By Jeannetyler Moodee Lockman
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
The Baltimore City Council voted Monday night to appeal a federal court ruling that struck down the city’s Clean Air Act and introduced a bill requiring the Health Commissioner to report data on residents infected with COVID-19.
The City Council approved the Baltimore Clean Air Act last February and former Mayor Catherine Pugh signed it into law a month later, on March 7, 2019. The law puts pressure on the city’s largest waste incinerators, Wheelabrator and Curtis Bay Energy, to either meet the protective air pollution standards or shut down.
Environmental studies show that Baltimore has some of the most dangerous air to breathe in the nation. Two years ago, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America ranked Baltimore as the 33rd worst asthma capital in the nation.
Both Wheelabrator and Curtis Bay Energy filed a lawsuit against the city and the federal court ruled to reject the bill because of its conflict with the state law. The court also questioned the council’s ability to measure the output of pollutants caused by these companies.
“All communities deserve to breathe clean air,” said Councilwoman Mary Pat Clarke, who introduced the resolution to appeal the ruling and warned the council about the negative effects of the decision.
The unanimous vote means that the City Council will formally request the Baltimore City Law Department to appeal the decision made by the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland.
The council also introduced a Health Emergencies Bill, which would require the Health Commissioner to publish data and demographics of Baltimore residents who have tested positive for or died from Coronavirus. With this bill, specific data, like race, gender, and zip code, will be published on a website to enable the council to determine the areas with underlying health issues such as asthma or lead poisoning.
“It’s important to know how this will impact residents of all backgrounds and to be confident that we [City Council] are handling the pandemic in the best way,” said Council President Brandon Scott.
Gov. Larry Hogan and state health officials on Monday reported 4,045 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, including 95 deaths. Maryland added 436 cases and 28 deaths since Sunday. Baltimore City reported 435 confirmed cases and eight deaths, officials said.