- Altering the alternative compliance fee paid by certain owners of covered buildings to include the energy use attributable to the building's failure to meet energy targets.
- Requiring regulations to include an annual reporting fee to cover administrative costs.
- Requiring the Department of the Environment to deposit alternative compliance fees into the Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund.

The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2025. You can find more details [here](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2025RS/bills/hb/hb0049F.pdf).

House Bill 121, titled "Electric Companies - Regional Transmission Organizations - Report (Utility Transparency and Accountability Act)," proposes changes to the reporting requirements for electric companies in Maryland. Key provisions include:

- Requiring electric companies to submit an annual report to the Public Service Commission regarding each recorded vote cast by the electric company and any affiliate at a meeting of a regional transmission organization.
- Defining key terms such as "affiliate," "meeting," "recorded vote," and "regional transmission organization."

The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2025. You can find more details [here](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2025RS/bills/hb/hb0121F.pdf).

- Requiring the Maryland Department of Labor to adopt a requirement that new buildings meet all energy demands without the use of fossil fuels by January 1, 2026.
- Establishing an electric-ready standard for new buildings that receive a waiver from the fossil fuel requirement.
- Allowing local jurisdictions to grant waivers for emergency backup power systems and certain buildings, such as commercial food establishments, laboratories, laundromats, hospitals, and crematoriums.
- Requiring buildings granted a waiver to minimize emissions, maximize health, safety, and fire protection, and comply with electric-ready standards.
- Mandating periodic reviews of waivers to ensure they are still necessary.

The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2025.

---------------

Senate Bill 213, titled "Public Utilities - Natural Gas Energy Generation - Authorization and Limitation," proposes changes to the regulation of natural gas energy generation in Maryland. Key provisions include:

- Authorizing the construction, permitting, and operation of energy generating systems that produce energy from natural gas until the state meets certain energy goals.
- Establishing requirements for energy generating systems that produce energy from natural gas.
- Requiring the Department of the Environment to approve or deny applications for the construction of new energy generating systems that produce energy from natural gas.
- Prohibiting the construction, permitting, or operation of energy generating systems that produce energy from natural gas after the state meets its energy goals.
- Requiring energy generating systems to be decommissioned or transitioned to renewable energy systems within a certain time frame.

The act is set to take effect on June 1, 2025.

- Excluding energy derived from waste and refuse from being eligible for inclusion in the renewable energy portfolio standard.
- Altering the definition of "Tier 1 renewable source" to include solar energy, wind, qualifying biomass, methane from anaerobic decomposition, geothermal, ocean energy, fuel cells, small hydroelectric power plants, poultry litter-to-energy, thermal energy from thermal biomass systems, and raw or treated wastewater used as a heat source or sink.

The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2025.

House Bill 270, titled "Data Center Impact Analysis and Report," proposes an analysis of the environmental, energy, and economic impacts of data center development in Maryland. Key provisions include:

- Requiring the Department of the Environment, the Maryland Energy Administration, and the University of Maryland School of Business, in coordination with the Department of Legislative Services, to conduct the analysis.
- Assessing potential impacts on air and water quality, bay restoration goals, and the feasibility of mitigating technologies.
- Evaluating energy requirements, impacts on energy demand and supply, and greenhouse gas emissions reduction commitments.
- Analyzing economic and fiscal impacts, including state and local revenues, expenditures, and job creation.

The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and will remain effective until June 30, 2027.

- Requiring electric companies to submit plans for the construction or procurement of distribution-connected energy storage devices.
- Creating zero-emission credits for beneficial nuclear facilities.
- Pursuing coordinated approaches to offshore wind energy transmission development.
- Establishing the Utility-Scale SREC-II Program and the Small Solar Facilities Incentive Program.
- Modifying the distribution of sales and use tax revenue attributable to certain data centers.

The act is set to take effect on June 1, 2025.

