You are receiving this e-mail from Baltimore Metropolitan Council because you registered on our web site or have previously indicated an interest in the work of the BMC. If you haven't done so already, click to confirm your interest in receiving e-mails from us. You may unsubscribe if you no longer wish to receive our emails. | |  Environmental News Brief Presented by the Baltimore Metropolitan Council for the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board | | | | | | | Dear omss, The following news "briefs" highlight recent news regarding transportation-related environmental issues, primarily air quality, affecting the Baltimore region. Please note that this brief is not all inclusive of the variety and magnitude of activities in the region. It is intended for informational purposes only; refer to the source, guidance, or program for additional information. | | | Celebrate Earth Day with Clean Commuting Do Your Share for Cleaner Air - Try Alternatives Such as Carpooling, Transit, Teleworking  Earth Day is April 22nd and May is Clean Commute Month. No matter what day or month it is, we hope you'll protect both your health and our air by doing something positive on your way to work -- Clean Commute!
For a few days this April or May, keep your car parked. Try another way to get around. It's not hard! You can carpool, bike, take transit, walk, or even telework. It's easy! If you do drive, share your ride with a friend or co-worker, and make sure to keep your car in tip-top condition. You could cut your commute costs in half.
Ready to learn more? This spring, visit our booth and talk with the Clean Commute team at the following events:
- April 16 Earth Day Aberdeen (Aberdeen Festival Park, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.)
- April 16 Baltimore City EcoFest (Druid Hill Park, noon - 5 p.m.)
- April 30 Towsontown Festival (Towson, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.)
- May 01 Towsontown Festival (Towson, 1 p.m. - 7 p.m.)
- May 20 Bike to Work Day (Various locations around the Baltimore region)
- May 21 Go Local Fair (Carroll County Farm Museum, Westminster, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.)
>> Find out more! |
Electric Vehicle Bills Pass General Assembly Several pieces of legislation passed through the Maryland General Assembly 2011 session, which support and promote electric vehicle  use: - HB 163 Tax Credit for Electric Vehicle Recharging Equipment
- HB 164/SB 179: Electric Companies - Pilot Program for Charging Electric Vehicles
- HB 167/SB 176: Maryland Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Council
HB 163 allows for a State income tax credit for tax years 2011, 2012, and 2013, for 20% of the cost of qualified electric vehicle recharging equipment placed in service by a taxpayer during a taxable year. The tax credit will be administered by the Maryland Energy Administration, but will be limited to taxpayers receiving initial tax credits from the Administration. The amount of the tax credit will be limited to $400 for each individual recharging system. The bill was sponsored by Speaker Busch, by request from the Administration. HB 164 authorizes the Public Service Commission to establish a pilot program for Marylanders to recharge electric vehicles during off-peak hours. If there is an influx of electric vehicles being charged in the future, various mechanisms to encourage off-peak charging will prevent an excessive burden on the electric grid in the State. The Maryland Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Council, created by HB 167, will promote the use of electric vehicles in Maryland. |
| Register for Bike to Work Day, Friday May 20 A great way to give biking to work a try or to celebrate with others who enjoy riding!
