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 detailing each recorded vote cast by the electric company and its affiliates at meetings of regional transmission organizations.

• Defining key terms such as "affiliate," "meeting," "recorded vote," and "regional transmission organization."

• Exempting municipal electric utilities from these requirements.

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

- Authorizing the construction, permitting, and operation of energy-generating systems that produce energy from natural gas until the state meets its renewable energy goals.
- Establishing requirements for these systems, including obtaining necessary approvals and using the best available emissions control technologies.
- Prohibiting the construction, permitting, or operation of natural gas energy-generating systems after the state reaches its renewable energy goals.
- Requiring decommissioning or transitioning to renewable energy systems within ten years after the state meets its renewable energy goals.
- Mandating annual reports on progress toward renewable energy goals and the role of natural gas in the state's energy portfolio.

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.
- Maintaining the eligibility of other renewable sources such as solar, wind, qualifying biomass, methane from anaerobic decomposition, geothermal, ocean energy, fuel cells, small hydroelectric power plants, poultry litter-to-energy, 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 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.
- Coordinating the preparation of the analysis and submitting a final report by September 1, 2026.

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

- Authorizing the Attorney General to investigate and prosecute entities contributing to climate change.
- Establishing the Climate Change Restitution Fund to support programs preventing, mitigating, or repairing climate change harms.
- Creating the Climate Change Restitution Fund Advisory Council to provide information on climate change and fund distribution.

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

- Expanding the circumstances under which the Public Service Commission must examine alternatives to constructing a new transmission line.
- Including alternatives such as using an existing transmission line of another company, using an existing right-of-way, reconductoring an existing transmission line, and undergrounding a transmission line.
- Considering the impact on historical, environmental, or agricultural preservation areas, and avoiding overlap with planned growth areas or residential zones.

The act is set to take effect on October 1, 5.

- Requiring electric companies to submit plans for constructing or procuring 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.
- Altering the distribution of sales and use tax revenue and franchise tax revenue attributable to certain data centers.

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

- Altering the required contents of a gas company's infrastructure replacement plan to include descriptions, demonstrations, analyses, and notifications.
- Modifying the required findings of the Public Service Commission when considering the approval of an infrastructure replacement plan.
- Promoting gas infrastructure improvements to ensure safety and consistency with state climate policy.

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

- Renaming the "renewable energy portfolio standard" to "clean energy portfolio standard."
- Altering the definition of "qualified offshore wind project."
- Establishing a process for the Public Service Commission to review and approve nuclear energy generation projects.
- Requiring compliance with the Minority Business Enterprise Program for approved nuclear energy projects.
- Renaming the "Maryland Offshore Wind Business Development Fund" to "Clean Energy Business Development Fund."

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

- Requiring the Public Service Commission to establish targets for electricity production from renewable energy resources located in the state.
- Setting goals for 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 the new commissioners.

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

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

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

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

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

- Establishing a distributed generation certificate of public convenience and necessity (DGCPCN) for certain distributed solar energy generating systems.
- Requiring the Power Plant Research Program to develop and submit proposed siting and design requirements and licensing conditions for distributed solar energy generating systems.
- Prohibiting counties from enacting zoning laws or adopting regulations that restrict or prohibit the construction or operation of certain ground-mounted solar systems.
- Establishing a Small Solar Siting Workgroup to review and recommend best practices and statewide model policies for small solar energy generating systems.

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

House Bill 900, titled "Electricity - Data Centers - Rate Schedule and Requirements," proposes changes to the regulation of electricity rates for data centers in Maryland. 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.

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 remove waste-to-energy and refuse-derived fuel.

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.

Senate Bill 37, 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 detailing each recorded vote cast by the electric company and its affiliates at meetings of regional transmission organizations.
- Ensuring transparency and accountability in the decision-making processes of electric companies.

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

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 to conduct the analysis.
- Assessing potential impacts on natural resources, air and water quality, energy requirements, and economic and fiscal impacts.
- Coordinating the preparation of the analysis and submitting a final report to the Governor and General Assembly by September 1, 2026.

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 constructing or procuring 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.
- Altering the distribution of sales and use tax revenue and franchise tax revenue attributable to certain data centers.

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

- Specifying appropriations for various purposes, including payments to civil divisions of the state, teacher retirement supplemental grants, and miscellaneous grants.
- Detailing appropriations for the General Assembly of Maryland, the Judiciary, and other state departments and agencies.

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

- Assessing cost savings for customers from the retirement of electricity generation facilities.
- Evaluating the impact on reliable energy supply and the environment.
- Examining economic challenges faced by electricity generating companies and potential mitigations.
- Facilitating collaboration among stakeholders.
- Conducting an infrastructure transition analysis.

The task force will report its findings and recommendations by January 1, 2026, and the act will take effect on July 1, 2025, remaining effective until June 30, 2026.

- Renaming the "renewable energy portfolio standard" to "clean energy portfolio standard."
- Altering the definition of "qualified offshore wind project."
- Establishing a process for the Public Service Commission to review and approve nuclear energy generation projects.
- Requiring compliance with the Minority Business Enterprise Program for approved nuclear energy projects.
- Renaming the "Maryland Offshore Wind Business Development Fund" to "Clean Energy Business Development Fund."

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

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

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

- 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.
- Issuing a solicitation for a biogas contract and authorizing the Department to procure biogas.
- Collecting data and analyzing the environmental and economic costs and benefits of replacing fossil natural gas with biogas.
- Conducting a carbon lifecycle analysis of biogas.
- Terminating the program on December 31, 2028.

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.
- 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.

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

The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2025, with a report due by December 1, 2026.

• 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.