Support Clean Heat and Healthy Air with the Heating Fuel Provider Reporting Program

Mark Stewart, Program Manager of the Climate Change Program, Maryland Department of the Environment

Millions of Maryland residents live with unhealthy air. Baltimore’s air pollution in particular has consistently violated federal air quality standards under the Clean Air Act. Fossil fuel heating equipment is a major driver of this pollution – costing Marylanders $1.3 billion in health impacts annually. Pollution from fossil fuel furnaces, boilers, and water heaters in Maryland generates 3 times as much smog-forming NOx pollution as all the state’s power plants combined and caused 163 premature deaths and 3,500 asthma attacks in 2017 alone.

The Heating Fuel Provider Reporting Program (Regulations .01—.06 under COMAR 26.11.44) is the first step towards implementing a Clean Heat Standard that will help reduce pollution from fossil fuel heating and save households on their utility bills.

Send a comment today to the Maryland Department of the Environment in support of the regulation and hold fossil fuel companies accountable for their pollution and take a big step towards cleaner air in Maryland.

Sponsored by
Default_group_icon
CCAN Action Fund
Takoma Park, MD

To: Mark Stewart, Program Manager of the Climate Change Program, Maryland Department of the Environment
From: [Your Name]

I support the Heating Fuel Provider Reporting Program

Mr. Mark Stewart
Program Manager of the Climate Change Program
Maryland Department of the Environment
1800 Washington Boulevard, Suite 730,
Baltimore, Maryland 21230-1720

I am writing in support of the proposed Maryland Heating Fuel Provider Reporting Program​ (Regulations .01—.06 under COMAR 26.11.44). This new program is essential for Maryland to accurately track the pollution from fuel used in our homes, businesses, and industries. I am also writing in support of a Clean Heat Standard that should follow quickly on this fuel reporting program and leverage this data to drive emissions reductions within the thermal energy sector.

Millions of Maryland residents live with unhealthy air. Baltimore’s air pollution in particular has consistently violated federal air quality standards under the Clean Air Act. Fossil fuel heating equipment is a major driver of this pollution – costing Marylanders $1.3 billion in health impacts annually.

Healthier communities are within reach. A Clean Heat Standard provides the opportunity to promote healthier air, stabilize energy bills, and save lives by helping residents upgrade to clean and efficient home heating equipment. When combined with reforms already underway, these rules can clean up our air and deliver healthier, more affordable home heating.

I urge the Maryland Department of the Environment to finalize these rules and avoid any changes that would weaken the rules.

Thank you for your work in protecting Maryland’s environment and reducing pollution in our state.

Sincerely,