Please consider these comments on DEQ’s draft Priority Climate Action Plan and recommendations for the agency’s follow-on Comprehensive Climate Action Plan.
Author: Ayesha Amsa
Take Action: Creating transportation options to reduce climate pollution, save money, and improve health for Marylanders
We have an opportunity to ensure that Maryland’s transportation investments support its climate goals while giving residents and workers more sustainable options to get to jobs and other destinations – the Transportation and Climate Alignment Act (TCA). This legislation is being considered right now in the Maryland General Assembly, and your legislators need to hear from you!
The TCA (HB 836/SB 681) would require that proposed highway projects be consistent with state greenhouse gas reduction targets and provide affordable, safer, and more sustainable transportation options to offset any increases in traffic and emissions.
Contact your state delegates and senator today to let them know that you support this common-sense approach.
Transportation continues to be the largest source of climate pollution in the state. Maryland is at risk from sea level rise, flooding, heat, and forest fires – the state can’t afford expensive projects that increase climate pollution.
The TCA requires the Maryland Department of Transportation to assess major highway projects and fix any negative climate impacts. If needed, projects that move forward would incorporate measures such as improving and expanding public transit, bike infrastructure, and broadband access, as well as locating jobs and amenities near where people live and near transit. Learn more here.
Testimony: FY2025 Capital Budget for Department of Housing and Community Development (MD, Support)
We wish to express our strong support for the proposed capital budget that will make critical investments in rental housing programs and community revitalization. The FY25 capital budget proposes $110 million in rental housing support, doubling what was provided in the last budget. This would create thousands of desperately needed quality homes for low- and moderate-income families. This investment provides essential funding to the successful Rental Housing Works (RHW) program.
Take Action: Sign up to testify for attainable housing!
On March 21, the Planning Board will hold a public listening session on the Attainable Housing Strategies Initiative. This is the next step in implementing the Thrive 2050 General Plan and expanding the range of housing types available in Montgomery County. The initiative makes recommendations for zoning changes to allow “missing middle” housing types like duplexes and triplexes in more parts of the county.
Testimony: Performance Oversight for the Department of Housing and Community Development and Housing Production Trust Fund (DC)
We wish to express our strong support for the HPTF, and urge the Council to remain committed to this essential tool for addressing our acute housing affordability challenges. Without it, we would be so much farther behind, leaving thousands of families without the homes they now enjoy. DC’s strong commitment to preserving and producing affordable housing is one of the leading efforts in the country. While our housing affordability challenges are severe, the HPTF provides irreplaceable capacity to address our needs.
Take Action: Urge DC Zoning Commission to increase affordable housing & prevent displacement at Takoma Metro
The DC Zoning Commission is considering a proposal from a tenants’ association and their non-profit partner to replace their aging 36-unit rental apartment building with a new, 4-story 100% affordable, accessible 80-unit building.
RELEASE: Close the Metro Funding Gap!
Today, the WMATA Board met to review a new FY25 proposed budget. The “Fund Metro!” coalition released the following statement.
RELEASE: 18 Group Statement re Metro: Close the Gap!
We thank the jurisdictions for proposing $480 million in additional funding for each of the next two years to help close WMATA’s FY25 and FY26 operating gap. But we urge our elected leaders to do more to reduce and even close the entire gap. Failure to close the entire gap will still mean some service cuts, fare hikes, impact on the workforce, and delays in the capital program.
CSG in the News: A law to get climate and transportation on the same page in Maryland
Maryland estimates it must invest about $1 billion a year in measures to quickly reduce planet-warming pollution to safe levels, which will provide benefits like lower energy costs and less flooding for its residents. However, if the state simultaneously spends billions in public funds on highway expansion, that makes it harder to achieve those climate goals. That problem is what the Maryland Transportation and Climate Alignment Act (TCA) aims to address – making sure transportation projects do not worsen climate pollution and giving people options to travel more affordably and sustainably.
Testimony: NHP Elm Gardens Redevelopment (DC, Support)
We wish to express our strong support for Case No. 23-19. We are pleased to support this Planned Unit Development (PUD) to facilitate a tenant and non-profit-led redevelopment of an aging 36-unit rental apartment building into a new, 4-story 100% affordable, accessible 80-unit building. These units would include 36 replacement units and 44 new homes. The 44 new units would serve households earning 50% MFI or less. Eight units in the building would be reserved as permanent supportive housing to formerly unhoused people.