TL/DR –
The U.S. Senate race in Maryland between Democrat Angela Alsobrooks and Republican Larry Hogan has turned its focus on environmental issues. Alsobrooks, who is endorsed by the Sierra Club, criticized Hogan for his environmental record, while Hogan’s campaign highlighted his environmental achievements during his governorship, such as resisting Trump’s efforts to cut funding for Chesapeake Bay cleanup. A 2023 report from the League of Conservation Voters commended Hogan for funding land preservation and open space, but criticized him for weakening environmental regulatory agencies and favoring highway projects over transit ones, leading to an “inconsistent” environmental record.
Hogan Responds to Environmental Criticisms with List of Accomplishments
The U.S. Senate race in Maryland between Angela Alsobrooks (D) and Larry Hogan (R) has turned to the topic of the environment.
Alsobrooks, backed by the Sierra Club, criticized Hogan’s perceived weak stance on environmental issues during a visit to Annapolis. However, Hogan’s campaign has highlighted his commitment to the environment during his governorship, including opposing Donald Trump’s proposed cuts to Chesapeake Bay cleanup funding.
In Annapolis, businesses permanently lined with sandbags underscored the need for a $100 million infrastructure project to boost flood defenses, largely funded by the climate-aware U.S. Inflation Reduction Act. Hogan’s silence on whether he supported the Act has provided Democrats with ammunition for environmental debates.
Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), speaking in support of Alsobrooks, argued that a Hogan victory would lead to a GOP Senate majority and a Ted Cruz-chaired science committee.
Hogan’s campaign emphasized his commitment to environmental stewardship and climate change action, with spokesperson Blake Kernan listing several initiatives advanced under Hogan’s governorship. These include the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, U.S. Climate Alliance, Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act, and the Clean Water Commerce Act, among others.
A 2023 report from the League of Conservation Voters praised Hogan’s funding of land preservation, but criticized him for weakening environmental agencies and canceling a major Baltimore transit project in favor of highways, labeling his environmental record as “inconsistent”.
Alsobrooks’ environmental record as a county executive includes sediment control spending, the initiation of countywide composting, and the beginning of the county’s bus transit fleet electrification.
If elected, Hogan intends to maintain federal funding for Chesapeake Cleanup, while Alsobrooks plans to support legislation aimed at making major carbon polluters pay more for climate change mitigation.
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