By Sarah Vogelsong
Virginia Gov. Ralph S. Northam (D) is weighing legal action against Pennsylvania over its Chesapeake Bay cleanup plan, which falls short of the state’s commitments to reduce pollutants that make it into the bay.
Last week, Maryland Gov. Lawrence J. Hogan Jr. (R) announced he was directing Attorney General Brian E. Frosh (D) to pursue an action against both Pennsylvania and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which has broad authority over the decades-long effort.
“It’s clear the Trump EPA must do more to ensure accountability across all watershed states,” said Northam spokeswoman Alena Yarmosky in an email. “Our administration is discussing various next steps with Attorney General Mark Herring’s office, Governor Hogan, and other regional partners.”
In response to the administration’s statement, Chesapeake Bay Foundation Virginia Executive Director Peggy Sanner said her organization “would support any action that helps Pennsylvania achieve its [Clean Water] Blueprint goals.”
“So far, Pennsylvania’s elected officials have not made the investments needed to meet their clean water commitments,” she said. “And EPA’s failure to impose consequences puts the entire cleanup at risk.”
The dustup over Pennsylvania follows years of shortfalls by that state in meeting reductions targets for nitrogen and phosphorus, the two nutrients responsible for most of the pollution in the Chesapeake Bay.
This December, the EPA found that Pennsylvania’s most recent plan to meet 2025 cleanup goals failed to meet the nitrogen reduction target by almost 10 million pounds.
The state’s ongoing failure to reduce its pollution loads to target levels has sparked concern from other states, particularly because its upstream position influences the health of waters off both Maryland and Virginia.
What other states can do to force adherence to the cleanup plans, however, is unclear, particularly after surprise comments Jan. 3 by EPA Chesapeake Bay Program director Dana Aunkst that Bay Program goals are only aspirational and cannot be legally enforced.
The statement, made at a meeting of the Chesapeake Bay Commission, a legislative body that coordinates bay-related funding and policy between Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and the federal government, provoked widespread condemnation by environmental groups.
According to Bloomberg Environment, if Maryland continues its suit, the case could end up at the U.S. Supreme Court.
Sarah Vogelsong is a reporter for the Virginia Mercury, where this article originally appeared.
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