Renew Act would fine polluters in Maryland to the tune 9 Billion dollars

MARYLAND. – A new bill in Maryland is looking to make polluters pay up.

The Renew Act would see polluting companies in the state pay fines for missing climate goals and causing damage, which includes rising sea levels and more intense storms that could damage communities.

The bill would also set aside funding from those penalties to help fund healthcare initiatives for communities on the front lines of climate change.

“Part of the money would go to help reduce health disparities and climate disparities, which have been aggravated by climate change. People don’t have the health care they need and they are hurt more because of aggressive climate change,” said Vinny DeMarco of Maryland Healthcare for all who testified in support of the bill Tuesday.

That fund would total over 9 billion dollars and cover oil and gas companies including Shell, Chevron, and Exxon.