Public Utilities - Nuclear Energy - Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard and Procurement (Decarbonization Infrastructure Solutions Act of 2025)

SB 716 adds nuclear energy from licensed reactors to Maryland's renewable energy portfolio standard as a Tier 1 source, requiring electric companies to meet increasing nuclear energy targets: at least 4% by 2026, rising to 16% by 2029 and 20% by 2030. The bill creates a "certified nuclear renewable energy credit" for compliance and establishes a procurement process for the Public Service Commission to review nuclear projects. It mandates electric companies to purchase nuclear energy from a dedicated escrow account and requires new nuclear projects to sell energy into markets while distributing proceeds per specific rules. This directly affects Maryland's electric utilities, nuclear energy developers, and the state's decarbonization goals under the 2025 "Decarbonization Infrastructure Solutions Act."