Key provisions include:

- 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.

Key provisions include:

- 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.

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.

Key provisions include:

-**Renaming**: The "renewable energy portfolio standard" is renamed to "clean energy portfolio standard."

- **Clean Energy Sources**: Expands the definition to include nuclear energy generating stations.

- **Minimum Requirements**: Alters the minimum required percentage of energy from clean energy sources for certain years.

- **Offshore Wind Projects**: Changes the application and approval criteria for offshore wind projects.

- **Compliance Fees**: Adjusts the compliance fee for shortfalls from Tier 1 renewable source requirements.

- **Nuclear Energy Projects**: Establishes a process for the Public Service Commission to review and approve applications for nuclear energy generation projects.

- **Minority Business Support**: Requires assistance for potential applicants and minority investors from the Governor's Office of Small, Minority, and Women Business Affairs.

- **Business Development Fund**: Renames the "Maryland Offshore Wind Business Development Fund" to "Clean Energy Business Development Fund."

The bill aims to promote clean energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and support economic development in the clean energy sector.

Key provisions include:

- 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.

Key provisions include:

Increase in Commissioners: The number of commissioners will increase from five to seven.

Residency Requirements: Specific residency requirements for commissioners from different regions of Maryland.

Appointment of Chair: The Chair of the Commission will be appointed from among the commissioners with the advice and consent of the Senate.

Nominee Slate: The Commission must submit a slate of nominees to the Governor for the initial appointment of the new commissioners by August 1, 2025.

Prospective Application: The Act applies only to future appointments and does not affect current commissioners. The bill aims to ensure geographic and demographic diversity within the Public Service Commission.

Key provisions include:

- **Alternative Use**: The Commission must consider alternatives such as using existing transmission lines, existing rights-of-way, reconductoring existing lines, and undergrounding lines.

- **Criteria for Alternatives**: Alternatives must be considered if they are convenient, promote economic and efficient service, maintain preservation areas, or avoid overlap with planned growth or residential areas.

- **No Franchise Requirement**: The Commission does not need to consider whether the company owning the alternative line has a franchise in the service area. The bill aims to promote the use of existing infrastructure and minimize the impact of new transmission lines on communities and the environment.

Key provisions include:

- 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.

Key provisions include:

- 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.

Key provisions include:

- Altering the definition of "qualified generator lead line" to include advanced transmission technologies.

- Requiring applicants for a certificate of public convenience and necessity for the construction of an overhead transmission line to include certain analyses.

- Requiring the Public Service Commission to consider alternatives before taking final action on an application.

- Mandating owners or operators of overhead transmission lines to submit biennial reports on transmission congestion and the feasibility of using advanced transmission technologies. The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2025.

Key provisions include:

- 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.

Key provisions include:

- 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.

• Building Performance Standards:

  • Improve energy conservation and efficiency.

  • Reduce fossil fuel use in new buildings and significant improvements.

Key Provisions:

• Fossil Fuel Use:

  • New buildings and significant improvements must meet heating demands without fossil fuels.

  • Local jurisdictions may grant waivers in specific cases.

• Electric- and Solar-Ready Standards:

  • Buildings must be electric- and solar-ready.

  • Requirements for electric panel capacity and solar panel installation.

• Energy Conservation Requirements:

  • Establish energy conservation requirements for buildings.

  • Set minimum energy efficiency percentages for different periods and building types.

Waivers:

• Local jurisdictions can grant waivers for emergency backup power systems and specific building types.

• Waivers must be reviewed periodically to ensure necessity.

Effective Date: October 1, 2025.

**Maryland Energy Administration**:

- Coordinate with Public Service Commission and Department of Natural Resources.

- Pursue cost-sharing agreements with neighboring states.

- Pursue agreements with federal agencies for nuclear energy development.

**Electricity Suppliers**:

- Restrictions on direct contracts with commercial or industrial customers.

- Conditions under which generating stations can supply electricity directly.

**Nuclear Energy Generation**:

- Establishing a procurement process for energy generation projects. - Criteria for evaluating and approving projects.

- Reporting requirements for progress and status.

**Goals**:

- Encourage development of clean, carbon-free nuclear power.

- Facilitate financing and construction of energy generation projects.

- Promote environmental and economic benefits.

**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.

• Establish Integrated Resource Planning Office:

  • Develop a Comprehensive Energy Forecast for the state's energy needs and greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals.

Key Provisions:

• Energy Forecast:

  • 25-year projections for electricity load and demand.

  • Strategies for reliability, emissions reductions, and financial impact.