House Bill 398, titled "Abundant Affordable Clean Energy - Procurement and Development (AACE Act)," proposes changes to the procurement and development of clean energy resources in Maryland. Key provisions include:

- Requiring electric companies to submit plans for the construction or procurement of distribution-connected energy storage devices.
- Creating zero-emission credits for beneficial nuclear facilities.
- Pursuing coordinated approaches to offshore wind energy transmission development.
- Establishing the Utility-Scale SREC-II Program and the Small Solar Facilities Incentive Program.
- Modifying the distribution of sales and use tax revenue attributable to certain data centers.

The act is set to take effect on June 1, 2025.

- Requiring the Public Service Commission to establish targets for electricity production from renewable energy resources located in the state.
- Setting goals of achieving 50% of all electricity sold in the state from renewable energy resources by 2030, 70% by 2035, and 80% by 2040.

The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2025.

- Increasing the number of commissioners from five to seven.
- Establishing residency requirements for each commissioner, ensuring representation from different regions of Maryland.
- Altering the manner in which the Chair of the Commission is appointed.
- Requiring the Commission to submit a slate of nominees to the Governor for the initial appointment of certain commissioners.

The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

House Bill 684, titled "State Lakes Protection and Restoration Fund - Alteration and Extension," proposes changes to the State Lakes Protection and Restoration Fund in Maryland. Key provisions include:

- Altering the purpose and authorized uses of the Fund to focus specifically on Deep Creek Lake.
- Extending the termination date of the provisions related to the Fund from June 30, 2025, to June 30, 2027.
- Ensuring that the Fund is used for activities such as removing sediment, treating contaminated sediment, preventing the spread of invasive species, and improving the ecological and recreational value of Deep Creek Lake.

The act is set to take effect on June 1, 2025.

- Prohibiting the Public Service Commission from approving a certificate of public convenience and necessity for a solar energy generating station unless the Commission receives written approval for the construction of the generating station from each county or municipal corporation where the generating station is proposed to be located.

The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2025. You can find more details [here](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2025RS/bills/sb/sb0478F.pdf).

- Prohibiting a person constructing a solar energy generating station from exercising a right of condemnation in connection with that construction.
- Amending existing laws to reflect this prohibition.

The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2025.

- Establishing a distributed generation certificate of public convenience and necessity (DGCPCN) to authorize the construction and operation of certain distributed solar energy generating systems.
- Requiring the Power Plant Research Program to develop and submit proposed siting and design requirements and licensing conditions to the Public Service Commission by July 1, 2026.
- Prohibiting counties from enacting zoning laws or adopting regulations that restrict or prohibit the construction or operation of certain ground-mounted solar systems and facilities.
- Establishing a Small Solar Siting Workgroup to review, determine, and make recommendations regarding best practices and statewide model policies for solar energy generating systems with capacities of up to 2 megawatts of alternating current.

The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, with certain provisions remaining effective until June 30, 2027.

- Requiring each electric company to submit a specific rate schedule for data center customers to the Public Service Commission for approval by July 1, 2026.
- Defining terms such as "contract capacity," "data center," "load ramp contract capacity," "load ramp period," and "mobile data center."
- Establishing requirements for service under the specific rate schedule, including minimum durations for contracts, financial responsibilities, and fees.
- Setting conditions for the approval of the specific rate schedule by the Public Service Commission, including load ramp periods, contract terms, and minimum billing demands.
- Allowing the Commission to waive certain requirements for customers with high credit ratings and significant cash reserves.
- Requiring the Commission to adopt regulations to carry out the provisions of the bill by January 1, 2026.

The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

- Establishing a base fee of at least $2.30 per ton for generators of coal combustion by-products.
- Creating the Statewide Coal Combustion By-Products Coordinating Committee to share information, monitoring results, and remedial actions.
- Requiring the Department of the Environment to adopt regulations to implement federal guidelines and rules by specific dates.

The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2025.

- Requiring the Department of Planning, in consultation with the Maryland Energy Administration, to conduct the study.
- Developing criteria to assess and compare the suitability of sites for new solar projects.
- Assessing the feasibility of using lease agreements for solar energy projects on the identified land.
- Reporting findings and recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly by October 1, 2027.

The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2025.

