Climate Change Update

Check Out Full Newsletter Here: Climate Change Update

We are continuing our End of Year Fundraising Campaign by highlighting Climate Change. Over the next few weeks, we will continue to highlight our issues and learn more about each issue's speaker for the Legislative Kickoff on January 31st.  We are still asking UUs to oppose the "Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2025" (H.R. 38 / S. 65), which could override our statewide "concealed carry" gun laws. If you haven't written your FEDERAL lawmakers and asked them to oppose this legislation, please scroll down and do so now! We are extremely grateful to Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice (UUSJ), who have shared this action nationally. And, if you would like to learn more about how we can support Washington DC in their quest for Home Rule and Statehood, check out their No Frills Action Hour, today at 7:30pm. 

Special Session of the Maryland General Assembly - December 16th.

Governor Wes Moore called a special session of the General Assembly to choose a new Speaker of the House after current Speaker Adrienne Jones announced her retirement as speaker earlier this month, This session will convene today at noon. Maryland Lawmakers have put their support behind Delegate Joseline Peña-Melnyk, who has been the Chair of the Health and Government Operations Committee, and who has been a leader on Immigration Reform, Healthcare Issues, and was our 2020 Lawmaker of the Year. 

The Maryland General Assembly must address overrides of any vetoed bill as one of the first actions of a new General Assembly session, including special sessions. One important bill that the Governor vetoed was the RENEW Act, which called for a study to determine the financial impacts of climate change on Maryland. The RENEW Act was a priority for UULM-MD and we have signed on to an override action.     

However, last week, the Governor, the Comptroller, and the Maryland Energy Administration agreed to fund the essence of the bill. Per the press release from Governor Moore’s Office: “As outlined in a new memorandum of understanding between the Maryland Energy Administration and the Office of the Comptroller, the governor plans to fully fund the RENEW Act Study using existing state funding sources. This includes $30,000 already received in philanthropic funding and $470,000 allocated across two fiscal years from the Strategic Energy Investment Fund, which reinvests proceeds from greenhouse gas emissions auctions and Alternative Compliance Payments from utilities.”  

Climate Change Legislation in 2026 General Assembly Session

Unitarian Universalists believe that we are all inter-connected with every other person and being on this planet. We see the heavier rains and higher tides that are damaging lives and infrastructure across Maryland. We see the Federal Administration rationing out help and using our citizens as bargaining chips and we know that we can’t sit on the sidelines.

Unfortunately, the costs are already compounding and contributing to the state’s projected budget shortfall. Taxpayers across Maryland are already paying the costs of climate change—while large, out-of-state fossil fuel companies are reaping all the benefits.

Our faith compels us to act.

Our faith demands that we protect the most vulnerable among us.

We know that our state must make the necessary investments to prepare for—and recover from—worsening extreme weather events…

We can’t afford to keep kicking the can down the road.

2026 Legislation: What More Can We Do? 

This year, we will advocate for three climate bills. They are:

The CHERISH Our Communities Act (Cumulative Harms to Environmental Restoration for Improving our Shared Health) addresses a critical gap in Maryland's environmental protection system, particularly in disadvantaged and overburdened communities.

The Climate and Transportation Alignment Act would require the Maryland Department to align transportation projects with state climate goals by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and Vehicle Miles Traveled.

The Bottle Bill (aka Maryland Beverage Container Recycling Refund and Litter Reduction Program) would implement a deposit-return system for beverage containers (plastic, glass, metal) with 10-15 cent deposits, aiming to drastically cut litter and boost recycling.

In addition, there are several energy related bills being discussed aimed at:

1) Stabilizing the rising cost of energy,

2) Encouraging the growth of renewable energy, and

3) Incorporating advanced technologies to enhance the electric grid.

We will consider supporting these bills as the details emerge.

Maryland is currently experiencing a budget crunch. Thankfully, investing in reducing the risk of climate change will help us recruit and retain businesses and jobs for our state. Every dollar we put into climate mitigation and resiliency will save us money—and potentially many lives. It will also help us ensure a thriving economy in the future.

There is a lot of essential work ahead. Our state and our organization will need additional funds and more UU advocates to maintain and expand our resources to support our work together.

Thank you,

Phil Webster, Ph.D,

Lead Advocate for the Climate