Conservation Blog
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DC’s Fight for a Bottle Bill: How the 3RC for DC Coalition Is Leading the Way
Washington, DC is drowning in beverage container waste. From the banks of Oxon Run to neighborhoods across all eight wards, plastic bottles litter our public spaces and waterways. But a powerful grassroots movement is fighting back using strategy, determination, and collaboration. 3RC for DC, the Return, Refund, Recycle Coalition, the driving force behind the District’s… Read more
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What is the Utility RELIEF Act and Where Is It Now?
The Utility RELIEF Act is a broad energy and environmental bill focused on lowering electricity costs for Maryland ratepayers. It is an omnibus bill, incorporating aspects from at least 15 different energy and environmental bills that did not pass on their own this session. Originally, the bill’s data center provisions were fairly weak. However, after working with members of the Senate Committee on Education, Energy, and the Environment, several of Nature Forward and Marylanders… Read more
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The Potomac Interceptor Sewage Spill: Water Infrastructure Wake-Up Call
In January 2026, one of the largest sewage spills in U.S. history occurred along the Potomac River, exposing vulnerabilities in aging wastewater infrastructure and raising urgent concerns about environmental health, economic impacts, and public accountability across Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia. The collapse of the Potomac Interceptor sewer line not only polluted a critical regional… Read more
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Data Center Bills for MDGA2026
Sine Die Updates: You can read our full press release on the end of session here! Crossover Updates Before Crossover, Governor Wes Moore and General Assembly leadership introduced the Utility RELIEF Bill, which is an omnibus bill that includes many of the energy and data center bills that we have been working on. Even if… Read more
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2026 Maryland General Assembly Legislative Priorities
Updates: Bill Outcome Next Steps CHERISH (HB1287) Dead – read more here Work with MDE and coalition members to ensure that CHERISH finds a middle ground for next session CHERISH (HB1268) Dead – read more here Work with MDE and coalition members to ensure that CHERISH finds a middle ground for next session Bottle Bill… Read more
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Rally for Data Center Reform on March 11!
Join the Marylanders for Data Center Reform coalition for our inaugural Lobby Day for data center reform. Sign up to meet with YOUR legislators to advocate for responsible data center development in Maryland. Kick off the day at 9 AM at Lawyer’s Mall (in front of the State House) with speakers, then join us for… Read more
