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So the MD General Assembly has finally adjourned. Our governor was pushing several environmental bills this session, the most ambitious of which would have cut carbon emissions by 25% over the next 12 years. It was defeated by a vote of 20-2 yesterday.

I’m a little conflicted about Gov. O’Malley’s environmental focus. First, I think there are more pressing, immediate issues that need to be addressed by Annapolis. And me, I’m a bit of tree hugger, but I also buy bottled water by the case (and I’m not alone — see today’s b).

At least Martin is as much of a hypocrite as I am.

Looks like most of our government officials — even the ones out there pushing for environmental reform — are driving around in giant SUVs.

• O’Malley drives a Chevrolet Suburban, mainly because he has an entourage.
• Rep. Ruppersberger has a GM Yukon Denali, reportedly required because he is “a big guy”.
• Mayor Dixon uses a Ford Expedition because it was good enough for O’Malley. Plus it has room for all of her “security gear”.
• Anne Arundel County Executive John Leopold also drives an Expedition, saying that his bad back can’t tolerate seats in a regular sedan.

Some of the justifications for this wastefulness are amusing (like: my Escalade is smaller than my old Excursion, so it’s ok). How can a person so passionately argue for a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, and then drive one of these monsters to a fuel pump without flinching? Perhaps we should tackle global warming one step at a time — starting with the parking lot at the State House.

(Props to the handful of politicians on the other end of the spectrum, including Reps. Sarbane and Cummings, who drive a Ford Focus and a Chevrolet Aveo, respectively.)

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