2" style='margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;width:50%;width:calc(50% - ( ( 4% ) * 0.5 ) );'><div class="fusion-column-wrapper" style="padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;" data-bg-url=""> <span class="fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-2 hover-type-none"><img decoding="async" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/cost2.webp" data-orig-src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/cost2.webp" width="327" height="341" alt="" title="cost2" class="lazyload img-responsive wp-image-16851" srcset="data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27327%27%20height%3D%27341%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20327%20341%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27327%27%20height%3D%273341%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E" data-srcset="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/cost2-144x150.webp 144w, https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/cost2-200x209.webp 200w, https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/cost2-288x300.webp 288w, https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/cost2.webp 327w" data-sizes="auto" data-orig-sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 327px" /></span><div class="fusion-clearfix"></div><div class="fusion-column-wrapper" style="content:'';z-index:-1;position:absolute;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;" data-bg-url=""></div></div></div></div></div><div class="fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-3 fusion-ie-mode nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling" style='background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;'><div class="fusion-builder-row fusion-row "><div class="fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion_builder_column_1_1 fusion-builder-column-4 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last 1_1" style='margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;'><div class="fusion-column-wrapper" style="padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;" data-bg-url=""><div class="fusion-text"><p><b>The Cost of Inaction</b></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The additional $48 billion we’ll contribute to climate damages may seem like an abstract figure. This number captures the changing climate’s innumerable and tangible effects on agriculture, labor productivity, fisheries, mortality, and several other sectors. A look at U.S. county-level climate costs puts the cost of inaction into perspective.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Under a business-as-usual scenario, by the end of the century, Maryland counties will see average annual mortality damages of up to 16 additional deaths per 100,000 residents (Talbot and Dorchester Counties)</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Statewide, inaction will cost us an additional average change in deaths of ~6.5 per 100,000 Maryland residents.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Another notably high cost of inaction is in the agricultural sector. Without appropriate climate action and investment, Allegany County is projected to experience a 61% decrease in agricultural yield for 4 major crops by the end of the century.</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> </span></p><p><b>Inequitable and Non-Economic Damages</b></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Similar to the NCEI calculation, though, the costs included in the SCC calculation provides a thorough picture of the cost of climate, but neglects certain climate impacts. For example, the inequitable distribution of damages, such as conditions stemming from living, working, or attending school in closer proximity to an emissions source, are not included in the calculation.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Other impacts accounted for in these estimates – like damages to Maryland’s agricultural sector, property, fisheries, and aquatic systems – not only have economic impacts, but also have deeply-rooted historic, personal, and cultural significance that is difficult to quantify and are rarely, if ever, included in these costs.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">While the consequences of inaction are far greater than the cost of investment, the decision to protect people and the environment and avert a climate crisis is worthwhile even if the monetary costs of climate change did not outweigh the investment. This is especially true when the focus is on an immediate return of monetary investment above all other metrics – some of which cannot truly be quantified (i.e. health, mortality, wellbeing, natural resources) – is core to what has caused and exacerbated global warming.</span></p><p><b>Conclusion</b></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Costs of climate change in excess of those caused by previous and current emissions can be adequately averted by implementing the many policies and solutions outlined in Maryland’s </span><a href="https://mde.maryland.gov/programs/air/ClimateChange/Maryland%20Climate%20Reduction%20Plan/Maryland%27s%20Climate%20Pollution%20Reduction%20Plan%20-%20Final%20-%20Dec%2028%202023.pdf"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Climate Pollution Reduction Plan </span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">and the State </span><a href="https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2024-03/mde-state-of-maryland-cprg-priority-climate-action-plan.pdf"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Climate Action Plan</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Committing at least $1 billion annually to equitable emissions reduction and climate adaptation today is an investment in averting the symptoms, or climate costs, rather than waiting as climate costs compound. This is like investing in preventive care, rather than treating the symptoms of a disease. Waiting to implement solutions only makes damages more costly and solutions more resource-intensive, just as treating an injury or illness is often more costly than prevention. Maryland has access to the resources and information needed to take the preventative approach. The state should leverage once-in-a-lifetime federal funding opportunities and create new sources of state revenue to develop equitable and effective pathways for Maryland to address the ongoing climate crisis.</span></p></div><div class="fusion-text"><p>Sources:</p><ul><li>https://health.maryland.gov/newsroom/Pages/Maryland-Department-of-Health-announces-positive-case-of-locally-acquired-malaria.aspx</li><li>https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg1/chapter/chapter-11/</li><li>https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/billions/state-summary/MD</li><li>https://mde.maryland.gov/programs/air/ClimateChange/Maryland%20Climate%20Reduction%20Plan/Maryland%27s%20Climate%20Pollution%20Reduction%20Plan%20-%20Final%20-%20Dec%2028%202023.pdf</li><li>https://www.energypolicy.columbia.edu/publications/discounting-the-distant-future-a-critique-of-the-epas-analysis-of-the-social-cost-of-carbon/</li><li><span style="font-weight: 400;"> </span><a href="https://19january2017snapshot.epa.gov/climatechange/social-cost-carbon_.html"><span style="font-weight: 400;">https://19january2017snapshot.epa.gov/climatechange/social-cost-carbon_.html</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">; </span><a href="https://www.resources.org/archives/improving-discounting-in-the-social-cost-of-carbon/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">https://www.resources.org/archives/improving-discounting-in-the-social-cost-of-carbon</span></a></li><li>https://www.rff.org/publications/explainers/social-cost-carbon-101/</li><li>https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/understanding-global-warming-potentials</li><li>https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.aal4369</li><li>https://www.c2es.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/summary-american-climate-prospectus-impacts-maryland.pdf</li><li>https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.aal4369</li></ul></div><div class="fusion-clearfix"></div><div class="fusion-column-wrapper" style="content:'';z-index:-1;position:absolute;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;" data-bg-url=""></div></div></div></div></div></p></div></div><div class="fusion-meta-info"><div class="fusion-alignleft"><span class="vcard rich-snippet-hidden"><span class="fn"><a href="https://www.marylandconservation.org/author/jaul" title="Posts by Jason Aul" rel="author">Jason Aul</a></span></span><span class="updated rich-snippet-hidden">2024-10-07T11:52:30-04:00</span><span>October 7th, 2024</span><span class="fusion-inline-sep">|</span>Categories: <a href="https://www.marylandconservation.org/category/blog" rel="category tag">Blog</a><span class="fusion-inline-sep">|</span></div><div class="fusion-alignright"> <a href="https://www.marylandconservation.org/2024/10/07/the-cost-of-climate-inaction-in-maryland" class="fusion-read-more"> Read More </a></div></div></article><article id="post-16701" class="fusion-post-large post fusion-clearfix post-16701 type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-blog category-chispa"><div class="fusion-post-content post-content"><h2 class="entry-title fusion-post-title"><a href="https://www.marylandconservation.org/2024/06/27/a-mothers-journey-cleaner-and-quieter-rides-for-our-children">A Mother’s Journey: Cleaner and Quieter Rides for Our Children</a></h2><div class="fusion-post-content-container"><p><em>Written by one of Chispa’s Promotoras</em></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As a mother, nothing is more important than the health and well-being of my child. Living in Baltimore, I have seen firsthand the impact that pollution and climate change can have on our community. When my son, who has asthma and a learning disability, started school, I worried every day about the diesel fumes he was exposed to during his commute. These fumes contributed significantly to his asthma symptoms and made the ride to school stressful and uncomfortable for him.