O'Malley Inclined To Support Detergent Delay

“I'm glad that Maryland, by being in front, was able to change the way an entire industry operates in a product that's offered, in essence, nationwide”

Gov. Martin O'Malley said Wednesday he is inclined to sign a bill to allow a six-month delay in the nation's first statewide requirement for low-phosphorus dishwashing detergent, a law aimed at reducing pollution in the Chesapeake Bay.

The Maryland General Assembly approved a bill a year ago to require companies that make dishwashing detergent to use low amounts of phosphorous by the end of this year.

But detergent maker Procter & Gamble Co. complained the legislation took effect too soon to make production changes and pushed to delay implementation until July 2010, a change that was approved by lawmakers in the last session. Read more