The Trump administration’s policies on climate change are having a profound impact on Maryland’s environmental and climate initiatives, with significant funding cuts and policy reversals threatening the state’s ambitious goals. Coastal communities like Crisfield are losing critical federal grants for flood prevention, while universities and research institutions face substantial reductions in funding. These changes come as Maryland grapples with a $3 billion budget deficit and a downgrade in the Chesapeake Bay’s health, highlighting the challenges of addressing environmental issues without federal support.

Adam Ortiz, deputy secretary of the Maryland Department of the Environment, has voiced concerns over the administration’s cuts, stating that climate, environmental, and clean energy projects are ‘on the chopping block.’ The cancellation of the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program by FEMA alone has cost the Chesapeake Bay watershed nearly $1 billion in funding, a move criticized by Rep. Sarah Elfreth and others for ignoring the real and devastating effects of flooding exacerbated by climate change.

Beyond flood control, the Trump administration has sought to cancel over $23.3 billion in clean energy grants nationwide, with proposed cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency further straining state resources. Maryland is now forced to find new revenue sources to cover these gaps, including increasing inspection and enforcement fees that haven’t been adjusted in decades.

The ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’ and executive orders targeting state climate laws and clean energy programs represent a broader assault on environmental initiatives, with potential implications for Maryland’s Climate Solutions Now Act of 2022 and local ordinances. The administration’s actions not only threaten Maryland’s environmental progress but also its position as a leader in clean energy innovation.

Federal layoffs are another concern for Maryland, home to a significant number of federal workers, including scientists and environmental experts. The EPA’s plans to reduce its workforce by 23% and the halting of funding to programs like AmeriCorps have direct consequences for the state’s ability to carry out environmental work and maintain its workforce.

As Maryland navigates these challenges, the state faces difficult decisions in balancing environmental protection with fiscal constraints. The Trump administration’s policies have left Maryland and other states to confront the realities of climate change with diminished federal support, underscoring the importance of state-level action in the absence of national leadership.

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