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Concern for my son’s health led me to become an “Environmental Justice and Action Promotora” with Chispa Maryland, a program dedicated to empowering Latino communities in the fight for environmental justice. Through my work with Chispa Maryland, I learned more about the harmful effects of diesel emissions on children’s health and the environment. This knowledge fueled my passion to advocate for cleaner, safer alternatives.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Earlier this year, Baltimore received 25 electric school buses thanks to funding from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Clean School Bus Program. These buses are a game changer for our community. They are not only environmentally friendly but also significantly quieter than their diesel counterparts. For my son, this transition has made a world of difference.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The clean air around these new electric school buses has helped manage his asthma symptoms, allowing him to breathe easier and stay healthier. Additionally, the near-silence of the electric buses has created a calming environment for him, making his daily rides to and from school much more pleasant and less stressful. It’s remarkable to see how something as simple as a quieter bus ride can have such a positive impact on a child’s day.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Being a part of Chispa Maryland and advocating for the adoption of electric school buses has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I am proud to have played a role in advocating at the school district level for the adoption of electric school buses, focusing on asking the school board to apply for this crucial funding. But our work is not done. The success of these 25 electric buses is just the beginning. We need to continue pushing for more electric buses in Baltimore and across Maryland to ensure that all children can benefit from cleaner, quieter, and healthier school commutes.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It was thanks to Maryland League of Conservation Voters (Maryland LCV) and Chispa Maryland for their support and advocacy on electric school buses. Their partnership, guidance, and resources have been invaluable in reaching this milestone. Others like me, parents and community members, have gotten involved with Chispa Maryland and helped change climate and conservation policies for the better. Your involvement can help your community, too! I encourage you to reach out to the Chispa team at Maryland LCV (</span><a href="mailto:rpcalvo@mdlcv.org"><span style="font-weight: 400;">rpcalvo@mdlcv.org</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">) to learn more. </span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As a mother and a community leader, I urge everyone to support the continued adoption of electric school buses. Our children deserve the best possible start to their day, and with electric school buses, we can provide them with a healthier, happier, and more peaceful journey to school.</span></p></div></div><div class="fusion-meta-info"><div class="fusion-alignleft"><span class="vcard rich-snippet-hidden"><span class="fn"><a href="https://www.marylandconservation.org/author/jaul" title="Posts by Jason Aul" rel="author">Jason Aul</a></span></span><span class="updated rich-snippet-hidden">2024-06-27T13:25:00-04:00</span><span>June 27th, 2024</span><span class="fusion-inline-sep">|</span>Categories: <a href="https://www.marylandconservation.org/category/blog" rel="category tag">Blog</a>, <a href="https://www.marylandconservation.org/category/chispa" rel="category tag">CHISPA</a><span class="fusion-inline-sep">|</span></div><div class="fusion-alignright"> <a href="https://www.marylandconservation.org/2024/06/27/a-mothers-journey-cleaner-and-quieter-rides-for-our-children" class="fusion-read-more"> Read More </a></div></div></article><article id="post-16678" class="fusion-post-large post fusion-clearfix post-16678 type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-blog"><div class="fusion-post-content post-content"><h2 class="entry-title fusion-post-title"><a href="https://www.marylandconservation.org/2024/05/13/marylands-renewable-energy-landscape-part-two-of-our-100-clean-energy-blog-series">Maryland’s Renewable Energy Landscape (Part Two of our 100% Clean Energy Blog Series)</a></h2><div class="fusion-post-content-container"><p><div class="fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-4 fusion-ie-mode nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling" style='background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;'><div class="fusion-builder-row fusion-row "><div class="fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion_builder_column_1_1 fusion-builder-column-5 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last 1_1" style='margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;'><div class="fusion-column-wrapper" style="padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;" data-bg-url=""><div class="fusion-text"><h3><span style="color: #000000;">Maryland’s Renewable Energy Landscape</span></h3></div><div class="fusion-text"><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Governor Wes Moore has committed to achieving 100% clean energy by 2035. Achieving this goal ensures our state is helping lead efforts to keep our planet within the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) target of limiting global warming to 1.5-2°C above pre-industrial levels, while improving air quality and creating economic opportunities here in Maryland.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A transition toward a 100% clean energy economy is already underway in Maryland and across the globe. This transition will mitigate the impact of climate change and fossil energy infrastructure. It also provides an opportunity to provide restitution for past harms, support clean jobs, and secure a livable environment for future generations of Marylanders.</span></p></div><div class="fusion-clearfix"></div><div class="fusion-column-wrapper" style="content:'';z-index:-1;position:absolute;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;" data-bg-url=""></div></div></div></div></div><div class="fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-5 fusion-ie-mode nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling" style='background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;'><div class="fusion-builder-row fusion-row "><div class="fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion_builder_column_2_3 fusion-builder-column-6 fusion-two-third fusion-column-first 2_3" style='margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;width:66.66%;width:calc(66.66% - ( ( 4% ) * 0.6666 ) );margin-right: 4%;'><div class="fusion-column-wrapper" style="padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;" data-bg-url=""><div class="fusion-text"><p><b>The Need for Renewable Energy</b></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The move toward a more sustainable economy presents an opportunity to ensure a cleaner and more equitable future. This is often referred to as a just transition (see a few different definitions of a just transition </span><a href="https://www.mdlcv.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Just-Transition-Definitions-Fact-Sheet-1200x3000.png"><span style="font-weight: 400;">here</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">). We can ensure the clean economy and infrastructure we build to mitigate and adapt to climate change better suits everyone – regardless of where they are from, their family background, or current circumstances.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This blog provides a brief overview of Maryland’s renewable energy infrastructure landscape and just transition progress to date.</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> I’ll discuss where we are in terms of renewable energy deployment and the policies that have gotten us here. </span></p><p><b>Solar</b></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The 2009 Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act set a 14.5% carveout for solar energy in the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS). And while solar and wind energy projects represent the majority of new renewable power installations, Maryland is currently behind its solar goals.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">To date, utility-scale solar has deployed at slower rates than small-scale solar in Maryland. Small-scale solar – which includes community, ground-mounted, pole-mounted, and rooftop solar systems generating less than 1 MW – made up 60% of Maryland’s solar generation in 2022. In 2015, Maryland’s Community Solar Program was established as a pilot program, and was made permanent in 2023 through </span><a href="https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/hb0908/?ys=2023rs"><span style="font-weight: 400;">House Bill (HB) 908</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, with 40% of the projects in the program allocated to benefit low-to-moderate income (LMI) communities. Because it’s still difficult to install rooftop solar for those of us who rent, community solar is especially beneficial for renters. Community solar also supports the energy justice goal of more community-owned generators. Rooftop solar panel adoption remains challenging for LMI and other historically marginalized households because of the upfront costs and other requirements, like high minimum credit scores. As a sector, though, rooftop solar has expanded and now just 0.8% of solar-viable rooftops in Maryland get all or part of their energy from rooftop panels.