Governor Hogan’s Fiscal Year 2017 Budget Protects Maryland's Environment

Budget Provides Resources Necessary To Responsibly Protect And Strengthen Maryland’s Standing As An Environmental Leader

“Maryland should be leading the charge in protecting our environment. Maryland’s environment can and should be cleaner and healthier.” -Governor Larry Hogan, February 3, 2016

Making Investments To Protect Our Most Precious Natural Asset

Fiscal Year 2017 Will Be The First Year In History In Which No Budget Actions Will Divert Funding Away From Bay Restoration Efforts To Support The General Fund. (Maryland Department Of Budget And Management)

The Fiscal Year 2017 Budget Will Provide An Historic Amount Of $53 Million Toward The Chesapeake And Atlantic Coastal Bays 2010 Trust Fund; The Highest Level Of Funding Since Its Establishment. The Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays 2010 Trust fund will receive $53 million in the Fiscal Year 2017 budget, this is a $13.6 million, or 34.5% increase from $39.4 million which was provided for the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays 2010 Trust Fund in Fiscal Year 2016. (Maryland Department Of Budget And Management)
Governor Hogan: “This Dedicated Funding For The Trust Fund Will Enhance Our Efforts Even Further, And Cement Our Position As Ecological And Environmental Leaders. Through These Commitments, We Signal Our Commitment To The Restoration Of The Chesapeake Bay And The Improvement Of Our Public Lands, Both Locally And Statewide.” (Press Release, “Governor Hogan Pledges Millions For Bay Restoration And Land Conservation,” Maryland Department Of Natural Resources, 1/20/16)

State Agencies Committed To Protecting And Preserving Maryland’s Precious Environment And Natural Resources Will See Significant Growth In Their Fiscal Year 2017 Budgets

The Fiscal Year 2017 Budget Will Increase Funding To The Maryland Department Of The Environment By 7%. Funding for the Maryland Department of the Environment will be $409.5 million in Fiscal Year 2017, this is a 7% increase from $382.5 million, which was appropriated to the Department of the Environment in Fiscal Year 2016. (Maryland Department Of Budget And Management)

The Fiscal Year 2017 Budget Will Increase Funding To The Maryland Department Of Natural Resources by 34%. Funding for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources will be $335.8 million in Fiscal Year 2017, this is a 34% increase from $251.1 million, which was appropriated to the Department of Natural Resources in Fiscal Year 2016. (Maryland Department Of Budget And Management)

Preserving Land And Parks

In Governor Hogan's Fiscal Year 2017 Budget, Pending Legislation, $60 Million In Retained Funding Will Be Provided For Program Open Space And Additional Land Preservation Programs Over The Next Two Years. (Maryland Department Of Budget And Management)
Program Open Space Will Retain Funding In Fiscal Year 2017, Funds Were Raided From The Program Under Previous Administrations. “Gov. Larry Hogan has pleased environmental advocates with plans to channel more money into a program that buys land for parks and land conservation — a fund long raided to balance the budget… About 65 percent of that money was raided by Republican Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. and Democratic Gov. Martin O'Malley, the coalition says, and neither repaid it.’It’s certainly moving in the right direction,’ said Joel Dunn, CEO of the Chesapeake Conservancy…” (Scott Dance, “Hogan moves To Keep Campaign Promise To Protect Money For New Parks, But Doesn’t Satisfy Advocates,” The Baltimore Sun)

Mark Belton, Secretary Of The Maryland Department Of Natural Resources: “I Am Thrilled That We Are Restoring Funding To Our Land Conservation Programs Like Open Space And Rural Legacy, As Well As Fully Funding The Chesapeake And Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund, One Of The Most Important Tools targeting Bay And Water Quality.” (Press Release, “Governor Hogan Pledges Millions For Bay Restoration And Land Conservation,” Maryland Department Of Natural Resources, 1/20/16)

The Fiscal Year 2017 Budget Will Increase Funding To The Maryland Park Service By 3.9%. Funding for the Maryland Park Service will be $42.2 million in Fiscal Year 2017, this is a 3.9% increase from $40.6 million, which was appropriated to the Maryland Park Service in Fiscal Year 2016. (Maryland Department Of Budget And Management)

Encouraging Energy Efficiency And Promoting Alternative Energy Sources

The Fiscal Year 2017 Budget Includes $34.5 Million For Renewable And Clean Energy Programs And Initiatives Within The Maryland Energy Administration. Renewable and clean energy programs account for more than half of the total appropriations that the Maryland Energy Administration will receive in Fiscal Year 2017. Of the $65.5 million appropriated to the Maryland Energy Administration, $34.5 million is dedicated toward renewable and clean energy programs and initiatives. Funding for renewable and clean energy programs and initiatives will increase in Fiscal Year 2017 by 73.4%, from $19.9 million which was appropriated toward renewable and clean energy programs and initiatives in Fiscal Year 2016. (Maryland Department Of Budget And Management)

The Fiscal Year 2017 Budget Includes Over $21.2 Million For Energy Efficient And Conservation Programs. Energy efficient and conservation programs account for over $21.2 million of the total funding that the Maryland Energy Administration will receive in Fiscal Year 2017. Funding for energy efficient and conservation programs will increase in Fiscal Year 2017 by 6.5%, from $19.9 million in Fiscal Year 2016. (Maryland Department Of Budget And Management)

The Fiscal Year 2017 Budget Will Invest $11 Million For A New Animal Waste-To-Energy Program. (Maryland Department Of Budget And Management)

The Fiscal Year 2017 Budget Includes $16.4 Million For A New Water Infrastructure Program Aimed At Improving Energy Efficiency And Reducing Operating Costs At Wastewater Treatment Plants. (Maryland Department Of Budget And Management)
Governor Hogan: “This Funding Will Boost The Restoration And Cleanup of the Chesapeake Bay And Support An Innovative Upgrade To The Blue Plains Sewage Treatment Plant To Increase Energy Efficiency And Reduce Air Emissions.” (Press Release, “Board Of Public Works Approves Funding For Clean Water And The Chesapeake Bay,”Maryland Department Of The Environment, 2/10/16)