April 27th, 2016 by WCBC Radio

Once again this year local lawmakers with the help from labor unions were able to defeat a measure before the Maryland legislature to roll back payments to paper companies burning a pulping residue known as “black liquor." The black-liquor proposal had broad support among Maryland lawmakers seeking to correct unintended consequences of the state’s renewable portfolio standard, which was adopted in 2004. Representatives for the Luke paper mill in Allegany County, owned by Verso Corp., say the sale of energy generated by black liquor help keep the more than century-old plant afloat.  It employs 800 people in a region long hit hard by industrial decline. Delegate Wendell Beitzel called it a victory for western Maryland.