</span> <b>For utility-scale solar, Maryland is currently transforming a former coal mine and brownfield site in Garrett County into what will be the largest solar project in the state. </b></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Solar represents a workforce opportunity, and last year, 6,865 Marylanders were employed in the solar industry, representing 2% of the U.S. solar workforce and 0.2% of Maryland’s workforce.</span></p></div><div class="fusion-clearfix"></div><div class="fusion-column-wrapper" style="content:'';z-index:-1;position:absolute;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;" data-bg-url=""></div></div></div><div class="fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion_builder_column_1_3 fusion-builder-column-7 fusion-one-third fusion-column-last 1_3" style='margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;width:33.33%;width:calc(33.33% - ( ( 4% ) * 0.3333 ) );'><div class="fusion-column-wrapper" style="padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;" data-bg-url=""> <span class="fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-3 hover-type-none"><img decoding="async" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Just-Transition-Definitions-Fact-Sheet.png" data-orig-src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Just-Transition-Definitions-Fact-Sheet.png" width="1600" height="4000" alt="" title="Just Transition Definitions Fact Sheet" class="lazyload img-responsive wp-image-16679" srcset="data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271600%27%20height%3D%274000%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%201600%204000%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%271600%27%20height%3D%2734000%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E" data-srcset="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Just-Transition-Definitions-Fact-Sheet-200x500.png 200w, https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Just-Transition-Definitions-Fact-Sheet-400x1000.png 400w, https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Just-Transition-Definitions-Fact-Sheet-600x1500.png 600w, https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Just-Transition-Definitions-Fact-Sheet-800x2000.png 800w, https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Just-Transition-Definitions-Fact-Sheet-1200x3000.png 1200w, https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Just-Transition-Definitions-Fact-Sheet.png 1600w" data-sizes="auto" data-orig-sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1600px" /></span><div class="fusion-clearfix"></div><div class="fusion-column-wrapper" style="content:'';z-index:-1;position:absolute;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;" data-bg-url=""></div></div></div></div></div><div class="fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-6 fusion-ie-mode nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling" style='background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;'><div class="fusion-builder-row fusion-row "><div class="fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion_builder_column_1_1 fusion-builder-column-8 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last 1_1" style='margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;'><div class="fusion-column-wrapper" style="padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;" data-bg-url=""><div class="fusion-text"><p><b>Wind</b></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Maryland’s utility-scale land-based wind capacity is very small, with almost all potential concentrated in Western Maryland. The four projects online include a total of 76 turbines with 190 MW rated capacity. Maryland’s commitment to wind energy development is largely materializing offshore, with the </span><a href="https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/sb0781/?ys=2023rs"><span style="font-weight: 400;">2023 Promoting Offshore Wind Energy Resources (POWER) Act</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> setting the state goal of 8.5 GW of offshore wind by 2031 and state-sponsored offshore wind supply chain grant and training programs. Two projects, Momentum Wind and MarWin are currently under development. Simultaneously, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has identified and proposed two Wind Energy Areas (WEAs), totaling 277,938 acres, for leasing in the Central Atlantic Call Area. A third lease area, closer to Maryland, was unfortunately scrapped from the final proposal but may be included in a 2025 lease area sale. </span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">We anticipate the 2024 lease area sale process to begin in the coming months when there will be opportunities for support and advocacy for this important industry. Our state is demonstrating leadership in the North Atlantic region through the revival of the Sparrows Point Steel facility in collaboration with United Steelworkers, U.S. Wind agreements with local unions, and serving as the homebase of the leading offshore renewable industry member-organization, the Oceantic Network.</span></p><p><b>Hydropower</b></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Hydropower is the longest standing form of renewable energy in the state and the most common in the world, and until last year when it was exceeded by solar generation, hydropower generated the most annual net generation of all renewable power in the state. The largest hydroelectric plant, the Conowingo Dam, has been key to renewable energy targets as other forms have lowered in cost over the years. Despite this, as you may also know, the Dam has also been the center of several environmental (read: Clean Water Act) violations/controversy.</span></p><p><b>Geothermal</b></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Maryland was the first state to add geothermal to its RPS. In the 2024 legislative session, Maryland passed the </span><a href="https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/hb0397"><span style="font-weight: 400;">WARMTH Act</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, a bill that will create a networked (neighborhood-scale) geothermal pilot program similar to the New York state pilot. Though networked pilot programs will be new to our state, geothermal has been adopted in several buildings in the state. As of August 2022, Maryland had 3,268 residential and commercial systems. Geothermal can provide households with energy savings potential of 25-50%. Baltimore Gas and Electric’s (BGE) Multi-Year Plan relies on geothermal adoption in its territory.</span></p><p><b>Storage</b></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Most renewable energy sources are intermittently available, thus making storage critical to the just transition. Storage can include batteries, fuel-cells, pumped hydro, and mobile batteries (including electric vehicles). Hybrid power plants site renewable energy generation near or alongside storage – this type of plant is growing in interest to developers. Last year, Maryland established an Energy Storage Program and the Public Service Commission convened a Workgroup that is set to establish guidelines for the program by 2025. This group is currently focused on outlining program eligibility both by storage type and, ultimately, some alternative metric to determine if a project qualifies for meeting a storage deployment target.</span></p><p><b>What Next?</b></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Despite progress, there remains an urgent need to decarbonize the electricity sector. Maryland still has to displace the 18,863,000 MWh of fossil-based generation in the state in order to meet our climate goals, aid in avoiding climate catastrophe, and clean up our air and waterways. Decision-makers could show a stronger commitment to ensuring no Marylander is left behind in efforts to mitigate climate change, and there remains a need to commit funding to and implement renewable energy policy goals. Continued use of principles and the practice of the just transition can guide us to 100% clean energy by 2035.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For more information on Maryland’s renewable energy landscape, you can find a fact sheet on our state’s key renewable energy policies </span><a href="https://www.mdlcv.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Just-Transition-Definitions-Fact-Sheet-1200x3000.png"><span style="font-weight: 400;">here</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p></div><div class="fusion-clearfix"></div><div class="fusion-column-wrapper" style="content:'';z-index:-1;position:absolute;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;" data-bg-url=""></div></div></div></div></div></p></div></div><div class="fusion-meta-info"><div class="fusion-alignleft"><span class="vcard rich-snippet-hidden"><span class="fn"><a href="https://www.marylandconservation.org/author/jaul" title="Posts by Jason Aul" rel="author">Jason Aul</a></span></span><span class="updated rich-snippet-hidden">2024-05-13T16:50:10-04:00</span><span>May 13th, 2024</span><span class="fusion-inline-sep">|</span>Categories: <a href="https://www.marylandconservation.org/category/blog" rel="category tag">Blog</a><span class="fusion-inline-sep">|</span></div><div class="fusion-alignright"> <a href="https://www.marylandconservation.org/2024/05/13/marylands-renewable-energy-landscape-part-two-of-our-100-clean-energy-blog-series" class="fusion-read-more"> Read More </a></div></div></article><article id="post-16663" class="fusion-post-large post fusion-clearfix post-16663 type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-blog"><div class="fusion-post-content post-content"><h2 class="entry-title fusion-post-title"><a href="https://www.marylandconservation.org/2024/04/26/100-clean-energy-campaign-blog-series-introduction">100% Clean Energy Campaign Blog Series: Introduction</a></h2><div class="fusion-post-content-container"><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">While the Maryland General Assembly’s 446th session recently came to a close, the work continues for Maryland League of Conservation Voters’ campaign for 100% Clean Energy by 2035.