Job Losses Expected As Maryland Governor Stuns Solar Industry With Clean Energy Veto.

[elleng]

'For the past 12 years, Maryland has had a highly successful program requiring utilities to use more renewable energy. Republican Gov. Larry Hogan’s own Dept. of Environment last fall said the renewable portfolio standard (RPS) was creating thousands of jobs and would create billions in economic activity by 2020. In April, the governor signaled his own commitment to clean energy, signing the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Act.

And then last week, Hogan reversed course and vetoed a bill that would have increased the RPS and given the state a way to reach its greenhouse gas emissions goals.

“It was infuriating,” Maryland Delegate Bill Frick, who sponsored the Clean Energy Jobs bill, told ThinkProgress.

The bill would have increased the state’s RPS from 20 percent by 2022 to 25 percent by 2020.

Clean energy is remarkably popular in Maryland. According to a poll conducted in April, 71 percent of voters in the state supported the Clean Energy Jobs bill, even if it would add 50 cents to their utility bill.

“Maryland is a state that is particularly susceptible to the effects of sea level rise. It’s a state that understands the risk of climate change, and it’s a state that is seeing the benefits of clean jobs,” Frick said.

In 2014, renewable energy, including solar, wind, and hydro, accounted for only 7 percent of the state’s electricity generation, but the growth in solar, particularly, has been noteworthy: There are 4,300 people working in solar in Maryland, which was 11th in installed capacity last year, according to the national Solar Energy Industries Association.'>>>

http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2016/05/31/3783302/hogan-vetoes-popular-clean-energy-jobs-bill/

[montanacowboy]

1. But I thought Republicans were JOB CREATORS

You have to laff at this because if not you would cry

Stupid fucking bastards

And did the people of Maryland vote this prick into office

And how do you like him now???????????????????

[elleng]

3. Never did like him,

I surely didn't vote him in.

BAD campaign run by his Dem opponent.

[Ohioblue22]

5. Shouldn't even need to hear a campaign to vote dem just never vote con

[riversedge]

2. Looks like they can override the pissant Gov's vete-but not until next Jan..

In the meantime he has created lots of anxiety for families.

...............Tidwell said the recent veto was both unexpected and unwelcome.

"[Hogan] has energized a community to organize to overthrow the veto," he said. "A community that had previously — myself included — been giving him a lot of credit."

The Clean Energy Jobs bill, which previously passed both chambers with enough votes to overturn the veto, is expected to resurface in January, when the General Assembly returns to session.

Last year, the General Assembly overturned five Hogan vetoes.

[ladjf]

4. Why is it that just about all news is bad? nt

[paleotn]

7. One word....

....Republicans.

[angrychair]

6. This is what the people of Maryland asked for

I could care less. Same for KS. OK. WI. MI. ME. Anywhere else with a teapublican governor or legislature or both.
I'm doing what I am capable of doing to work against people like this but at the end of the day it is up to the people in that state. If that is what the Democratic majority of Maryland wanted than so be it.

[elleng]

10. Formerly the Democratic majority of MD wanted good environmental policies,

but along came hogan (when O'Malley left.) NOT a good Dem challenger for governor race this time. HOPE we replace hogan soon.

[LiberalEsto]

8. We were just about to get solar panels, and the company went out of business because of this

I am beyond pissed at Hogan.
The plans were approved, the permits issued, and then poof!
The guy working for us found a new company and we're hoping they stay in Maryland long enough to do the installation.

[elleng]

9. DAMN!

Fortunately I rent, and landlord has solar panels on his house & the barn.