Purpose: Develop New Nuclear Energy: Pursue agreements with neighboring states and federal agencies. Encourage clean, carbon-free nuclear power development. Procurement Process: Solicitations: Issue competitive solicitations for dispatchable energy generation projects. Set requirements for nuclear and other energy projects. Approval and Financing: Evaluation Criteria: Analyze cost impact on ratepayers and economic, environmental, and health benefits. Consider project feasibility and location. Require community benefit agreements and minority business participation. Implementation: Deadlines: Issue solicitations by October 1, 2025. Report progress by December 1, 2026. Effective Date: July 1, 2025.

Purpose: Renewable Energy Certainty: Enhance and support the development of renewable energy generating stations. Streamline the approval process and remove barriers for renewable energy projects. Key Provisions: Public Service Commission Considerations: Factors include stability, reliability, economics, esthetics, historic sites, aviation safety, air quality, water pollution, climate change, and greenhouse gas emissions. Local Jurisdiction Regulations: Prohibits local jurisdictions from adopting laws or regulations that hinder solar energy projects. Requires local governments to expedite review and approval of site development plans. Community Solar Projects: Authorizes local governments to establish community solar energy generating systems with automatic enrollment for residents. Includes requirements for subscription coordinators and customer rights. Residential Rooftop Solar: Establishes technical safety standards and minimum qualifications for installers. Requires a 5-year warranty on installations and components. Effective Date: October 1, 2025

Purpose: Establish the Integrated Resource Planning Office in the Public Service Commission. Develop a Comprehensive Energy Forecast to support Maryland's energy needs and greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals. Key Provisions: Energy Forecast: 25-year projections for electricity load and demand. Scenarios for meeting energy needs and emissions goals. Strategies for energy reliability, emissions reductions, and financial impact. Collaboration: Involve the Maryland Energy Administration, Power Plant Research Program, and other entities. Hire private consultants if necessary. Energy Modeling: Conduct cost-benefit analyses and planning for energy scenarios. Public comment period for modeling results. Reporting: Regular reports to the Governor and General Assembly on forecast status and modeling. Effective Date: July 1, 2025.

• Maryland False Claim Act:

  • Apply to claims involving unemployment insurance.

  • Prohibit false records or statements that result in underpayment of contributions or improper payment of benefits.

  • Deposit civil penalties and damages into the Unemployment Insurance Fund and use penalties for prevailing wage violations to pay restitution to workers.

• Workplace Fraud Laws:

  • General contractors and higher-tiered contractors considered employers of misclassified workers.

  • Prohibit the waiver of workplace fraud laws by private agreement.

  • Establish the Worker Protection Unit within the Office of the Attorney General to enforce worker protection laws.

• Enforcement Mechanisms:

  • Allow the Attorney General to bring actions against employers for underpayment of wages and workplace fraud.

  • Provide mechanisms for the Commissioner of Labor and Industry to investigate and enforce compliance.

  • Impose penalties for failure to properly classify employees and obstruct investigations.

• Collaboration and Information Sharing:

  • Require state agencies to share information on suspected worker misclassification.

  • Cooperate with federal agencies for enforcement.

Effective Date: October 1, 2025.

- Excluding energy derived from waste and refuse from being eligible for inclusion in the renewable energy portfolio standard.
- Altering the definition of "Tier 1 renewable source" to include solar energy, wind, qualifying biomass, methane from anaerobic decomposition, geothermal, ocean energy, fuel cells, small hydroelectric power plants, poultry litter-to-energy, thermal energy from thermal biomass systems, and raw or treated wastewater used as a heat source or sink.

The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2025.

This bill requires each electric company, other than a municipal electric utility, to submit a report to the Public Service Commission (PSC) by February 1 each year containing information related to recent votes cast at a meeting of a regional transmission organization (RTO). The report must include (1) all recorded votes cast by the electric company, regardless of whether the vote is otherwise disclosed and (2) all votes cast by a State affiliate of the electric company if the electric company itself does not vote on the matter.