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">To celebrate the exciting work ahead for this campaign, Earth month, and the end of a session that addressed several climate, justice, and clean energy issues – we’re launching this blog series about where our state has been and where we still have to go in order to achieve our climate goals.</span></p><h2><b>About the Writer</b></h2><div style="display: flex; align-items: flex-start;"><div style="flex: 1; margin-right: 40px;"><figure style="margin: 0;"><img decoding="async" class="wp-image-17902 lazyload" style="display: block; margin: 0 auto;" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" data-src="https://www.mdlcv.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/IMG_9289-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="224" height="158" /><noscript><img decoding="async" class="wp-image-17902 lazyload" style="display: block; margin: 0 auto;" src="https://www.mdlcv.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/IMG_9289-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="224" height="158" /></noscript><figcaption style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;">Alexandra Grayson</figcaption></figure></div><div style="flex: 2;"><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I’m a third-generation Baltimorean, and I lived in Maryland my entire life until graduating from Baltimore City College. I moved down the street to Washington, D.C. to pursue my undergraduate degree from Howard University – and in 2022, I received my Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Environmental Science from Howard, in what is now the </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Department of Earth, Environment and Equity (E3)</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I am now a graduate student in the Energy and Resources Group at the University of California Berkeley but have been in the trenches in Annapolis for the last few months with the team at Maryland LCV as the Climate Policy and Justice Fellow. </span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Both sides of my family have been in the Chesapeake Bay area for at least 5 generations. The future of Baltimore, Maryland, and our region is important to me so that there can be at least 10, 20, 30+ more.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This role with Maryland LCV has provided me with an opportunity to advocate for a clean and just future for all Marylanders, which has been really rewarding.</span></p></div></div><h2><b>MDLCV’s Climate Policy and Justice Fellowship</b></h2><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Like many others also in Generation Z, my relationship with my climate optimism (and often pessimism) is complicated. Our vision for a just, net-zero future, where all can enjoy the benefits of a cleaner economy and healthier spaces to live, work and play, has yet to come to fruition.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Policy is a great – and in my view, one of the only – tool to effect systemic change that would make this vision possible. The Maryland League of Conservation Voters’ policy advocacy has played an integral role in getting Maryland’s environmental policy to where it is today.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Maryland has led the country with climate targets most in alignment with global emissions reduction targets. Our state’s </span><b>implementation and enforcement</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> of the Clean Energy Jobs Act and Climate Solutions Now Act provides a great opportunity to lead on climate beyond our appropriate goal setting. As an extremely proud Marylander, I’d love to see our state’s implementation also position us as a global climate leader.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In the upcoming blogs, I’ll discuss Maryland LCV’s 100% Clean Energy Campaign. This campaign represents one of the most exciting aspects of the fellowship: collaborating with fellow Maryland advocates to shape the state’s implementation of passed policy. It was exciting to come into the fellowship while the Maryland Department of Environment was finishing their plan for implementing the Climate Solutions Now Act – the Climate Pollution Reduction Plan – and while the planning for Maryland’s Energy Storage Program was taking place.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Playing a small role in helping pass new legislation was also extremely rewarding. The fellowship gave me the opportunity to conduct research to support advocacy for a bill that would ensure manufacturers have a role in meeting state greenhouse gas reduction goals. This bill, HB 990, ultimately passed both chambers and is being considered by the Governor to sign into law. The session, along with several wins, tends to not come without disappointments for all involved. For example, two years post-Maryland’s Climate Solutions Now Act, which defined overburdened and underserved environmental justice communities, it was disappointing to see HB24 pass the House without the addition of air permits. Maryland LCV is committed to rooting a clean energy campaign in justice and equity, with community-informed policies and outreach as core tenets.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I’ve learned so much during the fellowship about advocacy for an equitable and sustainable future. I enjoyed getting to meet, reacquaint myself with some, and work with Maryland’s climate advocates. </span><b>The work is rewarding because we’re playing a role in building a just, clean future for our state.</b></p><h2><b>100% Clean Blog Series</b></h2><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I’m excited to share some of what I’ve learned will be important to political climate action during this fellowship, and how MDLCV supporters can contribute to the 100% Clean Energy Campaign. You’ll also see some special guest posts and voices from colleagues at Maryland LCV as this blog series continues throughout the year. </span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">You can expect to read about:</span></p><ol><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Cost of Climate Change in Maryland</span></li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Maryland’s Renewable Energy Landscape</span></li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Environmental Justice</span></li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Maryland’s Climate Pollution Reduction Plan</span></li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">What 100% Clean Energy Policy Looks Like</span></li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">How You Can Get Involved!</span></li></ol></div></div><div class="fusion-meta-info"><div class="fusion-alignleft"><span class="vcard rich-snippet-hidden"><span class="fn"><a href="https://www.marylandconservation.org/author/jaul" title="Posts by Jason Aul" rel="author">Jason Aul</a></span></span><span class="updated rich-snippet-hidden">2024-04-29T10:24:04-04:00</span><span>April 26th, 2024</span><span class="fusion-inline-sep">|</span>Categories: <a href="https://www.marylandconservation.org/category/blog" rel="category tag">Blog</a><span class="fusion-inline-sep">|</span></div><div class="fusion-alignright"> <a href="https://www.marylandconservation.org/2024/04/26/100-clean-energy-campaign-blog-series-introduction" class="fusion-read-more"> Read More </a></div></div></article><article id="post-16467" class="fusion-post-large post fusion-clearfix post-16467 type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-blog category-education-fund category-mdlcv"><div class="fusion-post-content post-content"><h2 class="entry-title fusion-post-title"><a href="https://www.marylandconservation.org/2023/10/20/supporting-environmental-justice-federal-initiatives-and-opportunities-for-maryland">Supporting Environmental Justice: Federal Initiatives and Opportunities for Maryland</a></h2><div class="fusion-post-content-container"><div class="fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-7 fusion-ie-mode nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling" style='background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;'><div class="fusion-builder-row fusion-row "><div class="fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion_builder_column_1_1 fusion-builder-column-9 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last 1_1" style='margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;'><div class="fusion-column-wrapper" style="padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;" data-bg-url=""> <style type="text/css"></style><div class="fusion-title title fusion-title-1 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-one" style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:25px;"><h1 class="title-heading-left" style="margin:0;"><h4>By Rianne Nickerson</h4></h1></div><div style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.6; margin: 20px;"><p style="font-size: 18px; color: #333;"> In July, Vice President Kamala Harris visited <strong>Coppin State University</strong> in Baltimore to announce a $20 billion competition to advance a clean energy financing network, with the aim to substantially reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions nationwide. She spoke of underserved communities, a term that holds weight in Maryland having been defined and enshrined into law in the <em>Climate Solutions Now Act</em>. At the federal level, the Biden-Harris administration has taken action to prioritize environmental justice and create opportunities, directing funding and resources to those communities long burdened by environmental inequities. New policies are being adopted and grant programs are emerging to address injustice and put us on a path to a clean energy transition that is inclusive and equitable.