Energy

signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 553: Commission to Advance Lithium-Ion Battery Safety in Maryland - Reestablishment

SB 553 reestablishes the Commission to Advance Lithium-Ion Battery Safety in Maryland with updated membership and a focus on safety improvements. The commission, composed of representatives from environmental agencies, fire departments, battery manufacturers, recycling groups, insurance companies, and transportation stakeholders, will study and recommend solutions for preventing lithium-ion battery fires in consumer products, transportation, and utility settings. Key areas include safety standards for recycling facilities, battery reuse practices, and the impact of battery risks on insurance coverage. The commission must submit an interim report by December 1, 2026, to inform future policy decisions. This bill creates a study group to guide safety improvements without enacting immediate regulatory changes.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill establishes commission to improve lithium-ion battery safety in utility/transportation settings, enabling safer deployment of clean energy storage and EV infrastructure.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Storage

signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 625: Carbon Dioxide Capture, Removal, and Sequestration Projects - Regulations and Standards for Biochar and Wood Vault Technologies

SB 625 requires Maryland's Department of the Environment to adopt regulations by January 1, 2028, for permitting carbon removal technologies and practices certified by an internationally recognized third party. It also mandates that all state agencies use available funding to support carbon removal projects using these certified technologies. The bill directly affects the Department of the Environment (which must create the regulations) and state agencies (which must redirect funding toward qualifying projects). This legislation establishes a framework for integrating carbon removal into state environmental and funding policies.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates state funding for certified carbon removal projects, advancing clean energy infrastructure and reducing emissions per bill's funding allocation and regulatory requirements.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates regulations and state funding for certified carbon removal technologies, directly reducing emissions and advancing climate goals.95% confidence

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

HB 1199: Study on Greenhouse Gas Emissions Economy-Wide Cap-and-Invest Program (Maryland Climate Crisis Equity Act)

HB 1199 requires Maryland's Department of the Environment to study how an economy-wide cap-and-invest program could help the state meet its 2045 net-zero emissions goal. The study, to be done with agencies like the Climate Change Commission and Energy Administration, must evaluate program design elements - including covered sectors, allowance distribution, and equity considerations - and explore revenue uses for climate initiatives. It specifically examines how to minimize burdens on businesses, protect trade-exposed industries, and allocate funds for low-income household energy assistance, clean transportation, and ecosystem resilience. The bill does not implement the program but mandates a detailed analysis based on Maryland's existing climate plan and lessons from jurisdictions like California and Quebec.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill studies cap-and-invest program to meet 2045 net-zero goal, evaluating design for emissions reduction and climate initiative funding, directly advancing renewable energy transition.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires study of cap-and-invest program to achieve 2045 net-zero emissions, directly advancing climate action through emissions reduction evaluation and revenue allocation for climate initiatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 10, 2026

SB 622: Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund - Required Uses - Building Electrification and Transportation Electrification

SB 622 requires the Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund to provide loans and grants specifically for building electrification (replacing gas appliances with electric ones) and transportation electrification (such as electric vehicle infrastructure). This policy change directly affects Maryland residents, businesses, and local governments seeking funding to switch to electric systems. The bill amends existing law to mandate these uses of the fund, redirecting resources from previous allocations. It becomes effective October 1, 2026, without creating new programs but altering how existing funds are distributed.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects existing fund resources to electrification projects, directing state budget toward specific infrastructure spending as mandated use of the Strategic Energy Investment Fund.85% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates fund allocation for building/transportation electrification, replacing fossil fuel dependence with electric systems, directly advancing renewable energy infrastructure and reducing carbon emissions.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates fund allocation for building/transportation electrification, reducing fossil fuel dependence and emissions, directly advancing environmental protection goals.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill mandates fund allocation for transportation electrification (e.g., EV infrastructure), directly funding sustainable transportation projects per summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Electric Vehicles

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 16, 2026

SB 850: Electric and Gas Companies - Energy Efficiency, Conservation, and Demand Response Programs - Alterations (Utility Affordability and Ratepayer Protection Act of 2026)

SB 850 requires Maryland electric and gas companies (including midsize cooperatives after 2026) to design energy efficiency, conservation, and demand response programs that demonstrably lower residential customer bills. It mandates the Public Service Commission to establish caps on certain assessments and set deadlines for eliminating unpaid utility costs. The law ensures programs must include measurable bill savings for households, not just energy reductions, and requires annual reports tracking energy savings and emissions reductions from these programs. This directly affects all residential utility customers in Maryland by linking program requirements to tangible cost savings.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates utility programs to lower residential bills, providing direct financial relief to households and promoting fiscal responsibility through measurable savings.85% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRequires utilities to design energy efficiency programs with measurable bill savings for households, mandates ratepayer protections, and focuses on lowering residential energy costs through conservation programs.92% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates energy efficiency and conservation programs for utilities, directly promoting resource conservation and reduced energy consumption, aligning with environmental protection goals.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingSB 850 mandates programs that demonstrably lower residential utility bills, directly reducing housing costs for households and advancing affordable housing affordability.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Government Spending Energy Efficiency Utility Regulation Conservation

