Maryland Department of the Environment says it needs more staff to do what the law requires

The Maryland Department of the Environment says that it needs nearly 90 new employees to achieve targets set out in a recent law, which requires the agency to reduce a backlog of expired emissions permits and hold polluters accountable by increasing inspections and penalizing violators. The new law took effect in July and required the MDE to inform legislators by Oct. 1 about its staffing requirements to shore up its enforcement and regulatory performance. Environmentalists say both have plummeted under the administration of Gov. Larry Hogan, a moderate Republican. The agency informed the governor’s office and the General Assembly of its staffing requirements.