</p><p style="font-size: 18px; color: #333;"> Under the <strong>Justice40 Initiative</strong> and the <strong>Inflation Reduction Act</strong>, the Federal Government and federal agencies have created several grant opportunities that local governments, organizations, communities, and tribes can take advantage of to create Environmental Justice programs or initiatives that help overburdened, underserved, and disadvantaged communities. The Environmental Protection Agency has created the <a href="https://www.epa.gov/inflation-reduction-act/inflation-reduction-act-environmental-and-climate-justice-program"><em>Climate and Environmental Justice Block Grants</em></a> to provide $3 billion in competitive, 3-year grants to states, tribes, municipalities, and community-based nonprofit organizations for financial and technical assistance to address clean air and climate pollution in disadvantaged communities.</p><p style="font-size: 18px; color: #333;"> The EPA has also created the <a href="https://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/environmental-justice-thriving-communities-grantmaking-program"><strong>Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program</strong></a>. This program is a competition to select Grantmakers to reduce the barriers to the federal grant application process that communities face and to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the awards process for environmental justice grants. Alongside the Grantmaking Program, the EPA has created the <a href="https://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/environmental-justice-thriving-communities-technical-assistance-centers"><em>Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers Program</em></a>. This program establishes technical assistance centers providing technical assistance, training, and related support to communities with environmental justice concerns. These technical assistance centers will ensure that deserving projects receive funding and project outcomes are successful for local communities.</p><p style="font-size: 18px; color: #333;"> These initiatives by federal entities are an important step in the fight for environmental justice. By understanding what options are available, Maryland’s local governments and community organizations can use these programs to directly address climate and pollution challenges, benefiting communities across the state. To that end, <strong>Maryland LCV Education Fund</strong> met with state and local government officials in August alongside the Maryland Association of Counties annual conference to share this packet of information about these environmental justice grant opportunities and how they fit into the efforts to map and understand environmental justice needs in Maryland: <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IPXyhlWhBXEiUPFbkAENMmDPIGGPafcF/view?usp=drive_link" style="color: #007BFF; text-decoration: none;">check it out here</a>.</p></div><div class="fusion-clearfix"></div><div class="fusion-column-wrapper" style="content:'';z-index:-1;position:absolute;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;" data-bg-url=""></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="fusion-meta-info"><div class="fusion-alignleft"><span class="vcard rich-snippet-hidden"><span class="fn"><a href="https://www.marylandconservation.org/author/jaul" title="Posts by Jason Aul" rel="author">Jason Aul</a></span></span><span class="updated rich-snippet-hidden">2024-02-14T11:34:27-05:00</span><span>October 20th, 2023</span><span class="fusion-inline-sep">|</span>Categories: <a href="https://www.marylandconservation.org/category/blog" rel="category tag">Blog</a>, <a href="https://www.marylandconservation.org/category/education-fund" rel="category tag">Education Fund</a>, <a href="https://www.marylandconservation.org/category/mdlcv" rel="category tag">MDLCV</a><span class="fusion-inline-sep">|</span></div><div class="fusion-alignright"> <a href="https://www.marylandconservation.org/2023/10/20/supporting-environmental-justice-federal-initiatives-and-opportunities-for-maryland" class="fusion-read-more"> Read More </a></div></div></article></div></div></section></div> </main> <div class="fusion-footer"><footer class="fusion-footer-widget-area fusion-widget-area"><div class="fusion-row"><div class="fusion-columns fusion-columns-2 fusion-widget-area"><div class="fusion-column col-lg-6 col-md-6 col-sm-6"><section id="block-9" class="fusion-footer-widget-column widget widget_block widget_text"><p><strong>Maryland League of Conservation Voters Education Fund</strong></p><div style="clear:both;"></div></section><section id="block-11" class="fusion-footer-widget-column widget widget_block widget_text"><p>30 West Street, Suite C<br>Annapolis, MD 21401<br><a href="tel:4102809855">410-280-9855</a><br><a href="mailto:edfundinfo@mdlcv.org">edfundinfo@mdlcv.org</a><br><strong>EIN# 52-2210858</strong><br><br>Paid for by Maryland League of Conservation Voters Education Fund</p><div style="clear:both;"></div></section><section id="block-12" class="fusion-footer-widget-column widget widget_block widget_media_image"><div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft size-thumbnail"><a href="https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/522210858"><img decoding="async" width="150" height="150" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/candid-seal-platinum-2023-150x150.png" alt="" class="wp-image-16600" srcset="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/candid-seal-platinum-2023-66x66.png 66w, https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/candid-seal-platinum-2023-150x150.png 150w, https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/candid-seal-platinum-2023-200x200.png 200w, https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/candid-seal-platinum-2023-300x300.png 300w, https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/candid-seal-platinum-2023-400x400.png 400w, https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/candid-seal-platinum-2023.png 522w" sizes="(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" /></a></figure></div><div style="clear:both;"></div></section></div><div class="fusion-column fusion-column-last col-lg-6 col-md-6 col-sm-6"><section id="block-3" class="fusion-footer-widget-column widget widget_block"><div class="wp-block-group"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow"></div></div><div style="clear:both;"></div></section><section id="nav_menu-3" class="fusion-footer-widget-column widget widget_nav_menu"><div class="menu-footer-menu-container"><ul id="menu-footer-menu" class="menu"><li id="menu-item-16229" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-16229"><a href="https://www.marylandconservation.org/privacy-statement">Privacy Statement</a></li></ul></div><div style="clear:both;"></div></section><section id="social_links-widget-4" class="fusion-footer-widget-column widget social_links"><div class="fusion-social-networks boxed-icons"><div class="fusion-social-networks-wrapper"> <a class="fusion-social-network-icon fusion-tooltip fusion-facebook fusion-icon-facebook" href="https://www.facebook.com/mdlcv/" data-placement="top" data-title="Facebook" data-toggle="tooltip" data-original-title="" title="Facebook" aria-label="Facebook" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_self" style="border-radius:4px;padding:8px;font-size:16px;color:#bebdbd;background-color:#e8e8e8;border-color:#e8e8e8;"></a> <a class="fusion-social-network-icon fusion-tooltip fusion-twitter fusion-icon-twitter" href="https://twitter.com/MDLCV" data-placement="top" data-title="Twitter" data-toggle="tooltip" data-original-title="" title="Twitter" aria-label="Twitter" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_self" style="border-radius:4px;padding:8px;font-size:16px;color:#bebdbd;background-color:#e8e8e8;border-color:#e8e8e8;"></a> <a class="fusion-social-network-icon fusion-tooltip fusion-linkedin fusion-icon-linkedin" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/maryland-league-of-conservation-voters?trk=biz-companies-cym" data-placement="top" data-title="LinkedIn" data-toggle="tooltip" data-original-title="" title="LinkedIn" aria-label="LinkedIn" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_self" style="border-radius:4px;padding:8px;font-size:16px;color:#bebdbd;background-color:#e8e8e8;border-color:#e8e8e8;"></a> <a class="fusion-social-network-icon fusion-tooltip fusion-instagram fusion-icon-instagram" href="https://instagram.com/marylandlcv/" data-placement="top" data-title="Instagram" data-toggle="tooltip" data-original-title="" title="Instagram" aria-label="Instagram" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_self" style="border-radius:4px;padding:8px;font-size:16px;color:#bebdbd;background-color:#e8e8e8;border-color:#e8e8e8;"></a> <a class="fusion-social-network-icon fusion-tooltip fusion-youtube fusion-icon-youtube" href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAWQR-BQjDphsRNzjdQOAcQ" data-placement="top" data-title="Youtube" data-toggle="tooltip" data-original-title="" title="YouTube" aria-label="YouTube" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_self" style="border-radius:4px;padding:8px;font-size:16px;color:#bebdbd;background-color:#e8e8e8;border-color:#e8e8e8;"></a></div></div><div style="clear:both;"></div></section></div><div class="fusion-clearfix"></div></div> </div> </footer> </div> <div class="fusion-sliding-bar-wrapper"><div id="slidingbar-area" class="slidingbar-area