Democratic lawmakers completed their override of Gov. Larry Hogan's veto of a bill that increases renewable energy requirements with a party-line vote on Thursday.
The Senate voted, 32-13, to override Hogan's veto, after the House of Delegates took a similarly lopsided vote on the same measure Tuesday.
That means the law is now in effect, requiring that one-quarter of the state's electricity must come from renewable sources by 2020. That's an increase from the prior requirement of 20 percent by 2022.
Senators debated the bill for an hour and 40 minutes Thursday, even though the outcome of the vote was never in doubt.
Democrats argued that accelerating the requirements will boost the renewable energy industry, create good-paying jobs and reduce air pollution at a small cost to consumers.
Sen. Jim Rosapepe, a Democrat who represents Prince George's and Anne Arundel counties, characterized the governor's action as a "job-killing veto" that needed to be overturned.
The House of Delegates on Tuesday took the first step to reverse Gov. Larry Hogan's veto of a renewable energy bill, voting 88-51 to overturn it.
The state Senate plans to vote Thursday. To override a governor's veto, three-fifths of the Senate must join the House in voting to do so.
Delegates...
The House of Delegates on Tuesday took the first step to reverse Gov. Larry Hogan's veto of a renewable energy bill, voting 88-51 to overturn it.
The state Senate plans to vote Thursday. To override a governor's veto, three-fifths of the Senate must join the House in voting to do so.
Delegates...
Republicans, meanwhile, insisted that an increase in electricity prices amounts to a tax that many Marylanders can't afford.
And they pointed out that so far, the renewable energy requirements haven't done much to support solar power and wind power in the state. The top type of renewable energy supported by the renewable requirements are "black liquor," which is the burning of byproducts from paper mills. The requirement also supports incinerating trash to make electricity.
Efforts to remove those types of electricity production from the renewable energy program have failed in the past.
Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller says he trusts Gov. Larry Hogan to set congressional districts. (Michael Dresser, Baltimore Sun video)
Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller says he trusts Gov. Larry Hogan to set congressional districts. (Michael Dresser, Baltimore Sun video)
"We are experiencing tremendous job growth, and an exciting economic resurgence in Maryland," Gov. Larry Hogan said. (Kevin Richardson/Baltimore Sun video)
"We are experiencing tremendous job growth, and an exciting economic resurgence in Maryland," Gov. Larry Hogan said. (Kevin Richardson/Baltimore Sun video)
A nonpartisan analysis of the bill by the state Department of Legislative Services estimated that residential electricity customers might pay between 48 cents and $1.45 more per month due to the increased renewable energy requirements.
Sen. Ed Reilly, an Anne Arundel County Republican, said businesses will have to pay higher electricity bills, too, which will translate to higher costs for goods and services.
"I'm convinced this increase in costs is a hidden tax," Reilly said.
Environmentalists and climate change activists quickly hailed the veto override as a win for clean energy.
Mike Tidwell, director of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, said the veto override is an important move considering that President Donald J. Trump has questioned climate change science and spoken out against a global agreement to curb greenhouse gases.
"Governor Larry Hogan thought he could confuse state voters by siding with polluters over good-paying solar and wind jobs," Tidwell said. "Today, the people of Maryland have spoken and Hogan should listen."
Hogan's office did not immediately comment on the Senate's action, but a day prior, Hogan spokeswoman Amelia Chasse said lawmakers who voted for the override in the House are "out of touch."
"For years, Marylanders have made it clear that they are sick and tired of these kind of rate increases," Chasse said.
This story will be updated.
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