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

HB 1607: Community Solar Energy Generating Systems - Prohibited Locations - Adjacent Parcels

HB 1607 removes a restriction preventing community solar projects from being placed on adjacent parcels if their combined capacity exceeded 5 megawatts. It allows such projects on adjacent land if the total capacity stays under 10 megawatts, provided at least 75% of the energy serves low- or moderate-income subscribers, or the site uses agrivoltaics (combining solar with agriculture). This directly affects community solar developers and property owners seeking to expand solar installations on connected properties. The bill maintains existing exceptions (like rooftop or industrial sites) while adding new conditions to support equitable access for underserved communities.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRemoves capacity restrictions for community solar, expands access for low-income subscribers and agrivoltaics, directly advancing renewable energy development.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRemoves barrier to community solar expansion, enabling clean energy projects with environmental benefits (agrivoltaics, low-income access) under 10MW cap90% confidence

Sub-Topics Solar

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 10, 2026

SB 706: Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard - Alterations

SB 706 reduces Maryland's mandatory renewable energy targets for electricity suppliers. It lowers the required percentage of Tier 1 renewable sources (like solar, offshore wind, and geothermal) from previous levels to 26% in 2027 (down from 41.5%), 27.5% in 2028 (from 43%), 34% in 2029 (from 49.5%), and 34.5% in 2030+ (from 50%). The bill also maintains a 2.5% requirement for Tier 2 renewable sources each year. These changes directly affect electricity suppliers who must meet these annual renewable energy quotas for retail electricity sales in Maryland. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026, applying to compliance years after December 31, 2026.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill lowers mandatory renewable energy targets (e.g., 41.5%→26% by 2027), weakening clean energy standards per its summary.92% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill reduces mandatory renewable energy targets (e.g., 41.5% → 26% for Tier 1 by 2027), directly weakening clean energy requirements for electricity suppliers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Solar Wind

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signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 12, 2026

HB 451: Maryland Zero Emission Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Council - Membership, Duties, and Sunset Repeal

HB 451 extends the reporting deadlines and lifespan of Maryland's Zero Emission Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Council. It modifies the schedule for the Council's interim reports (now due December 1 annually through 2031, instead of 2024-2025) and moves the final report deadline to June 30, 2031 (from June 30, 2026). The bill also extends the Council's termination date from June 30, 2026 to June 30, 2031, keeping it active for five additional years. This procedural change directly affects the Council's operational timeline but does not alter the Council's purpose or policy recommendations.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyExtends Maryland's Zero Emission EV Infrastructure Council through 2031, maintaining focus on advancing EV infrastructure and renewable energy transition.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationExtends Council's work on zero-emission EV infrastructure, enabling continued development of sustainable transportation infrastructure beyond original timeline.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Electric Vehicles

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 28, 2026

HB 517: Emission Standards, Ambient Air Quality Standards, and Solid Waste Management - Local Authority

HB 517 clarifies that counties and cities in Maryland can adopt stricter local emission standards or air quality rules than state or federal levels, provided their standards are equally or more stringent. It also confirms local governments retain authority to regulate solid waste management systems without being limited by certain state provisions. The bill requires the Department of the Environment to publish clear information about this local authority on its website by October 1, 2026. This law directly affects local governments seeking to implement more protective environmental regulations within their jurisdictions. It does not change existing state standards but removes ambiguity about local regulatory power.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill enables local stricter emission standards, aligning with cleaner energy policies by promoting reduced emissions from energy production and infrastructure.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEnables stricter local emission/air quality standards beyond state/federal levels, strengthening environmental protections and confirming local waste management authority.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAllows stricter local vehicle emission standards, advancing sustainable transportation policies under vehicle regulations.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality Waste Management

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 23, 2026

HB 723: Electric Companies - Cost Containment Plans - Requirement (Securing Affordable, Valuable Investments in Next Generation Grid Solutions (SAVINGS) Act)

HB 723 requires Maryland electric companies to submit cost containment plans to the Public Service Commission by January 1, 2027, and every three years thereafter. These plans must detail strategies to reduce peak electricity demand through specific mechanisms, including "nonwires solutions" (like distributed energy resources and grid-enhancing technologies), demand flexibility programs, and grid flexibility-enabled building electrification. The bill mandates that plans avoid or minimize capital spending on infrastructure while improving system reliability and efficiency. This directly affects all electric distribution and transmission companies operating in Maryland.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates cost containment plans using distributed energy resources, grid-enhancing tech, and demand flexibility to reduce peak demand, directly advancing renewable integration and grid efficiency per bill language.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates nonwires solutions (distributed energy, grid tech) and building electrification, reducing emissions and advancing clean energy transition.80% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires electric companies to use grid-enhancing technologies and distributed energy resources in cost containment plans, directly advancing energy technology solutions per bill language.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Grid Utility Regulation

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