fusion-sliding-bar-area fusion-widget-area fusion-sliding-bar-position-top fusion-sliding-bar-text-align-left fusion-sliding-bar-toggle-triangle fusion-sliding-bar-sticky" data-breakpoint="1000" data-toggle="triangle"><div class="fusion-sb-toggle-wrapper"> <a class="fusion-sb-toggle" href="#"><span class="screen-reader-text">Toggle Sliding Bar Area</span></a></div><div id="slidingbar" class="fusion-sliding-bar"><div class="fusion-row"><div class="fusion-columns row fusion-columns-2 columns columns-2"><div class="fusion-column col-lg-6 col-md-6 col-sm-6"></div><div class="fusion-column col-lg-6 col-md-6 col-sm-6"><section id="menu-widget-2" class="fusion-slidingbar-widget-column widget menu"><style type="text/css">#menu-widget-2{text-align:left;}#menu-widget-2>.fusion-widget-menu li{display:inline-block;}#menu-widget-2 ul li a{display:inline-block;padding:0;border:0;color:#000;font-size:15px;}#menu-widget-2 ul li a:after{content:"";color:#000;padding-right:25px;padding-left:25px;font-size:15px;}#menu-widget-2 ul li a:hover,#menu-widget-2 ul .menu-item.current-menu-item a{color:#81d4af;}#menu-widget-2 ul li:last-child a:after{display:none;}#menu-widget-2 ul li .fusion-widget-cart-number{margin:0 7px;background-color:#81d4af;color:#000;}#menu-widget-2 ul li.fusion-active-cart-icon .fusion-widget-cart-icon:after{color:#81d4af;}</style><nav class="fusion-widget-menu" aria-label="Secondary navigation"><ul id="menu-work-with-us" class="menu"><li id="menu-item-10362" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-10362"><a href="#commdirect">Communications Director</a></li></ul></nav><div style="clear:both;"></div></section></div><div class="fusion-clearfix"></div></div></div></div></div></div></div> </div> <div class="fusion-top-frame"></div><div class="fusion-bottom-frame"></div><div class="fusion-boxed-shadow"></div> <a class="fusion-one-page-text-link fusion-page-load-link"></a><div class="avada-footer-scripts"> <script> ( function ( body ) { 'use strict'; body.className = body.className.replace( /\btribe-no-js\b/, 'tribe-js' ); } )( document.body ); </script> <script> /* <![CDATA[ */var tribe_l10n_datatables = {"aria":{"sort_ascending":": activate to sort column ascending","sort_descending":": activate to sort column descending"},"length_menu":"Show _MENU_ entries","empty_table":"No data available in table","info":"Showing _START_ to _END_ of _TOTAL_ entries","info_empty":"Showing 0 to 0 of 0 entries","info_filtered":"(filtered from _MAX_ total entries)","zero_records":"No matching records found","search":"Search:","all_selected_text":"All items on this page were selected. ","select_all_link":"Select all pages","clear_selection":"Clear Selection.","pagination":{"all":"All","next":"Next","previous":"Previous"},"select":{"rows":{"0":"","_":": Selected %d rows","1":": Selected 1 row"}},"datepicker":{"dayNames":["Sunday","Monday","Tuesday","Wednesday","Thursday","Friday","Saturday"],"dayNamesShort":["Sun","Mon","Tue","Wed","Thu","Fri","Sat"],"dayNamesMin":["S","M","T","W","T","F","S"],"monthNames":["January","February","March","April","May","June","July","August","September","October","November","December"],"monthNamesShort":["January","February","March","April","May","June","July","August","September","October","November","December"],"monthNamesMin":["Jan","Feb","Mar","Apr","May","Jun","Jul","Aug","Sep","Oct","Nov","Dec"],"nextText":"Next","prevText":"Prev","currentText":"Today","closeText":"Done","today":"Today","clear":"Clear"}};/* ]]> */ </script><script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-includes/js/dist/hooks.min.js" id="wp-hooks-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-includes/js/dist/i18n.min.js" id="wp-i18n-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" id="wp-i18n-js-after"> /* <![CDATA[ */ wp.i18n.setLocaleData( { 'text direction\u0004ltr': [ 'ltr' ] } ); /* ]]> */ </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/plugins/contact-form-7/includes/swv/js/index.js" id="swv-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" id="contact-form-7-js-before"> /* <![CDATA[ */ var wpcf7 = { "api": { "root": "https:\/\/www.marylandconservation.org\/wp-json\/", "namespace": "contact-form-7\/v1" }, "cached": 1 }; /* ]]> */ </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/plugins/contact-form-7/includes/js/index.js" id="contact-form-7-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/plugins/sg-cachepress/assets/js/lazysizes.min.js" id="siteground-optimizer-lazy-sizes-js-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/plugins/google-site-kit/dist/assets/js/googlesitekit-consent-mode-3d6495dceaebc28bcca3.js" id="googlesitekit-consent-mode-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/themes/Avada/includes/lib/assets/min/js/library/isotope.js" id="isotope-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/themes/Avada/includes/lib/assets/min/js/library/jquery.infinitescroll.js" id="jquery-infinite-scroll-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/plugins/fusion-core/js/min/avada-faqs.js" id="avada-faqs-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/themes/Avada/includes/lib/assets/min/js/library/modernizr.js" id="modernizr-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/themes/Avada/includes/lib/assets/min/js/library/jquery.fitvids.js" id="jquery-fitvids-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" id="fusion-video-general-js-extra"> /* <![CDATA[ */ var fusionVideoGeneralVars = {"status_vimeo":"1","status_yt":"1"}; /* ]]> */ </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/themes/Avada/includes/lib/assets/min/js/library/fusion-video-general.js" id="fusion-video-general-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" id="jquery-lightbox-js-extra"> /* <![CDATA[ */ var fusionLightboxVideoVars = {"lightbox_video_width":"1280","lightbox_video_height":"720"}; /* ]]> */ </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/themes/Avada/includes/lib/assets/min/js/library/jquery.ilightbox.js" id="jquery-lightbox-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/themes/Avada/includes/lib/assets/min/js/library/jquery.mousewheel.js" id="jquery-mousewheel-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" id="fusion-lightbox-js-extra"> /* <![CDATA[ */ var fusionLightboxVars = {"status_lightbox":"1","lightbox_gallery":"1","lightbox_skin":"metro-white","lightbox_title":"1","lightbox_arrows":"1","lightbox_slideshow_speed":"5000","lightbox_autoplay":"","lightbox_opacity":"0.9","lightbox_desc":"1","lightbox_social":"1","lightbox_deeplinking":"1","lightbox_path":"vertical","lightbox_post_images":"1","lightbox_animation_speed":"normal"}; /* ]]> */ </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/themes/Avada/includes/lib/assets/min/js/general/fusion-lightbox.js" id="fusion-lightbox-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/themes/Avada/includes/lib/assets/min/js/library/imagesLoaded.js" id="images-loaded-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/themes/Avada/includes/lib/assets/min/js/library/packery.js" id="packery-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" id="avada-portfolio-js-extra"> /* <![CDATA[ */ var avadaPortfolioVars = {"lightbox_behavior":"all","infinite_finished_msg":"<em>All items displayed.<\/em>","infinite_blog_text":"<em>Loading the next set of posts...<\/em>","content_break_point":"1000"}; /* ]]> */ </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/plugins/fusion-core/js/min/avada-portfolio.js" id="avada-portfolio-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/plugins/fusion-builder/assets/js/min/library/Chart.js" id="fusion-chartjs-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/plugins/fusion-builder/assets/js/min/general/fusion-chart.js" id="fusion-chart-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" id="fusion-column-bg-image-js-extra"> /* <![CDATA[ */ var fusionBgImageVars = {"content_break_point":"1000"}; /* ]]> */ </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/plugins/fusion-builder/assets/js/min/general/fusion-column-bg-image.js" id="fusion-column-bg-image-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/themes/Avada/includes/lib/assets/min/js/library/cssua.js" id="cssua-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/themes/Avada/includes/lib/assets/min/js/library/jquery.waypoints.js" id="jquery-waypoints-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/themes/Avada/includes/lib/assets/min/js/general/fusion-waypoints.js" id="fusion-waypoints-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" id="fusion-animations-js-extra"> /* <![CDATA[ */ var fusionAnimationsVars = {"status_css_animations":"desktop"}; /* ]]> */ </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/plugins/fusion-builder/assets/js/min/general/fusion-animations.js" id="fusion-animations-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" id="fusion-equal-heights-js-extra"> /* <![CDATA[ */ var fusionEqualHeightVars = {"content_break_point":"1000"}; /* ]]> */ </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/themes/Avada/includes/lib/assets/min/js/general/fusion-equal-heights.js" id="fusion-equal-heights-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/plugins/fusion-builder/assets/js/min/general/fusion-column.js" id="fusion-column-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/themes/Avada/includes/lib/assets/min/js/library/jquery.fade.js" id="jquery-fade-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/themes/Avada/includes/lib/assets/min/js/library/jquery.requestAnimationFrame.js" id="jquery-request-animation-frame-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/themes/Avada/includes/lib/assets/min/js/library/fusion-parallax.js" id="fusion-parallax-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" id="fusion-video-bg-js-extra"> /* <![CDATA[ */ var fusionVideoBgVars = {"status_vimeo":"1","status_yt":"1"}; /* ]]> */ </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/themes/Avada/includes/lib/assets/min/js/library/fusion-video-bg.js" id="fusion-video-bg-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" id="fusion-container-js-extra"> /* <![CDATA[ */ var fusionContainerVars = {"content_break_point":"1000","container_hundred_percent_height_mobile":"0","is_sticky_header_transparent":"0"}; /* ]]> */ </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/plugins/fusion-builder/assets/js/min/general/fusion-container.js" id="fusion-container-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/plugins/fusion-builder/assets/js/min/general/fusion-content-boxes.js" id="fusion-content-boxes-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/plugins/fusion-builder/assets/js/min/library/jquery.countdown.js" id="jquery-count-down-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/plugins/fusion-builder/assets/js/min/general/fusion-countdown.js" id="fusion-count-down-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/plugins/fusion-builder/assets/js/min/library/jquery.countTo.js" id="jquery-count-to-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/themes/Avada/includes/lib/assets/min/js/library/jquery.appear.js" id="jquery-appear-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" id="fusion-counters-box-js-extra"> /* <![CDATA[ */ var fusionCountersBox = {"counter_box_speed":"1000"}; /* ]]> */ </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/plugins/fusion-builder/assets/js/min/general/fusion-counters-box.js" id="fusion-counters-box-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/themes/Avada/includes/lib/assets/min/js/library/jquery.easyPieChart.js" id="jquery-easy-pie-chart-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/plugins/fusion-builder/assets/js/min/general/fusion-counters-circle.js" id="fusion-counters-circle-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/plugins/fusion-builder/assets/js/min/general/fusion-events.js" id="fusion-events-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/plugins/fusion-builder/assets/js/min/general/fusion-flip-boxes.js" id="fusion-flip-boxes-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/plugins/fusion-builder/assets/js/min/general/fusion-gallery.js" id="fusion-gallery-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" id="jquery-fusion-maps-js-extra"> /* <![CDATA[ */ var fusionMapsVars = {"admin_ajax":"https:\/\/www.marylandconservation.org\/wp-admin\/admin-ajax.php"}; /* ]]> */ </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/themes/Avada/includes/lib/assets/min/js/library/jquery.fusion_maps.js" id="jquery-fusion-maps-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/themes/Avada/includes/lib/assets/min/js/general/fusion-google-map.js" id="fusion-google-map-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/plugins/fusion-builder/assets/js/min/library/jquery.event.move.js" id="jquery-event-move-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/plugins/fusion-builder/assets/js/min/general/fusion-image-before-after.js" id="fusion-image-before-after-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/themes/Avada/includes/lib/assets/min/js/library/bootstrap.modal.js" id="bootstrap-modal-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/plugins/fusion-builder/assets/js/min/general/fusion-modal.js" id="fusion-modal-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/plugins/fusion-builder/assets/js/min/general/fusion-progress.js" id="fusion-progress-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" id="fusion-recent-posts-js-extra"> /* <![CDATA[ */ var fusionRecentPostsVars = {"infinite_loading_text":"<em>Loading the next set of posts...<\/em>","infinite_finished_msg":"<em>All items displayed.<\/em>"}; /* ]]> */ </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/plugins/fusion-builder/assets/js/min/general/fusion-recent-posts.js" id="fusion-recent-posts-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/plugins/fusion-builder/assets/js/min/general/fusion-syntax-highlighter.js" id="fusion-syntax-highlighter-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/themes/Avada/includes/lib/assets/min/js/library/bootstrap.transition.js" id="bootstrap-transition-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/themes/Avada/includes/lib/assets/min/js/library/bootstrap.tab.js" id="bootstrap-tab-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" id="fusion-tabs-js-extra"> /* <![CDATA[ */ var fusionTabVars = {"content_break_point":"1000"}; /* ]]> */ </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/plugins/fusion-builder/assets/js/min/general/fusion-tabs.js" id="fusion-tabs-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/themes/Avada/includes/lib/assets/min/js/library/jquery.cycle.js" id="jquery-cycle-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" id="fusion-testimonials-js-extra"> /* <![CDATA[ */ var fusionTestimonialVars = {"testimonials_speed":"4000"}; /* ]]> */ </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/plugins/fusion-builder/assets/js/min/general/fusion-testimonials.js" id="fusion-testimonials-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/plugins/fusion-builder/assets/js/min/library/jquery.textillate.js" id="jquery-title-textillate-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/plugins/fusion-builder/assets/js/min/general/fusion-title.js" id="fusion-title-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/themes/Avada/includes/lib/assets/min/js/library/bootstrap.collapse.js" id="bootstrap-collapse-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/plugins/fusion-builder/assets/js/min/general/fusion-toggles.js" id="fusion-toggles-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/themes/Avada/includes/lib/assets/min/js/library/vimeoPlayer.js" id="vimeo-player-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" id="fusion-video-js-extra"> /* <![CDATA[ */ var fusionVideoVars = {"status_vimeo":"1"}; /* ]]> */ </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/plugins/fusion-builder/assets/js/min/general/fusion-video.js" id="fusion-video-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/themes/Avada/includes/lib/assets/min/js/library/jquery.hoverintent.js" id="jquery-hover-intent-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/plugins/fusion-core/js/min/fusion-vertical-menu-widget.js" id="avada-vertical-menu-widget-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/themes/Avada/includes/lib/assets/min/js/library/lazysizes.js" id="lazysizes-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/themes/Avada/includes/lib/assets/min/js/library/bootstrap.tooltip.js" id="bootstrap-tooltip-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/themes/Avada/includes/lib/assets/min/js/library/bootstrap.popover.js" id="bootstrap-popover-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/themes/Avada/includes/lib/assets/min/js/library/jquery.carouFredSel.js" id="jquery-caroufredsel-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/themes/Avada/includes/lib/assets/min/js/library/jquery.easing.js" id="jquery-easing-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/themes/Avada/includes/lib/assets/min/js/library/jquery.flexslider.js" id="jquery-flexslider-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/themes/Avada/includes/lib/assets/min/js/library/jquery.hoverflow.js" id="jquery-hover-flow-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/plugins/the-events-calendar/vendor/jquery-placeholder/jquery.placeholder.min.js" id="jquery-placeholder-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/themes/Avada/includes/lib/assets/min/js/library/jquery.touchSwipe.js" id="jquery-touch-swipe-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/themes/Avada/includes/lib/assets/min/js/general/fusion-alert.js" id="fusion-alert-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" id="fusion-carousel-js-extra"> /* <![CDATA[ */ var fusionCarouselVars = {"related_posts_speed":"2500","carousel_speed":"2500"}; /* ]]> */ </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/themes/Avada/includes/lib/assets/min/js/general/fusion-carousel.js" id="fusion-carousel-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" id="fusion-flexslider-js-extra"> /* <![CDATA[ */ var fusionFlexSliderVars = {"status_vimeo":"1","slideshow_autoplay":"1","slideshow_speed":"7000","pagination_video_slide":"","status_yt":"1","flex_smoothHeight":"false"}; /* ]]> */ </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/themes/Avada/includes/lib/assets/min/js/general/fusion-flexslider.js" id="fusion-flexslider-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/themes/Avada/includes/lib/assets/min/js/general/fusion-popover.js" id="fusion-popover-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/themes/Avada/includes/lib/assets/min/js/general/fusion-tooltip.js" id="fusion-tooltip-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/themes/Avada/includes/lib/assets/min/js/general/fusion-sharing-box.js" id="fusion-sharing-box-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" id="fusion-blog-js-extra"> /* <![CDATA[ */ var fusionBlogVars = {"infinite_blog_text":"<em>Loading the next set of posts...<\/em>","infinite_finished_msg":"<em>All items displayed.