Olszewski announces new Baltimore County Street Tree Replacement Program

Towson, MD—Neighborhood streets in areas around Baltimore County are getting greener and shadier as part of County Executive Johnny Olszewski’s new Street Tree Replacement Program. Gathering on Monday afternoon with community members and County officials in the Windsor Hill neighborhood of Chadwick Manor, Olszewski announced that in the program’s second season, the County’s urban foresters are planting 512 street trees […]

Baltimore County Council overrides Olszewski’s veto, amends plastic bag ban

TOWSON, MD—The Baltimore County Council on Monday evening unanimously overrode County Executive Johnny Olszewski’s veto regarding amendments to the so-called Bring Your Own Bag Act. Liquor stores will now be exempt from the new law. On October 25, Olszewski vetoed measures passed by the County Council that would ease the plastic bag ban. As of November 1, businesses subject to […]

Maryland Environment Secretary McIlwain, Attorney General Brown announce settlement of lawsuit over wastewater treatment facilities

BALTIMORE, MD—Maryland Environment Secretary Serena McIlwain and Attorney General Anthony G. Brown have announced the settlement of a lawsuit against Baltimore City to address unauthorized discharges of pollution from the state’s two largest sewage treatment plants. The settlement (PDF) includes an enforceable timeline for corrective actions at the city’s Back River and Patapsco wastewater treatment plants. It also includes a […]

Olszewski vetoes effort to ease Baltimore County’s plastic bag ban

UPDATE: The Baltimore County Council has overridden County Executive Olszewski’s veto. Original story below… TOWSON, MD—Exactly one week until Baltimore County’s Bring Your Own Bag law is set to take effect, Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski on Wednesday vetoed the following pieces of legislation: Baltimore County Council Bill 71-23 – Reusable Carryout Bag Definition. Baltimore County Council Bill 73-23 – […]

Governor Moore named Chesapeake Executive Council chair

ANNAPOLIS, MD—This week, Governor Wes Moore was unanimously elected to serve as chair of the bipartisan Chesapeake Executive Council during a meeting hosted by the Environmental Protection Agency in Washington, D.C.. The council, which serves as the primary policy and leadership body of the formal Chesapeake Bay Partnership’s effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, is comprised of the nine signatories […]

Olszewski plans veto after County Council amends plastic bag ban

UPDATE: County Executive Olszewski has vetoed the legislation. Original story below… TOWSON, MD—The Baltimore County Council on Monday evening amended the Bring Your Own Bag Act, which is set to go into effect on November 1st. The County Council voted to exempt liquor from the bag ban, allowing customers to avoid $0.05 charge for reusable bags if they use plastic […]

Governor Moore honors environmental leaders during 2023 Maryland League of Conservation Voters Changemakers celebration

ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Wes Moore last month delivered remarks at the 2023 Maryland League of Conservation Voters Changemakers celebration, honoring Marylanders who have demonstrated vision, leadership, and courage in protecting the environment. The event took place at the Colwell Center in downtown Baltimore, home to the Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology. “Being a changemaker is hard and it takes partnership. […]

Drought Warning issued for parts of central Maryland

BALTIMORE, MD—The Maryland Department of the Environment on Wednesday urged public water systems, citizens and businesses in parts of the state to continue voluntary water use restrictions as a drought watch issued earlier this summer has been upgraded to a warning. “Water conservation is a good practice year-round, but we are asking water systems to take extra precautions as dry […]