House Bill 121, titled "Electric Companies - Regional Transmission Organizations - Report (Utility Transparency and Accountability Act)," proposes changes to the reporting requirements for electric companies in Maryland. Key provisions include:

- Requiring electric companies to submit an annual report to the Public Service Commission regarding each recorded vote cast by the electric company and any affiliate at a meeting of a regional transmission organization.
- Defining key terms such as "affiliate," "meeting," "recorded vote," and "regional transmission organization."

The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2025. You can find more details [here](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2025RS/bills/hb/hb0121F.pdf).

Senate Bill 116, titled "Data Center Impact Analysis and Report," proposes an analysis of the environmental, energy, and economic impacts of data center development in Maryland. Key provisions include:

- Requiring the Department of the Environment, the Maryland Energy Administration, and the University of Maryland School of Business, in coordination with the Department of Legislative Services, to conduct the analysis.
- Assessing potential impacts on air and water quality, bay restoration goals, and the feasibility of mitigating technologies.
- Evaluating energy requirements, impacts on energy demand and supply, and greenhouse gas emissions reduction commitments.
- Analyzing economic and fiscal impacts, including state and local revenues, expenditures, and job creation.

The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and will remain effective until June 30, 2027.

- Altering the alternative compliance fee paid by certain owners of covered buildings to include the energy use attributable to the building's failure to meet energy targets.
- Requiring regulations to include an annual reporting fee to cover administrative costs.
- Requiring the Department of the Environment to deposit alternative compliance fees into the Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund.

The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2025. You can find more details [here](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2025RS/bills/hb/hb0049F.pdf).

- Requiring electric companies to submit plans for the construction or procurement of distribution-connected energy storage devices.
- Creating zero-emission credits for beneficial nuclear facilities.
- Pursuing coordinated approaches to offshore wind energy transmission development.
- Establishing the Utility-Scale SREC-II Program and the Small Solar Facilities Incentive Program.
- Modifying the distribution of sales and use tax revenue attributable to certain data centers.

The act is set to take effect on June 1, 2025.

- Establishing the Task Force to Study the Premature Retirement of Electricity Generation Facilities.
- Comprising members from the Senate, House of Delegates, Department of the Environment, Public Service Commission, and other stakeholders.
- Assessing cost savings, energy reliability, environmental impact, and economic challenges related to the premature retirement of electricity generation facilities.
- Facilitating collaboration among stakeholders and conducting an infrastructure transition analysis.
- Making recommendations to address challenges and enhance decision-making regarding the premature retirement of electricity generation facilities.

The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and will remain effective until June 30, 2026.

- Altering the purpose and authorized uses of the Fund to focus specifically on Deep Creek Lake.
- Extending the termination date of the provisions related to the Fund from June 30, 2025, to June 30, 2027.
- Ensuring that the Fund is used for activities such as removing sediment, treating contaminated sediment, preventing the spread of invasive species, and improving the ecological and recreational value of Deep Creek Lake.

The act is set to take effect on June 1, 2025.

• Requiring the Department of Planning, in consultation with the Maryland Energy Administration, to conduct the study.

• Developing criteria to assess and compare the suitability of sites for new solar projects.

• Assessing the feasibility of using lease agreements for solar energy projects on the identified land.

• Reporting findings and recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly by October 1, 2027.

- Prohibiting the Public Service Commission from approving a certificate of public convenience and necessity for a solar energy generating station unless the Commission receives written approval for the construction of the generating station from each county or municipal corporation where the generating station is proposed to be located.

The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2025. You can find more details [here](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2025RS/bills/sb/sb0478F.pdf).

- Requiring the Department of General Services, in consultation with the Maryland Green Purchasing Committee, the University System of Maryland, and the Maryland Clean Energy Center, to establish the program by January 1, 2026.
- Authorizing the Department to procure biogas for use in the state's transportation and building sectors.
- Collecting data and analyzing the environmental and economic costs and benefits of replacing fossil natural gas with biogas.
- Requiring the University System of Maryland to complete a carbon lifecycle analysis of biogas.
- Terminating the program on December 31, 2028.

The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2025. You can find more details [here](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2025RS/bills/sb/sb0480F.pdf).

- Prohibiting a person constructing a solar energy generating station from exercising a right of condemnation in connection with that construction.
- Amending existing laws to reflect this prohibition.

