ANNAPOLIS — Maryland Gov. Wes Moore on Thursday signed a sweeping executive order aimed at addressing racial and economic disparities in environmental policy and land access across the state.
The order instructs state agencies to improve data collection on environmental hazards, health outcomes, and resource distribution, with a focus on communities historically affected by pollution and limited economic opportunity. It also seeks to expand access to financing and land for underserved populations.
“Today, I signed an executive order that confronts issues like land access and access to financing so we can drive economic growth and empower agencies to track disparities,” Moore wrote on X.
The directive calls for cross-agency collaboration to ensure more equitable investments and benefits tied to state environmental and development initiatives.
“This executive order isn’t like anything you’d see come out of D.C.,” Moore added. “Instead of walking away from communities of color… we’re ensuring that our state government is more accountable to its people.”
The order follows a series of initiatives by Moore’s administration focused on economic mobility and environmental justice.