Birmingham, Alabama (Platts)--14Apr2009

Maryland lawmakers late Monday approved a bill that will require the
state to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 25% by 2020.

The Senate concurred with minor amendments made by the House of Delegates
and the measure was sent to Governor Martin O'Malley.

O'Malley, a Democrat, had pushed the bill. The Maryland legislature
killed a similar bill last year after the manufacturing industry teamed with
labor to oppose it. This year's bill is a compromise developed with the
manufacturing sector, labor unions and environmentalists.

The bill requires the state's Department of the Environment to adopt a
plan by December 2010 that will show how the state will reach the 25%
reduction in emissions by 2020.

The bill has a 2016 sunset date. At that time the legislature will review
the progress and adjust or eliminate the 25% reduction requirement.

Maryland joined the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative in April 2007.