O’MALLEY CALLS FOR ENERGY INDEPENDENCE

BALTIMORE, MD (July 4, 2006) As thousands across our state celebrate our country’s independence, Mayor Martin O’Malley released the following statement today in support of Energy Independence for the State of Maryland:

“Our country has become increasingly dependent on foreign oil to our detriment. Maryland families feel the effects of our dependence on foreign oil everyday at the gas pump and see it portrayed on the evening news. Gas prices are nearly a $1 a gallon more this year than they were last year.�

“This summer, as we celebrate Independence Day across our state, let us also recommit ourselves to achieving true independence from foreign oil.�

“We need leadership in Maryland that has the independence to stand with our families and not big energy companies and the Bush Administration. Anthony Brown and I believe that Maryland needs a comprehensive vision to increase our energy independence – independence from the special interests and independence from fossil fuels.�

“Earlier in this campaign, we released a comprehensive energy plan that provides immediate relief to keep energy affordable for our families, and reduces our dependence on foreign oil. Our plan builds on Maryland’s strengths and invests in renewable fuel technologies, mass transit options, and promotes conservation.�

The O’Malley-Brown Comprehensive Energy Plan would:

•Double Assistance to Local Communities to Purchase Renewable Energy. Many local communities can experience significant savings and pass those savings on to taxpayers through the purchase of renewable energy. For example, communities that purchased wind power were able to save significantly as the cost of natural gas skyrocketed in the wake of Hurricane Katrina last year. An O’Malley/Brown Administration will double funding to the Community Energy Loan Program (CELP). CELP currently provides financing for local governments to implement energy conservation programs. Under the O’Malley/Brown plan, CELP will also help local governments implement cost-effective plans to purchase renewable fuels. The Administration will instruct the Director of the Maryland Energy Administration to provide technical assistance and advice in securing alternative energy for local communities.

•Create Incentives that Promote the Production and Use of Renewable Fuels. Renewable fuels, such as traditional and cellulosic ethanol, bio-diesel and biomass are environmentally friendly alternatives to fossil fuels. However, the state is not currently doing enough to encourage use and production of these fuels to make them cost-competitive. An O’Malley/Brown Administration will work to increase the tax credit for companies that manufacture renewable fuels in the state. The Administration will also partner with Maryland’s congressional delegation to extend a similar tax credit at the federal level. The Administration will promote tax credits for landowners who place wind turbines on their land. Not only will these measures increase the production of renewable fuels in the state, but they will also attract investment and create new jobs for Marylanders in a growth industry.

•Empower Consumers. An O’Malley/Brown Administration will empower families and small business owners to be more knowledgeable consumers through programmable thermostats and “smart� meters that relay real-time cost information. By leveraging this technology, Marylanders can make informed choices on future energy usage.

•Decrease Dependence on Foreign Oil by Promoting Alternative-Fuel Vehicles. In Baltimore, we implemented an innovative program to promote alternative-fuel vehicles with reduced parking at many downtown locations. An O’Malley/Brown administration will work with localities to help implement similar programs that reward Marylanders with alternative fuel vehicles.

•Create New Tax Credits & Sales Tax Holidays to Encourage the Use of Energy Efficient Appliances & Construction of Green Homes and Buildings. An O’Malley/Brown Administration will consider a wide variety of tax credits and incentives to encourage the use of energy efficient appliances and the construction of “green� homes and buildings. To encourage the purchases of energy efficient appliances, an O’Malley/Brown Administration will establish a “sales tax holiday� for energy efficient household and commercial appliances. Such holidays will not only help consumers but have proven to be a boon to retailers as well. The Administration will also look to establish tax credits for the construction of “green� buildings and homes that have less impact on the environment and use less energy.

•Promote Proper Weatherization of Homes and Businesses. An O’Malley/Brown Administration will work to ensure more Marylanders have energy efficient homes that are properly weatherized to prevent excessive heating and cooling costs. The Administration will 1) create and enforce rental housing standards to achieve higher levels of energy efficiency and provide incentives for landlords to invest in weatherizing their properties; 2) craft incentives for homeowners to invest in weatherizing their homes and 3) increase weatherization funds for insulation and windows for low-income Marylanders to help clear the current backlog of people waiting to make improvements.

•Convert a Significant Percentage of the State of Maryland’s Vehicle Fleet to Hybrid and Other Energy Efficient Vehicles. The Administration will issue an executive order requiring that an additional 10% of the State of Maryland’s official vehicle fleet be hybrid or run on alternative fuels by 2010. The Administration will also work to increase the number of “green� buildings and facilities run by the state of Maryland.