Maryland Moves Toward Nutrient Trading With Proposal to Certify Pollutant Credits

摘要

One component of Maryland's plan to move toward water quality nutrient trading was unveiled Dec. 28 as the Maryland Department of Agriculture proposed regulations that would govern how farmers may earn pollution reduction credits that could be sold to others. State officials previously announced that the Agriculture Department would promulgate rules for certifying fanners' credits while the Maryland Department of the Environment would issue guidance-expected in spring 2016-for selling credits to other entities (46 ER 3707, 12/4/15). Buyers could include wastewater treatment plants, developers or local jurisdictions that may be unable to reduce their nutrient load or may find it more economical to buy credits than to control runoff.