Energy

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community solar access for low-income households via SUNRISE Program, mandates utility credits, and replaces outdated net metering with renewable energy-focused tariffs.95% confidence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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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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died · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 9, 2026

HB 1161: Board of Public Works - Contract Review - Climate and Sustainability Information (BPW Climate Transparency Act)

HB 1161, the BPW Climate Transparency Act, requires Maryland state agencies to provide specific climate and sustainability details when submitting certain contracts (like construction, energy performance, and public-private partnerships) to the Board of Public Works for approval. Agencies must explain how these contracts support greenhouse gas reduction, climate resilience, sustainable practices, and compliance with green building standards. The Department of General Services will issue guidance to help agencies meet these requirements, and the information must be included on the Board's agenda for review. The law takes effect on October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRequires agencies to detail greenhouse gas reduction, climate resilience, and green building standards in energy-related contracts, advancing sustainability in energy infrastructure.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates climate/sustainability details in contracts to advance greenhouse gas reduction, resilience, and green building standards, directly aligning with environmental protection indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change

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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 · Senate Mar 6, 2026

SB 966: Public Service Commission - Net Energy Metering - Successor Program

SB 966 requires Maryland's Public Service Commission to develop a successor program for net energy metering (NEM) when the current program reaches 3,000 megawatts of combined customer-generator capacity. The new program must incentivize distributed renewable energy (like rooftop solar), minimize long-term costs for all ratepayers, and balance fair compensation for energy exported to the grid with grid benefits and energy equity concerns. The Commission must complete this program development by December 2026, including stakeholder input, and submit a report to the legislature. The successor program will operate until total NEM capacity (current + successor) reaches 6,000 megawatts. This directly affects residential and commercial solar/wind system owners (eligible customer-generators) and electric utilities.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRequires successor program for net energy metering to incentivize distributed renewable energy (rooftop solar), minimize costs, and address energy equity - directly advancing renewable adoption.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Solar Utility Regulation

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 10, 2026

SB 590: Study on Greenhouse Gas Emissions Economy-Wide Cap-and-Invest Program (Maryland Climate Crisis Equity Act)

SB 590 requires Maryland's Department of the Environment to study the design and implications of an economy-wide cap-and-invest program to help achieve the state's 2045 net-zero greenhouse gas emissions goal. The study, to be developed with agencies like the Climate Change Commission and Energy Administration, will evaluate key elements including which sectors (like electricity generation) to cover, how to protect low-income households through revenue use (e.g., rebates, weatherization), and how to address equity in overburdened communities. It will also assess program mechanics such as allowance distribution, auction design, and potential use of offset credits, building on Maryland's existing experience with the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. The study aims to provide a foundation for future policy decisions on climate funding and emissions reductions.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill studies cap-and-invest program to achieve 2045 net-zero emissions, targeting electricity sector coverage and low-income protections via revenue use, directly advancing renewable energy transition goals.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires study of cap-and-invest program to achieve 2045 net-zero emissions goal, directly advancing climate action and emissions reduction.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Climate Change

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

HB 1019: School Bus Transition - Propane-Powered School Buses - Grant Program, Fund, and Purchase

HB 1019 creates a grant program and dedicated fund to help Maryland school districts transition from diesel school buses to either propane-powered or zero-emission buses. The program provides grants to cover the extra costs of purchasing or operating these cleaner buses, as well as for infrastructure installation (for zero-emission buses), planning, and pilot programs. Funding comes from state appropriations, interest earnings, donations, and legal settlements specifically earmarked for this purpose. The bill updates existing law to explicitly include propane-powered buses in the transition program, which previously only covered zero-emission vehicles.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates dedicated state appropriations fund for school bus transition grants, increasing public service funding through direct budget allocation90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides grants for cleaner school buses, improving school infrastructure and access through funding for transition costs, aligning with education infrastructure support indicators.85% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyFunds transition to propane/zero-emission school buses, reducing diesel dependence and promoting cleaner energy infrastructure through grants and dedicated funding.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill funds transition to propane/zero-emission school buses, directly reducing diesel emissions and promoting cleaner transportation infrastructure per its grant program.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill funds transition to propane/zero-emission school buses, promoting sustainable transportation infrastructure and cleaner vehicle regulations through dedicated grants and infrastructure support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement School Transportation Electric Vehicles Public Transit

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 16, 2026

SB 771: Human Services - Energy Assistance Programs - Administration and Funding

SB 771 moves the administration of Maryland’s electric universal service program from the Public Service Commission to the Office of Home Energy Programs within the Department of Human Services. This program provides energy assistance to low-income households with annual incomes at or below 200% of the federal poverty level, covering bill assistance, weatherization, and arrearage retirement. The bill also expands the Strategic Energy Investment Fund to include fuel assistance programs and updates related definitions and responsibilities across state code sections. These changes aim to streamline program management under a single agency focused on human services.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyExpands funding and administration of energy assistance programs for low-income households, directly supporting energy access and affordability per indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Utility Regulation

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