Annapolis, MD — Today, the Maryland Senate Committee voted unanimously to advance HB1035/SB0937, the Next Generation Energy bill. The vote comes nearly a month after over 50 Marylanders joined environmental organizations to denounce the bill, which encourages the buildout of dirty new gas and nuclear power plants, and fast tracks their development in communities already experiencing harm from fossil fuels.

The bill outlines plans for “dispatchable energy” that has “lower greenhouse gas emissions profile than coal or oil energy generation stations.” All fossil fuels, including gas, emit a number of carcinogenic and toxic pollutants, and gas-fired power plants emit significant amounts of methane, nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter. All are associated with respiratory and reproductive issues, headaches, heart disease, and strokes. Nuclear reactors also create dangerous, radioactive waste that would likely be stored on-site.

In response, Food & Water Watch Southern Regional Director Jorge Aguilar issued the following statement:

“It’s disappointing that Senators voted to pass a bill that guarantees that companies automatically get a key permit to build out their power plants in abandoned sites or where dirty facilities already exist. Worse yet, the legislation allows their certification to move forward, independent of any concerns raised during critical health and environmental impact review periods. The damage this legislation would do to Maryland’s communities — in particular, to low income and communities of color — would last for generations. Maryland hasn’t seen new nuclear reactors or gas plants like those proposed in this bill for many years, and for good reason — they poison communities.

“Our legislators need to protect their constituents. Although legislators scrambled to throw in provisions to make the bill more palatable, the ringing endorsement of methane gas and nuclear reactors over renewables is as shameful as it is regressive.” 

If passed, the bill will go into effect July 1, 2025.