US Climate Policy Split: Maryland EV Charging Plan and Maine Coal Investment Criticism

Montgomery County in Maryland hired engineering firm ERG to design a screening tool and total‑cost‑of‑ownership analysis for expanding public electric‑vehicle charging stations. The tool ranks more than 30,000 land parcels using factors such as highway proximity, vehicle density, environmental‑justice priority areas, and grid connectivity, and evaluates on‑site technical feasibility. The effort supports Maryland’s targets of cutting greenhouse‑gas emissions 60 % below 2006 levels by 2031 and reaching net‑zero by 2045.

In Maine, climate‑advocacy group Maine Climate Action Now, led by director Amy Eshoo, denounced the federal administration’s $700 million investment to build, modernize and restart coal‑fired power plants. The group argued the move undermines state goals to reduce emissions 45 % by 2030 and 80 % by 2050, while many Mainers struggle with electricity costs and offshore wind projects face delays. Eshoo highlighted health impacts from coal‑related air pollution that the state receives via prevailing winds, calling the policy a step in the wrong direction for renewable energy development.