  • Involve Maryland Energy Administration and other entities.

• 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.

• Study on the Electric Transmission and Distribution System:

  • Conduct a comprehensive assessment to enhance grid technology, ensure system reliability, and improve cybersecurity and physical security.

Key Provisions:

• Study Components:

  • Identify current and future inadequacies in the electric transmission system.

  • Evaluate alternatives to building transmission lines, such as grid-enhancing technologies.

  • Examine economic, environmental, and social impacts of identified alternatives.

• Grid-Enhancing Technologies:

  • Assess technologies such as dynamic line rating, power flow controllers, topology optimization, and other innovative solutions.

• Investments:

  • Identify necessary investments to modernize the electric transmission and distribution system.

  • Focus on enhancing reliability, security against cyber and physical threats, and energy conservation.

Reporting:

• Public Input and Stakeholder Involvement:

  • Summarize public input and the role of local government in the study.

  • Report findings to the Governor and relevant legislative committees by January 1, 2026.

Effective Date: October 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.

Eligibility for Incentive Program: Floating solar energy generating systems are eligible for the Small Solar Energy Generating System Incentive Program.

Property Tax Exemption: Exempts floating solar energy generating systems and systems located on brownfields from property tax.

Certification Requirements: Specifies certification requirements for solar energy generating systems under the program, including location, capacity, and installation dates.

Effective Date: July 1, 2025

• Full Costs and Benefits Analysis of Electricity Sources:

  • Conduct a comprehensive analysis of the costs and benefits of different electricity generation sources in Maryland.

Key Provisions:

• Cost Analysis:

  • Identify costs for ratepayers with different electricity generation mixes: natural gas, nuclear, and offshore wind energy at current capacities.

  • Include additional costs needed to offset reliability issues and intermittency for offshore wind energy.

  • Use the Levelized Full System Cost of Electricity model to analyze the costs for meeting the state's electricity needs from natural gas, nuclear, and offshore wind energy, along with energy storage.

• Policy Recommendations:

  • Provide policy recommendations to support the development of energy sources with the lowest costs and greatest benefits to ratepayers.

Reporting:

• Deadlines:

  • Report findings and recommendations to the Senate Committee on Education, Energy, and the Environment, and the House Economic Matters Committee by December 1, 2026.

Effective Date: October 1, 2025.

• Public Schools - Water Safety and Swimming:

  • Develop and integrate water safety and swimming instructional content into the health and physical education curriculum for public schools.

Key Provisions:

• Instructional Content:

  • County boards of education must develop age-appropriate water safety and swimming instructional content for elementary, middle, and high school students by July 1, 2026.

  • Include opportunities for students with disabilities, if practicable.

  • Implement the content starting in the 2026-2027 school year.

• Access to Swimming Pools:

  • By December 1, 2025, develop a plan to ensure public school students have access to swimming pools and related facilities.

  • Identify strategies to utilize public and private resources, partner with local entities, and increase access while minimizing costs.

  • Submit plans to the State Department of Education and recommend policy or law changes as necessary.

• Reporting:

  • Compile and report plans to the General Assembly by January 1, 2026.

Effective Date: July 1, 2025.

• To establish a Task Force to Develop a Realistic Electricity Plan for Maryland and to impose a moratorium on the construction and expansion of transmission lines during a specific period.

Key Provisions:

1. Task Force Creation:

   • Establishes a Task Force consisting of members from the Senate, House of Delegates, state agencies, utilities, and other stakeholders.

   • The Task Force will study and make recommendations on the State's current and future electricity needs under various scenarios.

2. Task Force Responsibilities:

   • Study realistic forecasts, electricity import estimates, and electricity cost projections for 2026, 2030, 2035, and 2040.

   • Consider policy options and make recommendations for legislation to ensure the State imports no more than 25% of its electricity by 2030, 2035, and 2040.

   • Address the reliability and adequacy of electricity for Maryland ratepayers and businesses through 2040.

   • Examine options like expanding nuclear and renewable energy, prioritizing energy storage facilities, and upgrading transmission systems.

3. Report:

   • The Task Force must report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly by December 31, 2025.

4. Moratorium on Transmission Lines:

   • Prohibits the Public Service Commission from approving the construction or expansion of transmission lines in the State from July 1, 2025, to May 1, 2026.

Effective Date:

• July 1, 2025, with the Act expiring on June 30, 2026.

Key Provisions: Exemptions for Transmission Lines: Excludes portions of the Big Savage Mountain Wildland, Bear Pen Wildland, and Dan's Mountain Wildland from wildland designation if they contain transmission lines parallel to existing lines. Requires the transmission lines to obtain a certificate of public convenience and necessity.

