But it has drawn intense opposition from manufacturers and an unusual ally - labor unions. The United Steelworkers, which represents about 5,000 workers statewide, opposes the bill.
"I've spent more time in Annapolis the last month and a half than I have in my whole career, maybe," said Jim Strong, a USW official. He said his union supports fighting global warming with national legislation but opposes Maryland's bill for fear it would drive manufacturers to other states.
With dozens of steelworkers looking on, the Senate approved the warming bill - but with an amendment sought by manufacturers and the AFL-CIO. That change would require the state Department of the Environment to get legislative approval for each step it wants to takes to reduce the greenhouse gases tied to global warming. The House has not acted on the bill.
Activists, who note that other labor unions support the bill, still hope to get it tweaked to clarify the agency's authority to take some steps without legislative review. They say the 25 percent reduction is achievable through incentives included in the energy-efficiency legislation.
Sen. Paul G. Pinsky, a Prince George's County Democrat and sponsor of the bill, argues that the 90 percent goal and the shorter term mandate still represent a major step for Maryland.
"It could be one of the most significant environmental legislative sessions we've had if all goes well," Pinsky said.
"For the most part, they're still strong bills," said Sen. Brian E. Frosh, a Montgomery County Democrat and veteran environmental advocate. "But it's hard to tell where they'll end up."
laura.smitherman@baltsun.com tim.wheeler@baltsun.com
Environmental agenda
Environmentalists are pursuing an aggressive agenda in Annapolis this year, but they've found green initiatives are a tougher sell in bad economic times.
Greenhouse gas
The legislature is debating a bill that would require industry to reduce greenhouse gas pollution 25 percent by 2020. After objections from big business and organized labor, a 90 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions was rolled back from a requirement to just a goal, and the Senate voted to weaken the state's ability to enact regulations to achieve the 2020 goal.
Energy efficiency
