Legislative News
I have been discussing the issue of energy storage since I first ran for the House of Delegates. As Fortune Magazine recently explained, the "possibility of breakthroughs in batteries and other storage technologies could fundamentally change the world’s power dynamics.” Energy storage technology utilizes batteries and other systems to store energy so it may be distributed at another time, usually when most efficient and cost-effective. This technology is often used in conjunction with renewable energy sources to distribute that energy as needed. Expanding energy storage could have significant long-term benefits. It would:
To jump-start energy storage in Maryland, I introduced two pieces of legislation that were heard by the Economic Matters Committee last week. HB 787 would follow the model of California and Oregon and have the state's utility regulator study and establish a storage procurement requirement. HB 821 is modeled on a federal proposal and establishes an energy storage standard similar to the state's renewable portfolio standard (our clean energy requirement for electricity). Energy storage is an exciting area of technology with great potential environmental benefits. I expect that my pursuit of a meaningful public policy regarding storage will be a long-term effort. -------- A major issue in our community is school capacity. Five of seven schools in the Whitman Cluster; five of nine schools in the BCC Cluster; and four of nine schools in the Walter Johnson Cluster have more students than they have space for (actually, an improvement over recent years). Last year, Montgomery County and several other jurisdictions obtained a special capital funding grant to support local school construction in districts experiencing rapid growth. This year, I am supporting legislation to double that grant and advocates from my district recently testified before the Appropriations Committee, on which I serve, in support of the bill. -------- I often get emails asking me to co-sponsor a piece of legislation. Unlike Congress, it is difficult to add co-sponsors in Annapolis after a bill has been introduced (meaning it has been assigned an HB number). Because of that difficulty, co-sponsorships do not carry the same weight in Annapolis as they do in Washington, DC. That said, many of us do try to co-sponsor legislation we think is important if given the opportunity. A complete list of the legislation I am sponsoring and co-sponsoring is available here: http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?id=korman01&stab=02&pid=s... Administration News A terrible car accident occurred on River Road near Pyle Road recently. Sadly, three people lost their lives. The District 16 team has been working with Councilman Berliner on a range of traffic issues on River Road. As recently as mid-February, the State Highway Administration denied a renewed request for a traffic light where the accident occurred. Given what has happened, we will be re-engaging with the State Highway Administration to continue our push for improvements. Here is a letter we sent to the State Highway Administration regarding the issue and they have already agreed to reevaluate the situation: https://www.scribd.com/doc/301478295/Letter-to-State-Highway-Administrat... Community News
District 16 Notes
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August 2023
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