Planning and Approval: The Public Service Commission must hold public hearings and consider various factors, such as stability, reliability, economics, aesthetics, historic sites, aviation safety, and environmental impacts, before granting the certificate.

Intent of the General Assembly: Clarifies that the act does not recommend granting a certificate of public convenience and necessity to any specific proposed transmission line. Effective Date: October 1, 2025.

Key Provisions: Energy Generation Systems: Allows the construction, permitting, and operation of natural gas energy generating systems in the state. Requires compliance with obtaining a certificate of public convenience and necessity or commission approval for construction.

Investor-Owned Electric Companies and Electricity Suppliers: Authorizes these entities to construct, acquire, lease, and operate their own generating and transmission facilities. Repeals the authority of the Public Service Commission to allow investor-owned electric companies to construct, acquire, lease, and operate generating and transmission facilities under certain circumstances.

Development of Nuclear Energy: States the General Assembly's support for the development of additional nuclear energy, including small modular reactors and the combination of nuclear and natural gas energy.

PJM Interconnection: Encourages PJM Interconnection, LLC, to provide an expedited interconnection process for new thermal generation resources in the state. Effective Date: October 1, 2025.

Key Provisions:

Definitions: Defines "grid enhancing technologies" as infrastructure, hardware, or software that increases the capacity, efficiency, reliability, or resilience of a transmission line. Includes high-performance conductors and storage used as transmission within this definition.

Consideration by the Public Service Commission: The Commission must consider the use of grid enhancing technologies as an alternative to constructing new transmission lines. Requires the applicant to comply with relevant agreements with PJM Interconnection, LLC, or its successors, and obligations imposed by the North America Electric Reliability Council and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission related to the ongoing operation and maintenance of the transmission line.

Site Identification: The applicant must identify if the proposed transmission line is to be constructed on an existing brownfields site, property with an existing easement, or a site with existing transmission line support structures. Effective Date: October 1, 2025.

Key Provisions: Clean Energy Procurement Program: Requires the Department of General Services to establish this program in consultation with the Maryland Green Purchasing Committee, the University System of Maryland, and the Maryland Clean Energy Center by January 1, 2026.

Biogas Contract: Mandates the Department to issue a solicitation for a biogas contract. Authorizes the Department to enter into contracts to procure biogas. Requires the Department to collect data and analyze the environmental and economic costs and benefits of using biogas.

Lifecycle Analysis: Requires the University System of Maryland to complete a carbon lifecycle analysis of biogas and report the results.

Reimbursement: The Power Plant Research Program must reimburse the University System of Maryland for costs incurred in completing the lifecycle analysis.

Conditions for Biogas Procurement: Biogas must be competitively priced, of satisfactory quality, and readily available.

Program Termination: The program will terminate on December 31, 2028. Effective Date:

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.

Key provisions include:

- 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.

Key provisions include:

- Exempting specific areas in the Big Savage Mountain Wildland, Bear Pen Wildland, and Dan's Mountain Wildland from being designated as wildland areas, subject to obtaining a certificate of public convenience and necessity for certain transmission lines.

- Ensuring that the proposed transmission lines are subject to a comprehensive review and input process involving the public, local governments, and relevant state units.

- Requiring the Public Service Commission to consider various factors, including the stability and reliability of the electric system, economics, aesthetics, historic sites, aviation safety, and environmental impact, before approving an application for a certificate of public convenience and necessity.

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

Key provisions include:

* 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.

Key provisions include:

- 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.

Key provisions include:

- 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

Key provisions include:

- **Alternative Use**: The Commission must consider alternatives such as using existing transmission lines, existing rights-of-way, reconductoring existing lines, and undergrounding lines.

- **Criteria for Alternatives**: Alternatives must be considered if they are convenient, promote economic and efficient service, maintain preservation areas, or avoid overlap with planned growth or residential areas.

- **No Franchise Requirement**: The Commission does not need to consider whether the company owning the alternative line has a franchise in the service area. The bill aims to promote the use of existing infrastructure and minimize the impact of new transmission lines on communities and the environment.

Key provisions include:

- Prohibiting the exercise of the right of condemnation in connection with the construction of solar energy generating stations.

- Amending existing laws to reflect this prohibition. The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2025.

Key provisions include:

- Allowing the construction, permitting, and operation of energy generating systems that produce energy from natural gas.