The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2025.

- Allowing the construction, permitting, and operation of energy generating systems that produce energy from natural gas in the state.
- Requiring compliance with existing requirements for obtaining a certificate of public convenience and necessity or commission approval for the construction of the generating system.
- Supporting the development of additional nuclear energy in the state, including small modular reactors and the combination of nuclear energy and energy produced from natural gas.
- Encouraging PJM Interconnection, LLC to provide an expedited interconnection process for new thermal generation resources in the state.

The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2025. You can find more details [here](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2025RS/bills/sb/sb0643F.pdf).

- Requiring the Public Service Commission to conduct a full costs and benefits analysis of electricity generation sources in the state.
- Identifying the costs of electricity to ratepayers based on different generation mixes, including natural gas, nuclear energy, and offshore wind energy.
- Using the Levelized Full System Cost of Electricity model to analyze the costs of meeting the state's electricity needs from various energy sources.
- Recommending policy changes to support the development of the most cost-effective and beneficial energy sources for ratepayers.

The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2025.

• Periodic Audits:

  • Require electric, gas, gas and electric, and water companies to submit periodic audits to the Public Service Commission.

Key Provisions:

• Audit Submission:

  • Companies must submit an audit of utility operations, customer usage, and customer billing every three years, starting December 31, 2026.

• Audit Contents:

  • Include information on customer rate increases or decreases, factors leading to rate changes, customer usage patterns, billing changes, and company billing practices.

• Public Access:

  • The Commission must determine the audit report format and publish each audit on its website.

Effective Date: October 1, 2025.

• Building Performance Standards:

  • Enhance the Maryland Building Performance Standards to promote energy conservation and fossil fuel reduction.

Key Provisions:

• Fossil Fuel Reduction:

  • New buildings and significant improvements must meet laundry, water, and space heating demands without fossil fuels by October 1, 2025.

  • Allow waivers for specific uses, such as emergency backup power systems, commercial food establishments, and laboratories, with certain conditions.

• Energy Efficiency:

  • Define energy efficiency and electric-ready standards.

  • Establish average energy efficiency requirements for new residential buildings and all buildings.

• Solar-Ready:

  • Require solar-ready standards for new buildings and significant improvements with at least 20,000 square feet of roof space.

  • Allow waivers based on incident solar radiation or shadow studies.

• Local Jurisdiction Authority:

  • Permit local jurisdictions to adopt stricter energy conservation requirements and prohibit fossil fuel use in buildings.

"Renewable Energy Certainty Act." The bill aims to streamline the approval and construction processes for renewable energy projects, particularly solar energy generating stations and energy storage devices. Key provisions include: Public Service Commission (PSC) Considerations: The bill alters the factors the PSC must consider before taking final action on a certificate of public convenience and necessity for renewable energy projects. Construction Requirements: It establishes certain requirements for the construction of solar energy generating stations and energy storage devices. Local Jurisdiction Regulations: The bill prohibits local jurisdictions from adopting certain laws or regulations or denying certain site development plans under specific circumstances. Expedited Review: It requires local governments to expedite the review and approval of certain site development plans under certain conditions. Community Solar Energy Systems: The bill authorizes local governments to establish automatic enrollment programs for community solar energy generating systems under certain circumstances. Residential Rooftop Solar Systems: It establishes certain requirements for the sale, lease, and installation of residential rooftop solar energy generating systems. PSC Study: The bill requires the PSC to conduct a study to establish a process by which the Commission may establish certain partnerships. If enacted, the bill is scheduled to take effect on October 1, 2025. This legislation aims to facilitate the development of renewable energy infrastructure in Maryland by streamlining approval processes and encouraging local government participation.

Senate Bill 937, titled "Public Utilities - Electricity Generation Planning - Procurement, Permitting, and Co-Location (Next Generation Energy Act)," focuses on promoting nuclear energy development in Maryland. It mandates the Maryland Energy Administration to collaborate with neighboring states and federal agencies for agreements related to new nuclear energy generation. The bill also prohibits certain electricity suppliers from entering into contracts with commercial or industrial customers under specific circumstances.