Environment (Air Quality)

SB 781 (CHERISH Our Communities Act) requires applicants for certain environmental permits (like air quality or wastewater permits) at facilities in "at-risk census tracts" to submit a report detailing existing environmental and public health burdens in those areas. The Maryland Department of the Environment must deny permit applications if approval would worsen adverse environmental or health stressors in those high-burden communities, as defined by specific metrics like pollution proximity scores or health indicator thresholds. The bill mandates new public participation requirements during permit reviews for facilities in these areas and specifies that denial decisions must be documented for judicial review. It directly affects businesses seeking permits for facilities in designated at-risk neighborhoods, aiming to prevent additional environmental harm in communities already facing disproportionate pollution.

HB 1268 requires new or renewed environmental permits for facilities in Maryland neighborhoods identified as "at-risk" (based on high pollution levels or proximity to pollution sources like power plants or landfills) to include a "burden report" detailing existing environmental health issues. The state Department of the Environment must deny permits if approval would worsen pollution stressors in these areas, using Maryland’s Environmental Justice Tool to define "at-risk" census tracts. It applies specifically to air quality permits for construction and water discharge permits for facilities like power plants, waste sites, or mining operations. The bill mandates public participation in permit reviews for these facilities and requires the Department to document its assessment for judicial review.

HB 1534 establishes new operational and siting standards for data centers in Maryland, directly affecting data center owners and operators. It requires data centers within 2,500 feet of schools to maintain 1,000-foot setbacks from high-voltage power lines, fund school air filtration systems, and install public air quality sensors monitoring pollutants like particulate matter. The Department of the Environment must create regulations limiting sound levels (to 45 DBA or 55 DBC near schools), requiring backup generators to meet strict emissions standards, and banning non-emergency testing during school hours. Violations incur a $10,000 civil penalty per offense, with repeated violations risking permit revocation for the data center.

HB 517 clarifies that counties and cities in Maryland can adopt stricter local emission standards or air quality rules than state or federal levels, provided their standards are equally or more stringent. It also confirms local governments retain authority to regulate solid waste management systems without being limited by certain state provisions. The bill requires the Department of the Environment to publish clear information about this local authority on its website by October 1, 2026. This law directly affects local governments seeking to implement more protective environmental regulations within their jurisdictions. It does not change existing state standards but removes ambiguity about local regulatory power.