BALTIMORE – Maryland Energy Administration Director Paul G. Pinsky today issued the following statement in response to multiple provisions in the recently passed congressional budget reconciliation package that will do serious damage to Maryland’s economic and environmental progress. “The Republican spending bill is an avoidable and intentional collection of insults to Maryland’s economy and environment. At a time when Marylanders are dealing with rising electric bills, the Republican reconciliation bill will no doubt drive them even higher. Especially when we are building significant momentum toward a cleaner energy future, the Republicans’ reconciliation bill pulls the rug out from under Maryland’s progress. Beginning with the cuts to the Investment Tax Credit, the Trump administration and its allies in the Republican-controlled Congress have demonstrated an irrational disdain for any measure that levels the playing field for renewable energy. That means that forward-thinking solar and wind projects across Maryland that can help save Marylanders money and simultaneously confront climate change are likely to be delayed or cancelled. This can have no effect other than to move the cost savings of renewable energy out of reach for many Marylanders, essentially ripping would-be savings from Marylanders’ pocketbooks. I also have grave concerns about the elimination of tax incentives for electric vehicles (EVs) and charging infrastructure. These cuts needlessly slow our momentum toward clean air goals and hurt the many Maryland businesses hard at work building the economy of the future using the fuels of tomorrow. Instead, this bill favors subsidies for out-of-state corporations focused on the fuels of the past – the very same fossil fuels that have made climate change the biggest threat to the environment for future generations. In short, the impacts of our most recent federal elections clearly can be construed as nothing other than a resounding smack in the face of every Marylander who pays a utility bill.” The Maryland Energy Administration promotes clean, affordable, reliable energy and energy-related greenhouse gas emission reductions to benefit Marylanders in a just and equitable manner. For more information about the agency and its programs, visit our website at Energy.Maryland.gov, and follow us on social media: LinkedIn | X | Facebook. -###- | 
