Energy (Solar)

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 24, 2026

SB 596: Large Load Customers - Electric System Interconnection and Demand Response Program

SB 596 exempts large commercial or industrial electricity customers (defined as those with 25+ MW monthly demand and over 80% load factor) from needing a certificate of public convenience to connect to the grid when using surplus interconnection capacity. It establishes a new interconnection process with standard and expedited timelines, requiring these customers to cover 25% of their power needs through on-site storage, new carbon-free energy sources, or demand response. The bill also mandates a Demand Response Program where large customers can opt for scheduled load reductions during peak times in exchange for compensation, with fees from interconnection requests split between universal service and low-income energy efficiency programs.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates 25% of power from carbon-free sources or demand response, directly advancing renewable energy adoption and reducing fossil fuel reliance for large customers.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates 25% carbon-free energy use for large customers, directly promoting clean energy adoption and reducing emissions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Grid Energy Resilience Solar

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 10, 2026

HB 897: Electricity Transmission and Distribution, Energy Storage, and Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund (Lower Bills and Local Power Act of 2026)

HB 897 (the "Lower Bills and Local Power Act of 2026") requires electric companies operating high-voltage transmission lines (>69,000 volts) in Maryland to join regional transmission organizations. It mandates new application details for certain utility projects, creates a Solar and Energy Storage Market Stabilization Program within the Maryland Energy Administration, and redirects funds from the Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund to provide refunds or credits to residential electricity customers. The bill also requires studies on siting transmission lines and battery storage systems within existing rights-of-way and sets deadlines for the Public Service Commission to review project certificates. These provisions directly affect electric utilities, the Public Service Commission, and residential electricity customers through cost adjustments.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyCreates Solar and Energy Storage Program, redirects funds for residential credits, lowers bills - supports renewables and consumer protection95% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Storage Solar Transmission

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 12, 2026

HB 1040: Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund - Mandated Uses - Climate Change Programs

HB 1040 mandates that Maryland's Strategic Energy Investment Fund allocate at least $365 million annually from fiscal years 2028 through 2032 specifically to climate change programs. This includes $100 million for incentives to replace gas stoves, resistive electric heating, and electric water heaters with energy-efficient alternatives like induction stoves and heat pumps; $50 million for expanding solar energy deployment through community solar and equity programs; and $25 million for electric vehicle infrastructure and zero-emission vehicle incentives. The bill directly affects Maryland residents (through home appliance rebates) and businesses (via solar and EV programs) by funding concrete climate action. These allocations are mandatory, ensuring dedicated state funding for measurable climate impact reduction over the specified period.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates $365M annual allocation from Strategic Energy Fund to climate programs, funding essential initiatives per bill's explicit funding requirements.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates $365M annually for climate programs including $100M for replacing gas appliances with efficient alternatives, $50M for solar expansion, and $25M for electric infrastructure, advancing renewables and energy efficiency.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates $365M annual funding for climate programs including $100M for gas stove replacements with efficient alternatives and $50M for solar expansion, directly promoting clean energy and emissions reduction.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Solar Climate Change

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 12, 2026

HB 1195: Net Energy Metering, SUNRISE Program, and Community Solar Energy Generating Systems Program (SUNRISE Act)

HB 1195 replaces Maryland's net energy metering program with the SUNRISE Program, requiring electric companies to implement it through specific tariffs and establish a Standard Utility Net-export Rate. The bill creates a dedicated capacity block for low- and moderate-income households in the Community Solar Energy Generating Systems Program and mandates automatic capacity reservations for qualifying systems. It requires electric companies to apply bill credits to eligible households and report annual program participation, savings, and expenditures to the legislature. The law directly affects low- and moderate-income households by ensuring their access to community solar benefits and guaranteed bill savings under specific circumstances.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyPromotes community solar access for low-income households via SUNRISE Program, mandates utility credits, and replaces outdated net metering with renewable energy-focused tariffs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Solar

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 16, 2026

SB 801: Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, EmPOWER Energy Efficiency Programs, and Net Energy Metering

SB 801 requires Maryland to withdraw from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) by January 1, 2027, with conditions allowing rejoining if other states join RGGI or Maryland becomes a net electricity exporter. It eliminates the utility surcharge funding EmPOWER energy efficiency programs, shifting cost recovery away from customer bills. The bill also modifies net energy metering rates, altering how customers with solar panels are compensated for excess electricity fed back to the grid. These changes directly affect the state government, utilities, ratepayers, and residential/commercial solar customers. The policy focuses on restructuring energy cost recovery and emissions program participation without endorsing specific environmental outcomes.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyWithdraws from RGGI, defunds EmPOWER efficiency programs, and reduces solar compensation rates - weakens renewable energy support and energy efficiency initiatives.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentWithdraws from RGGI, defunds EmPOWER energy efficiency programs, and alters solar compensation - directly weakening climate and energy conservation efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Solar Climate Change

