2023 Maryland Statutes › Environment › Title 2 - Ambient Air Quality Control › Subtitle 13 - Maryland Commission on Climate Change › Section 2-1303 - Working Groups Established

(a)    The Commission shall establish:
(1)    A Scientific and Technical Working Group;
(2)    A Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Working Group;
(3)    An Adaptation and Response Working Group;
(4)    An Education, Communication, and Outreach Working Group;
(5)    Subject to § 2–1303.1 of this subtitle, a Just Transition Employment and Retraining Working Group;
(6)    Subject to § 2–1303.2 of this subtitle, an Energy Industry Revitalization Working Group;
(7)    Subject to § 2–1303.3 of this subtitle, an Energy Resilience and Efficiency Working Group; and
(8)    Subject to § 2–1303.4 of this subtitle, a Solar Photovoltaic Systems Recovery, Reuse, and Recycling Working Group.
(b)    The Commission may establish other working groups as needed.
(c)    The Chair of the Commission shall appoint working group members who represent both public and private interests in climate change, including representatives of:
(1)    Academic institutions;
(2)    Renewable and traditional energy providers;
(3)    Environmental organizations;
(4)    Government agencies;
(5)    Labor organizations; and
(6)    Business interests, including the insurance and real estate industries.
(d)    The Commission shall prioritize working group actions, including:
(1)    Strengthening and maintaining existing State climate action plans;
(2)    Developing broad public and private partnerships with local, State, and federal agencies;
(3)    Communicating with and educating citizens about the urgency of acting to reduce the impacts of climate change;
(4)    Maintaining an inventory of Maryland’s greenhouse gas emissions sources and carbon sinks;
(5)    Addressing any disproportionate impacts of climate change on low–income and vulnerable communities;
(6)    Assessing the impacts that climate change may have on the State’s economy, revenues, and investment decisions;
(7)    Assessing the needs for utilities and other public and private service providers throughout the State to adjust their operating practices and investment strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change on their customers and the public;
(8)    Assessing the impacts that climate change may have on agriculture in the State;
(9)    Recommending short– and long–term strategies and initiatives to better mitigate, prepare for, and adapt to the consequences of climate change;
(10)    Assisting local governments in supporting community–scale climate vulnerability assessments and the development and integration of specific strategies into local plans and ordinances;
(11)    Establishing comprehensive and accountable annual working group work plans that set annual goals and performance benchmarks and prioritize new and existing climate change mitigation and preparedness actions and initiatives;
(12)    Maintaining a comprehensive action plan, with 5–year benchmarks, to achieve science–based reductions in Maryland’s greenhouse gas emissions;
(13)    Convening regular working group and full Commission meetings to ensure that sufficient progress is being made across all sectors and communities in Maryland; and
(14)    Considering other related matters as the Commission determines to be necessary.