Hypocrisy is defined as saying one thing while doing another. In Maryland, Governor Wes Moore signed an order to address climate change, which poses serious threats to public health and the environment.
● Executive Order: On June 4, 2024, Maryland implemented a Climate Pollution Reduction Plan aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions significantly by 2031 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2045.
● Economic Impact: The plan is estimated to generate public health benefits of $1.2 billion, increase personal income by $2.5 billion, and create 27,400 jobs by 2031.
● Bresco Incinerator: Located in Baltimore, this facility is the largest single polluter in the city, emitting significant amounts of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and carbon dioxide (CO2). It is responsible for 36% of the city’s total air emissions and substantially contributes to local air pollution.
● Environmental Injustice: Communities near Bresco, which are predominantly low-income and Black, experience severe health impacts, including high asthma hospitalization rates and lower life expectancies, resulting in $55 million in annual health costs.
● Current Status: Despite these issues, Maryland has subsidized the incinerator as a renewable energy source. Recently, the legislature moved to end this classification and redirected funds toward cleaner energy sources.
● Future Outlook: Bresco is expected to operate through the mid-2030s, highlighting ongoing challenges balancing pollution control and waste management strategies.
Maryland's efforts to combat climate change face contradictions, particularly with the Bresco waste incinerator's significant emissions and the environmental injustices affecting marginalized communities nearby. The state continues to navigate complex issues in addressing both energy needs and public health.
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