<\/em>","slideshow_autoplay":"1","lightbox_behavior":"all","blog_pagination_type":"pagination"}; /* ]]> */ </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/themes/Avada/includes/lib/assets/min/js/general/fusion-blog.js" id="fusion-blog-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/themes/Avada/includes/lib/assets/min/js/general/fusion-button.js" id="fusion-button-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/themes/Avada/includes/lib/assets/min/js/general/fusion-general-global.js" id="fusion-general-global-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/themes/Avada/includes/lib/assets/min/js/general/fusion.js" id="fusion-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" id="avada-header-js-extra"> /* <![CDATA[ */ var avadaHeaderVars = {"header_position":"top","header_sticky":"1","header_sticky_type2_layout":"menu_only","header_sticky_shadow":"1","side_header_break_point":"1000","header_sticky_mobile":"","header_sticky_tablet":"","mobile_menu_design":"modern","sticky_header_shrinkage":"","nav_height":"120","nav_highlight_border":"0","nav_highlight_style":"bar","logo_margin_top":"10px","logo_margin_bottom":"100px","layout_mode":"wide","header_padding_top":"0px","header_padding_bottom":"0px","scroll_offset":"full"}; /* ]]> */ </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/themes/Avada/assets/min/js/general/avada-header.js" id="avada-header-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" id="avada-menu-js-extra"> /* <![CDATA[ */ var avadaMenuVars = {"site_layout":"wide","header_position":"top","logo_alignment":"left","header_sticky":"1","header_sticky_mobile":"","header_sticky_tablet":"","side_header_break_point":"1000","megamenu_base_width":"site_width","mobile_menu_design":"modern","dropdown_goto":"Go to...","mobile_nav_cart":"Shopping Cart","mobile_submenu_open":"Open submenu of %s","mobile_submenu_close":"Close submenu of %s","submenu_slideout":"1"}; /* ]]> */ </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/themes/Avada/assets/min/js/general/avada-menu.js" id="avada-menu-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" id="fusion-scroll-to-anchor-js-extra"> /* <![CDATA[ */ var fusionScrollToAnchorVars = {"content_break_point":"1000","container_hundred_percent_height_mobile":"0"}; /* ]]> */ </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/themes/Avada/includes/lib/assets/min/js/general/fusion-scroll-to-anchor.js" id="fusion-scroll-to-anchor-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" id="fusion-responsive-typography-js-extra"> /* <![CDATA[ */ var fusionTypographyVars = {"site_width":"1100px","typography_responsive":"","typography_sensitivity":"0.60","typography_factor":"1.50","elements":"h1, h2, h3, h4, h5, h6"}; /* ]]> */ </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/themes/Avada/includes/lib/assets/min/js/general/fusion-responsive-typography.js" id="fusion-responsive-typography-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/themes/Avada/assets/min/js/general/avada-skip-link-focus-fix.js" id="avada-skip-link-focus-fix-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/themes/Avada/assets/min/js/library/bootstrap.scrollspy.js" id="bootstrap-scrollspy-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" id="avada-comments-js-extra"> /* <![CDATA[ */ var avadaCommentVars = {"title_style_type":"none","title_margin_top":"0px","title_margin_bottom":"25px"}; /* ]]> */ </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/themes/Avada/assets/min/js/general/avada-comments.js" id="avada-comments-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/themes/Avada/assets/min/js/general/avada-general-footer.js" id="avada-general-footer-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/themes/Avada/assets/min/js/general/avada-quantity.js" id="avada-quantity-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/themes/Avada/assets/min/js/general/avada-scrollspy.js" id="avada-scrollspy-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/themes/Avada/assets/min/js/general/avada-select.js" id="avada-select-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" id="avada-sidebars-js-extra"> /* <![CDATA[ */ var avadaSidebarsVars = {"header_position":"top","header_layout":"v3","header_sticky":"1","header_sticky_type2_layout":"menu_only","side_header_break_point":"1000","header_sticky_tablet":"","sticky_header_shrinkage":"","nav_height":"120","sidebar_break_point":"800"}; /* ]]> */ </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/themes/Avada/assets/min/js/general/avada-sidebars.js" id="avada-sidebars-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/themes/Avada/assets/min/js/library/jquery.sticky-kit.js" id="jquery-sticky-kit-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/themes/Avada/assets/min/js/general/avada-tabs-widget.js" id="avada-tabs-widget-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" id="avada-wpml-js-extra"> /* <![CDATA[ */ var avadaLanguageVars = {"language_flag":"en"}; /* ]]> */ </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/themes/Avada/assets/min/js/general/avada-wpml.js" id="avada-wpml-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/themes/Avada/assets/min/js/general/avada-container-scroll.js" id="avada-container-scroll-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" id="jquery-to-top-js-extra"> /* <![CDATA[ */ var toTopscreenReaderText = {"label":"Go to Top"}; /* ]]> */ </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/themes/Avada/assets/min/js/library/jquery.toTop.js" id="jquery-to-top-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" id="avada-to-top-js-extra"> /* <![CDATA[ */ var avadaToTopVars = {"status_totop":"desktop","totop_position":"right","totop_scroll_down_only":"0"}; /* ]]> */ </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/themes/Avada/assets/min/js/general/avada-to-top.js" id="avada-to-top-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/themes/Avada/assets/min/js/general/avada-sliding-bar.js" id="avada-sliding-bar-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" id="avada-drop-down-js-extra"> /* <![CDATA[ */ var avadaSelectVars = {"avada_drop_down":"1"}; /* ]]> */ </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/themes/Avada/assets/min/js/general/avada-drop-down.js" id="avada-drop-down-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/themes/Avada/assets/min/js/general/avada-contact-form-7.js" id="avada-contact-form-7-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/themes/Avada/assets/min/js/general/avada-events.js" id="avada-events-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" id="avada-fusion-slider-js-extra"> /* <![CDATA[ */ var avadaFusionSliderVars = {"side_header_break_point":"1000","slider_position":"below","header_transparency":"0","mobile_header_transparency":"0","header_position":"top","content_break_point":"1000","status_vimeo":"1"}; /* ]]> */ </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/plugins/fusion-core/js/min/avada-fusion-slider.js" id="avada-fusion-slider-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.google.com/recaptcha/api.js?render=6Lf4iOwjAAAAALSyx9BUreb6GHOvatZwhr4pVZwj&ver=3.0" id="google-recaptcha-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-includes/js/dist/vendor/wp-polyfill.min.js" id="wp-polyfill-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" id="wpcf7-recaptcha-js-before"> /* <![CDATA[ */ var wpcf7_recaptcha = { "sitekey": "6Lf4iOwjAAAAALSyx9BUreb6GHOvatZwhr4pVZwj", "actions": { "homepage": "homepage", "contactform": "contactform" } }; /* ]]> */ </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/plugins/contact-form-7/modules/recaptcha/index.js" id="wpcf7-recaptcha-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" id="wp-consent-api-js-extra"> /* <![CDATA[ */ var consent_api = {"consent_type":"","waitfor_consent_hook":"","cookie_expiration":"30","cookie_prefix":"wp_consent"}; /* ]]> */ </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-content/plugins/wp-consent-api/assets/js/wp-consent-api.min.js" id="wp-consent-api-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" id="tiktok-pixel-tracking-handle-header-js-after"> /* <![CDATA[ */ !function (w, d, t) { w.TiktokAnalyticsObject=t;var ttq=w[t]=w[t]||[];ttq.methods=["page","track","identify","instances","debug","on","off","once","ready","alias","group","enableCookie","disableCookie"],ttq.setAndDefer=function(t,e){t[e]=function(){t.push([e].concat(Array.prototype.slice.call(arguments,0)))}};for(var i=0;i<ttq.methods.length;i++)ttq.setAndDefer(ttq,ttq.methods[i]);ttq.instance=function(t){for(var e=ttq._i[t]||[],n=0;n<ttq.methods.length;n++)ttq.setAndDefer(e,ttq.methods[n]);return e},ttq.load=function(e,n){var i="https://analytics.tiktok.com/i18n/pixel/events.js";ttq._i=ttq._i||{},ttq._i[e]=[],ttq._i[e]._u=i,ttq._t=ttq._t||{},ttq._t[e]=+new Date,ttq._o=ttq._o||{},ttq._o[e]=n||{},ttq._partner=ttq._partner||"WordPress";var o=document.createElement("script");o.type="text/javascript",o.async=!0,o.src=i+"?sdkid="+e+"&lib="+t;var a=document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0];a.parentNode.insertBefore(o,a)}; ttq.load('CRM5MC3C77U40MO98FD0'); }(window, document, 'ttq'); /* ]]> */ </script> <script type="text/javascript" id="tiktok-tracking-handle-header-js-after"> /* <![CDATA[ */ ttq.instance('CRM5MC3C77U40MO98FD0').track('Pageview', {'event_id': '67c31077793e1_tt4b_woocommerce_66ec5b6aca3d2'}) ttq.instance('CRM5MC3C77U40MO98FD0').identify({ email: 'e3b0c44298fc1c149afbf4c8996fb92427ae41e4649b934ca495991b7852b855', phone_number: 'e3b0c44298fc1c149afbf4c8996fb92427ae41e4649b934ca495991b7852b855', first_name: 'e3b0c44298fc1c149afbf4c8996fb92427ae41e4649b934ca495991b7852b855', last_name: 'e3b0c44298fc1c149afbf4c8996fb92427ae41e4649b934ca495991b7852b855', zip_code: 'e3b0c44298fc1c149afbf4c8996fb92427ae41e4649b934ca495991b7852b855' }) /* ]]> */ </script> <script type="text/javascript"> (function() { var expirationDate = new Date(); expirationDate.setTime( expirationDate.getTime() + 31536000 * 1000 ); document.cookie = "pll_language=en; expires=" + expirationDate.toUTCString() + "; path=/; secure; SameSite=Lax"; }()); </script> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery( document ).ready( function() { var ajaxurl = 'https://www.marylandconservation.org/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php'; if ( 0 < jQuery( '.fusion-login-nonce' ).length ) { jQuery.get( ajaxurl, { 'action': 'fusion_login_nonce' }, function( response ) { jQuery( '.fusion-login-nonce' ).html( response ); }); } }); </script> <noscript><iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-WLMZD7XK" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript></div></body></html>