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died · Maryland · Senate Mar 2, 2026

SB 923: Solar Photovoltaic Modules, Energy Storage, and Zero-Emission Vehicles - Advisory Councils, Checkoff Programs, and Funds

SB 923 creates three new state funds to promote solar photovoltaic modules, energy storage systems, and zero-emission vehicles in Maryland. Each fund will be financed through a fee-based marketing program (a "checkoff" where industry participants pay small contributions) to support statewide promotion efforts. The funds are permanent (nonlapsing) and will retain all interest earnings instead of transferring them to the state general fund. Advisory councils, made up of industry representatives and state officials, will manage the funds and guide marketing initiatives for these technologies.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates permanent funds via industry checkoff fees, establishing dedicated revenue for clean energy programs without general tax impact. Funds retain interest earnings instead of transferring to general fund.85% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill creates permanent state funds financed by industry checkoffs to promote solar, energy storage, and zero-emission vehicles through statewide marketing efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Energy Storage Solar

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passed · Maryland · Senate Apr 13, 2026

SB 841: Utility RELIEF (Reducing Energy Load Inflation for Everyday Families) Act

SB 841 changes how Maryland uses fees paid by utilities to fund renewable energy projects. Instead of direct grants, it requires the Maryland Energy Administration to run annual competitive auctions where developers bid to build renewable energy projects. The bill sets specific targets for project capacity, deadlines for completion, and eligibility rules for bidders, including prioritizing projects benefiting low-income or overburdened communities. It redirects existing compliance fees - previously used for solar grants - into this auction system to accelerate renewable energy development.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRedirects utility compliance fees to fund renewable projects via competitive auctions with capacity targets and prioritizes low-income community benefits, advancing renewable energy infrastructure development.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes competitive auctions for renewable energy projects with capacity targets, prioritizing low-income communities, directly advancing clean energy funding and environmental protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Solar

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 12, 2026

HB 1104: Residential Solar Energy Systems - Local Inspections and Permitting

HB 1104 requires Maryland counties and municipalities to implement specific solar permitting software by August 1, 2027, for residential solar systems, energy storage, and electrical upgrades. The bill mandates that remote inspections (via video or photo) replace in-person checks for these systems, capping remote inspection costs at $100 and requiring completion within standard timelines. It also sets a $200 maximum fee for residential solar permits and prohibits manual permit reviews after software approval. This bill directly affects homeowners installing solar systems and local governments managing permitting processes by standardizing and streamlining the approval workflow.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyStreamlines solar permitting with cost caps and remote inspections, reducing barriers to residential solar adoption - directly advances renewable energy infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentStreamlines solar permitting and caps fees to boost residential solar adoption, directly promoting clean energy deployment and reducing fossil fuel reliance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Storage Solar

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 13, 2026

HB 1476: Public Service Commission - Net Energy Metering - Successor Program

HB 1476 modifies Maryland’s net energy metering program by ending the current standard tariff when total customer-generator capacity reaches 3,000 megawatts or a successor program is implemented. It requires the Public Service Commission to develop and implement a new successor program by December 2026, which must balance incentives for distributed solar/wind generation, minimize costs for utility customers, and ensure fair compensation while considering grid needs and energy equity. The successor program will remain available until combined capacity from both the old and new programs reaches 6,000 megawatts. This bill directly affects residential and commercial solar/wind owners, utilities, and all Maryland ratepayers through changes to how distributed energy is compensated and integrated into the grid.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyContinues renewable energy incentives via successor program requiring balanced solar/wind support, cost minimization, and energy equity while ending current tariff at capacity threshold.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Solar Utility Regulation Wind

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 13, 2026

HB 1525: Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, EmPOWER Energy Efficiency Programs, and Community Solar Energy Generating Systems

HB 1525 would require Maryland to withdraw from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) by January 1, 2027, ending the state's participation in a regional program that sets carbon emission limits for power plants. The bill eliminates a surcharge utilities used to recover costs for energy efficiency programs (EmPOWER), directly affecting how these programs are funded. It also limits the amount of electricity that can be purchased or credited under community solar programs. Maryland could rejoin RGGI if all other PJM Interconnection states become full members or if the state becomes a net electricity exporter.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyWithdraws from RGGI carbon program, eliminates EmPOWER funding surcharge, and limits community solar - directly weakening clean energy infrastructure and efficiency programs.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentWithdraws from RGGI (carbon limits), eliminates EmPOWER funding (energy efficiency), and restricts community solar - directly weakening climate and clean energy initiatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Solar Transmission Climate Change

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