Tree canopies, data centers, protecting land, and more are on our radar this session

Great falls on a chilly winter morning. Photo credit: John Brighenti CC BY 2.0

On January 8, state representatives in Maryland and Virginia kick off their annual legislative sessions. During the session, Potomac Conservancy will be on the ground with clean water partners in Annapolis and Richmond every day to advocate for essential laws that will protect and restore the health of the Potomac River, the source of drinking water for 5 million people.

The Potomac River is only as healthy as its surrounding land. That’s why working on various environmental issues at the local and state levels is an integral part of our clean water strategy.

Our movement urges leaders to pass bipartisan land-use laws that strengthen our community’s natural defenses against the climate crisis.

Team Potomac is excited to work with our partners for the 2025 legislative session, but we’ve been engaged on policy issues all year. Over the past 8 months, we’ve

Stood against irresponsible tree removal along the George Washington Memorial Parkway

Strongly encouraged the Chesapeake Bay Executive Council to take quick action to get restoration efforts back on track,

Partnered with local organizations to share our concerns about proposed data centers

Lead the Montgomery County Forest Coalition to express support for additional tree-specific funding in Montgomery County, Maryland

Here’s what our 2025 priorities are

Maryland: Minimizing Transmission Line Impacts on Preserved Land

Shallow Dive: This bill would require Maryland to not only review the impact of a new transmission line on conserved land but also minimize it.

Deep Dive: Maryland’s Public Service Commission (PSC) has a legal obligation to review applications from utilities to build transmission lines to determine if the application meets Maryland’s requirements for permitting and construction approval. The current statute requires a review of the impact of a new transmission line on conserved lands but does not require the PSC to minimize the effect of a new transmission line on conserved land.

Recognizing both the need for utility grid enhancements and the importance of preserved land, the new legislation requires the PSC to minimize the impact of new transmission lines on preserved property.

Crabbs Branch in RockVille, Maryland. Photo credit: John Brighenti CC BY 2.0

Maryland: Defend State Environmental Programs from Budget Cuts

Shallow Dive: In January, state lawmakers will face a widening structural budget gap that may lead to significant cuts to environmental programs across multiple state agencies.

Deep Dive: Potomac Conservancy is ready to advocate for important environmental programs across multiple state agencies as legislators weigh options for fixing the budget shortfall. We’ll be paying close attention for any cuts to land conservation programs such as Program Open Space, which symbolizes Maryland's long-term commitment to conserving natural resources.

Man walking his dog on a trail. Photo credit: Virginia State Parks CC BY 2.0

Virginia: Virginia Great Outdoors Act

Shallow Dive: This bill is a $230 million request prioritizing investments in outdoor recreation and protecting public land.

Deep Dive: This legislation provides a sustainable funding source of $230 million in funding for the maintenance and acquisition of public lands and conservation initiatives in Virginia. It would guarantee significant resources are allocated to reinforcing the protection of Virginia’s outdoor recreation offerings, creating new returns on investment that should benefit both the environment and the economy.

The state lags behind regional peers when it comes to allocating funds for conservation and public lands, which is why this is a critical bill to pass.

Virginia: Tree Canopy

Shallow Dive: This legislation would allow localities to require increased tree plantings during or after projects.

Deep Dive: In Virginia, localities have limited authority to require developers to preserve existing mature trees or replace a higher percentage of trees that are cleared for construction (as a result of the Dillion Rule). This legislation would give localities more authority to increase canopy preservation or replacement requirements during or after projects.

Virginia’s trees act like sponges, helping the rain to readily soak into the landscape. A tree canopy can help shrink urban heat islands and reduce flooding. Trees are critical to improving the health of our environment and communities, and we need to protect them.

On our radar in Maryland and Virginia: Data Centers

Potomac Conservancy expects dozens of bills related to the data center industry to be introduced in both Maryland and Virginia during the 2025 legislative season. We’ll be monitoring them closely to see if they could have an impact on the Potomac Watershed. We will work closely with our state and local partners to ensure that proposed data centers are held to the same high standards as every other industry in our region.