Md. Bills To Cut Pollution Signed

O'Malley Highlights Eco-Friendly Laws

Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley yesterday signed a slew of environmental legislation into law, including measures to toughen automobile emissions standards, reduce phosphorus in dishwashing detergents and lease parcels of underwater land for oyster-restoration projects.

The bills were among 173 signed by O'Malley (D) during the second in a series of ceremonies to follow the recently concluded legislative session in Annapolis. Yesterday morning's event was designed to highlight the number of initiatives passed this year after four years in which environmentalists often felt stymied by O'Malley's Republican predecessor, Robert L. Ehrlich Jr.

"Some of these things happened with so little controversy . . . that I don't think they got the attention they otherwise would," said O'Malley, flanked by the legislature's two presiding officers, both Democrats. "At the end of the day, I don't think there is another issue [besides the environment] that underscores the common good and our shared future together."

O'Malley and others held up live turtles, underscoring the jubilant atmosphere, as the governor signed a bill prohibiting the commercial harvesting of the diamondback terrapin. The state reptile has been under siege from turtle traders in East Asia, who are feeding South China's newfound appetite for expensive turtle soup.

But even with the return of one-party rule to Annapolis, environmentalists did not walk away with all they wanted during the 90-day session, in part because of concerns about a $1.5 billion deficit projected for fiscal 2009.

One far-reaching initiative, a so-called "Green Fund" bill, passed the House of Delegates but never came to a vote in the Senate. The measure would have paid for pollution-reduction projects in part by charging residential developers 50 cents per square foot of paved surface. Another failed bill would have established a statewide cap on greenhouse gas emissions.

Still, environmental groups said they were pleased with O'Malley's first session, noting that major legislation in Annapolis often takes several years to pass.

"This is about the best warm-up year we could hope for," said Brad Heavner, state director of Environment Maryland. "We look forward to building on these successes next year."

House Minority Leader Anthony J. O'Donnell (R-Calvert) said that prospect concerns him far more than what was passed this past session.

"Some of it was good or innocuous, but other things were far more controversial," O'Donnell said. "I think the business community in Maryland should be quite concerned. What we're seeing is the tip of the iceberg."

The highest-profile bill enacted this year was the Clean Cars Act, legislation modeled after a California law. The law imposes tougher emissions standards on automobiles sold and registered in Maryland. O'Malley did not push the initiative during his campaign last year but embraced it upon arriving in Annapolis.

O'Malley also put a priority on passage of an initiative supported by House Speaker Michael E. Busch (D-Anne Arundel) that allows the state to lease parcels of underwater land for oyster restoration projects. Oysters have long served as a natural filtration system for the Chesapeake Bay, but the population has been devastated by disease.

Another measure signed into law will affect almost every Marylander: It will require manufacturers to make phosphorus virtually nonexistent in household dishwashing detergent sold in Maryland by 2010. Phosphorus pollution encourages oxygen-depleting algae blooms.

Other measures signed by O'Malley yesterday will establish a Green Building Council to advise the governor and lawmakers on construction of energy-efficient buildings; require the state to adopt new regulations on storm water runoff; and require the state to adopt regulations to promote the conservation of the yellow perch in Maryland waters.

Among the bills signed was one that restores the voting rights of certain classes of felons who have completed their sentences.