As Legislators Debate Clean Energy, Report Outlines Extreme Weather In Maryland

New Report and Online Map to Show How Many Marylanders Affected by Weather Disasters, Review Science Exploring Link to Global Warming

WHAT:
2011 set records nationally for extreme weather and weather-related disasters. Environment Maryland will hold a press conference to release a new Environment Maryland report and launch an interactive online map documenting how many Marylanders live in counties hit by recent weather-related disasters. The report will also outline how global warming could lead to certain extreme weather events becoming even more common or more severe in the future.

The report is being released as Maryland officials consider ways to improve the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), and look to pass the Maryland Offshore Wind Energy Act of 2012 (SB 237 and HB 441) to bring more home-grown and pollution-free clean energy to the state, while limiting the carbon pollution that fuels global warming.

WHO:
· Del. Thomas Hucker, Maryland House of Delegates (District 20)
· Maria Broadbent, Director, Department of Neighborhood and Environmental Programs for the City of Annapolis
· Ewa Krason, Field Organizer, Environment Maryland

WHEN: Thursday, February 16, 2012
11:30 AM

WHERE: City Dock Pier in Annapolis, MD where Dock St meets the Chesapeake Bay at Susan B. Campbell Park
At the end of the Dock St. pier, after the Visitor's Information Booth and the Dock Master's office (the two story building by the restrooms)

VISUALS: Backdrop of the Chesapeake Bay at the Annapolis City Dock, a place that has been affected by weather-related disasters in recent years. The online interactive map will go live on Environment State’s website shortly after Thursday’s press event.