- Requiring compliance with existing regulations for obtaining a certificate of public convenience and necessity or commission approval for construction.

- Supporting the development of additional nuclear energy in the state, including small modular reactors and the combination of nuclear energy and natural gas.

- Encouraging PJM Interconnection, LLC to provide an expedited interconnection process for new thermal generation resources. The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2025.

Key provisions include:

- 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.

Key provisions include:

- **Tier 1 Renewable Source**: Nuclear energy from certain reactors, including small modular reactors, is classified as a Tier 1 renewable source.

- **Certified Nuclear Renewable Energy Credit (NREC)**: Establishes a certified NREC for use in meeting renewable energy portfolio standard requirements.

- **Procurement Process**: The Public Service Commission will evaluate and approve applications for nuclear energy generation projects.

- **Assistance for Minority Investors**: The Governor's Office of Small, Minority, and Women Business Affairs will assist potential applicants and minority investors.

- **Community Benefit Agreement**: Projects must promote opportunities for local businesses and ensure the use of skilled labor.

- **Long-Term Pricing Schedule**: Specifies the pricing schedule for nuclear energy projects, with a maximum duration of 30 years.

- **Regulations and Reporting**: The Commission will adopt regulations and report on compliance with minority business enterprise participation goals and community benefit agreements. The bill aims to promote the use of nuclear energy as a renewable source and support economic development in the clean energy sector.

Key provisions include:

- **Greenhouse Gas Emissions**: Achieving a 20% reduction in net direct greenhouse gas emissions from buildings by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2040, to the extent economically practicable.

- **Emissions Reporting**: Requiring building owners to measure and report direct emissions data annually, starting in 2025, to the extent economically practicable.

- **Statewide Emissions Reduction**: Developing plans to reduce statewide greenhouse gas emissions by 60% from 2006 levels by 2031 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2045, to the extent economically practicable.

- **Zero-Emission Vehicles**: Setting goals for zero-emission vehicles in the State vehicle fleet and local school buses, with provisions for economic practicability.

- **Prevailing Wage**: Requiring contractors and subcontractors on certain projects to pay the prevailing wage, offer benefits, and participate in apprenticeship programs, to the extent economically practicable.

- **Building Codes**: Adopting the International Green Construction Code with modifications for economic practicability.

- **Electricity Supply**: Ensuring that at least 75% of the electricity supply for State facilities is derived from no- or low-carbon energy sources by 2030, to the extent economically practicable. The bill aims to balance environmental goals with economic considerations in implementing the Climate Solutions Now Act.

• 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.

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

Purpose:

• 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.

Key provisions include:

- Authorizing counties to adopt local building energy performance standards that are at least as stringent as the standards adopted by the Department of the Environment, if approved by the Department.

- Allowing counties to enforce local building energy performance standards.

- Exempting covered buildings subject to local building energy performance standards from complying with statewide standards. The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2025.

Key provisions include:

- 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.

Key provisions include:

- Prohibiting the Public Service Commission from authorizing and a person from undertaking the construction of an overhead transmission line that does not utilize an existing transmission line right-of-way unless it is demonstrated that existing transmission line rights-of-way are not sufficient.

- Allowing the construction of a new overhead transmission line within 0.25 miles of an existing overhead transmission line if the existing right-of-way is insufficient.

- Maintaining the authority of counties and municipal corporations to approve or deny local permits required under a certificate of public convenience and necessity for generating stations and transmission lines, in accordance with local laws.

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

Key provisions of the bill include:

1. **Fast Track Review Process** - Creates a "fast track pass" system to expedite approval for energy projects supporting data centers.

2. **Data Center Fast Track Advisory Committee** - Establishes a committee within the Public Service Commission to oversee applications, review processes, and awarding of fast track passes.

3. **Tax Exemptions** - Modifies criteria for data center personal property to qualify for sales and use tax exemptions.

4. **Regulatory Oversight** - Grants the State Department of Assessments and Taxation the authority to limit tax exemptions under specified conditions.

5. **Maryland Energy Administration Guidelines** - Directs the Maryland Energy Administration to develop guidelines for implementing the bill's provisions.

If enacted, the bill is scheduled to take effect on October 1, 2025.

