The Maryland House Environmental and Economic affairs committees will hold a hearing at 1 p.m. today on a bill that would require a 90 percent reduction in global warming pollution from all businesses by 2050.

In a story in this morning's paper, I wrote about how a Western Maryland paper mill is one of several smokestack industries -- including a steel mill and coal-burning power plants -- that worry the bill will put them out of business, essentially by prohibiting the burning of coal.

Gov. Martin O'Malley's administration, which supports the Global Warming Solutions Act, may come out with a proposed amendment today designed to ease the fears of business. The amendment may allow the state's environmental agency to re-evaluate the greenhouse gas reduction goals every few years to make sure they're practical for business and won't drive away jobs.

Meanwhile, a coalition of environmental groups, including the Maryland League of Conservation Voters, is holding a press conference at 11:30 this morning in Annapolis to tell the other side of the story. They hope that the law will encourage thousands of new "green collar" jobs, such as in energy-efficient architecture and building insulation. 

The argument of these other business owners is that Maryland should adapt its economy for a healthy, low-pollution future, instead of clinging to coal-burning technologies of the 19th century.  The state's few remaining smokestack industries -- Maryland has only one paper mill, and one steel mill -- are already losing jobs because of intense competition from China and other foreign competitors. (Which don't have limits on carbon dioxide pollution) 

In Maryland, several unions have come out against the Global Warming Solutions Act, fearing loss of jobs in heavy industry. But nationally, other union leaders have taken a different stance toward climate change.

John J. Sweeney, president of the AFL-CIO, told a climate change conference in New York on Feb. 14 that governments need to act to try to stop global warming. "We hear again and again that we must choose between having a stable climate and having a strong global economy. This is a false choice," Sweeney said. "The global economy cannot prosper unless we secure a stable climate and sustainable sources of energy. Global warming means global Depression, food and water shortages and drowned cities.

"I have stood in New Orleans’ Ninth Ward and seen that future. How serious is the economic threat from global warming? The British government’s Stern Report in 2006 concluded that unless human behavior changes, global warming will lead to a reduction of global economic activity on the level of 10 to 20 percent by 2100. That’s economic damage on the scale of the Great Depression. One can only imagine the social and political problems bestowed upon our children and grandchildren."