Bike to Work Day 2011, sponsored by the Baltimore Metropolitan Council, will be celebrated in the Baltimore region and across the nation on Friday May 20, 2011. This year marks the 14th annual event in the Baltimore region and features events at locations around the region, including: - Anne Arundel County/Annapolis - City Dock, Annapolis
 - Baltimore City - *New!* Commuter Stations:
- Baltimore Bicycle Works
- Carroll Park
- Harbor East
- Joe's Bike Shop
- Johns Hopkins University
- Johns Hopkins Medical Institutes
- University of Maryland School of Law
- Baltimore County - Courthouse Square, Towson
- Carroll County - Westminster
- Harford County - Government Center, Bel Air
- Howard County - The Mall in Columbia
Registered participants will receive a FREE t-shirt, on-the-go snacks and drinks, and the chance to win prizes at local rallies. In addition, visitors to Baltimore City commuter stations have the chance to earn points in Bike Baltimore's Bike Month challenge. |
 Upcoming Events Aberdeen Earth Day Celebration Date: April 16, 2011, 11 am to 4 pm Location: Festival Park, Aberdeen Rain Date: April 17, 2011 This event will have environmental exhibitors, food, live music, and free moon bounce. Find out more about the event. EcoFest
Date: April 16, Noon to 5 pm
Location: Druid Hill Park, 3001 East Drive, Baltimore, MD 21217 Be a part of Baltimore Green Works' 8th Annual Ecofest in Druid Hill Park! Join this family friendly celebration of all things green. Find out more about this event and the other Baltimore Green Week Events (April 16 to April 23). Kids Unplugged: An Earth Day Celebration for Families
Date: April 17, 11 am to 4 pm
Location: Irvine Nature Center, 11201 Garrison Forest Road, Owings Mills, MD 21117
Irvine Nature Center's get-outside initiative, Kids Unplugged, encourages families to "unplug" from electronics to participate in activities focused on Mother Earth. Children can make recycled crafts, perform in a drum circle, try wheelie smoothies, play green games, throw seed "bombs" and plant meadow grasses. Bring a picnic lunch. $10 per child. Free for adults and children under 3 years old. Find out more about Irvine Nature Center. BUILDING BRIDGES: Collaborative Projects for a Healthy Harbor
(Baltimore Green Forum) Date: April 17, 4 to 6:30 pm
Location: Maryland Presbyterian Church, 1105 Providence Road, Towson, MD 21286
Speakers will share details about projects underway to green Baltimore's alleyways and engage school children in the construction of the floating wetlands at the World Trade Center. Structured networking in "Affinity Groups" will follow their 45-minute presentation. Attend the event.
Who Wants to be an Urban Farmer?
Date: April 23, 9:30 am to noon
Location: Real Food Farm, 2801 St. Lo Drive, Baltimore, MD 21213
Join staff from Real Food Farm and Sunnyside Farm for a morning of how-to workshops on practical skills for food production in the city. This event is at Real Food Farm in Clifton Park and topics will include: vermiculture & composting, microgreen cultivation, backyard chickens, as well as kid-friendly activities throughout the morning. Register at 9:30, workshops 10 a.m. to noon. Suggested donation of $5-$15; families welcome; rain or shine; supplies, produce, and plant starts available for sale. RSVP to realfoodfarm@civicworks.com or (410)366-8533 ext. 203.
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 Open for Public Review and Comment
The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board is currently seeking public comments on the following:
Moving Howard County Forward
Howard County is requesting an amendment to add $9.7 million toward projects related to improving or repairing six local bridges. In addition, an amendment has also been requested to reflect a recent grant award of $3.8 million in FFY 2010 Transit Investment for Greenhouse Gas and Energy Reduction (TIGGER) II Discretionary Grant money for the Howard County Electric Bus Project.
A public meeting to answer questions and accept comments on these amendments is scheduled for Tuesday, April 26 at 7 p.m. at the Howard County Public Transportation Board meeting. This meeting will be held at the George Howard Building, 3430 Courthouse Drive, Ellicott City, MD 21043). >> Learn more about Moving Howard County Forward. Baltimore and Potomac Tunnel Study The Maryland Department of Transportation has submitted a request to include $56 million in funding for the Baltimore and Potomac (B&P) Tunnel. The B&P Tunel opened in 1873 and currently transports passengers via Amtrak and MARC trains, as well as freight traffic. Maryland was recently awarded a grant for Preliminary Engineering and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analysis for a new tunnel alignment to replace the existing B&P Tunnel, which is nearing the end of its useful life.
A public meeting to answer questions and accept comments on this amendment will be held on Wednesday, April 27 from 4:30 to 6:30 pm at the Enoch Pratt Free Library - Central Library branch, Wheeler Auditorium, located at 400 Cathedral St, Baltimore, MD 21201.
>> Get details about the B&P Tunnel study. The comment period for both is open through Friday, May 6. |
| | | | | Sara Tomlinson Environmental Planning Specialist 410-732-0500 Ext. 1035 |
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