Key provisions include:

Regulatory Requirements:

The Public Service Commission (PSC) is mandated to adopt regulations or issue orders by December 31, 2025, to: Implement specific policies for electric system planning. Require consideration of cost-effective demand-side methods and technologies to improve reliability and efficiency, including virtual power plants. Promote the State's policy goals under § 7-802 of this subtitle and achieve targets for the expansion of solar energy, building electrification, electric vehicles, energy storage capacity, and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

Electric Distribution System Plans: The PSC is required to: Require each electric company, every three years, to submit to the Commission for approval an electric distribution system plan that includes specific information and complies with established requirements. Adopt regulations or issue orders adopting metrics to monitor and assess electric distribution system plans. Require electric companies to provide public comment opportunities on their plans. Adopt regulations or issue orders adopting an information-sharing framework to facilitate the exchange of data and information between electric companies and stakeholders.

• Co-Location of Data Centers with Generating Stations:

  • Regulate the construction of generating stations co-located with data centers that are not connected to the electric transmission or distribution system.

Key Provisions:

• Regulations and Policies:

  • Public Service Commission to adopt regulations for constructing generating stations co-located with data centers.

  • Define generating stations as independent resources not subject to state laws related to retail electric customers or electricity suppliers.

  • Exempt generating stations from state-mandated electric distribution system fees and renewable energy portfolio standard obligations.

• Reliability and Cybersecurity:

  • Ensure generating stations include backup electricity sources for reliability.

  • Develop cybersecurity safeguards for generating stations.

  • Require annual reports from generating station owners or operators on energy use, environmental impact, contributions to state energy goals, and compliance with operational standards.

Effective Date: October 1, 2025.

Purpose:

• Authorization of Natural Gas Generating Facilities:

  • Allow the construction, permitting, and operation of natural gas generating facilities in Maryland until a specific renewable energy target is met.

Key Provisions:

• Energy Production Transition:

  • Authorize natural gas facilities until Maryland meets 50% of its energy needs from renewable resources, including nuclear energy.

  • The Maryland Energy Administration will collaborate with facility operators to decrease natural gas energy production as renewable energy use increases.

• Construction and Permitting Requirements:

  • Facilities must obtain a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity or Commission approval.

Effective Date: October 1, 2025

• Investor-Owned Electric Companies:

  • Authorize investor-owned electric companies to construct, acquire, or lease, and operate their own generating and transmission facilities.

Key Provisions:

• Generating Facilities:

  • Allow companies to construct, acquire, or lease, and operate their own generating facilities.

• Transmission Facilities:

  • Permit companies to construct, acquire, or lease, and operate transmission facilities necessary to connect generating facilities to the electric system.

• Repeal Authority:

  • Remove the Public Service Commission's authority to allow such actions under certain circumstances.

Effective Date: October 1, 2025.

• Grid Enhancing Technologies:

  • Incorporate grid enhancing technologies in the construction of overhead transmission lines to increase capacity, efficiency, reliability, or resilience.

Key Provisions:

• Considerations for Public Service Commission:

  • Include the use of grid enhancing technologies as an alternative to constructing new transmission lines.

  • Define "grid enhancing technologies" to include high-performance conductors and storage used as transmission.

• Regulatory Amendments:

  • Update existing laws to incorporate grid enhancing technologies in the requirements for obtaining a certificate of public convenience and necessity for overhead transmission lines.

Effective Date: October 1, 2025.

The task force is charged with:

Assessing Electricity Needs: Evaluating the state's electricity requirements for the years 2026, 2030, 2035, and 2040. Estimating

Electricity Imports: Determining the percentage of electricity Maryland imports from out-of-state sources for the same years.

Evaluating Capacity Market Costs: Calculating the costs associated with electricity purchased through the capacity market that would be included in Maryland ratepayers' monthly bills.

Exploring Policy Options: Considering strategies to ensure that, by 2030, 2035, and 2040, no more than 25% of the state's electricity is imported from out-of-state sources.

Ensuring Reliability and Adequacy: Making recommendations to maintain the reliability and adequacy of the electric system. Additionally, the bill prohibits the Public Service Commission from approving the construction or expansion of transmission lines in Maryland during the task force's study period. The task force is required to submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly by December 31, 2025. The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2025.

• Overhead Transmission Lines - Eminent Domain:

  • Regulate the condemnation process for constructing overhead transmission lines.

Key Provisions:

• Prohibition on Condemnation:

  • Prohibit individuals from using eminent domain to acquire property encumbered by conservation easements for constructing overhead transmission lines.

  • Allow property owners to bring an action for damages if their property value is diminished due to nearby condemnation for transmission line construction.

• Legal and Financial Responsibilities:

  • Require that reasonable attorney fees be awarded to defendants if the assessed value of the property is higher than the value appraised by the condemning authority.

  • Mandate that court costs be charged to the plaintiff in such cases.

Effective Date: October 1, 2025