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Climate Change and the 2024 Session

 

Top Priority Bills

HB 864 - Reform EmPOWER - PASSED

  • Since 2008, the EmPOWER program, Maryland's home energy efficiency program run by the utilities and DHCD, has saved ratepayers more than $4 billion on energy bills and reduced Maryland’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by the equivalent of 9.6 million metric tons of carbon dioxide. Through incentives and rebates for home energy audits, weatherization, and efficient appliances, EmPOWER reduces energy consumption, lowering utility bills while minimizing peak demand.

  • To date, however, the program has not adequately worked to reduce harmful GHG emissions and has not delivered for low-income Marylanders. In 2022 the legislature passed a bill to set clear goals for DHCD on the low income program. It’s critical that the legislature make adjustments to EmPOWER in 2024 to set clear GHG reduction goals, enable incentives for switching to electric heating and appliances, and enact consumer guardrails that direct utilities to deliver savings to ratepayers through in-home improvements.

  • EmPOWER Maryland’s primary goal is to conserve energy through in-home energy efficiency improvements through incentives and rebates for energy audits, weatherization, and efficient appliances. The utilities can also meet their goals through behavior change strategies and use of front-of-meter technologies (i.e., grid efficiency).

HB 24/SB 96 - Climate and Environmental Equity Act

  • Through lack of historic oversight on preventing the aggregation of polluting industries and facilities in specific places, MD natural habitats and underserved populations are overexposed to pollution. 

  • This legislation will give the Maryland Department of the Environment the authority to approve, alter, or deny a permit based on an EJ score, and assessment of other permits and the underlying sociodemographic characteristics of the community. HB 1200 that passed in 2022 required an EJ score be included in the applications for section 1-601 permits. The Climate & Environmental Equity Act builds on this requirement to grant MDE authority to take action based on this information.

 

HB 516Climate Change and Environmental Justice Act

  • The CCEJ establishes two types of fossil fuel fees charged to polluters such as oil companies, that include a polluter pays, no-pass through provision:

    • Non-transportation Fuel Fee (building heat) starting at $30/ton CO2, ⁃ increases $5/ton per year, and is capped at $75/ton until the target is met; and

    • Transportation Fuel Fee (gas) starting at $25/ton CO2, increases $3/ton per year, and is capped at $52/ton until the target is met.

  • The CCEJ shall include policies to mitigate inequities that could arise from the implementation of the fee. Two funds will be created with the revenue generated from the greenhouse gas pollution fees collected:

    • the Household and Employer Benefit Fund that will direct 50% of the revenue to protect low- and moderate-income households (LMI) and energy-intensive trade-exposed employers in the State from financial harm because of this policy; and

    • the Climate Crisis Infrastructure Fund that shall invest 50% of the fund in projects that are directly located within and provide meaningful benefits to environmental justice communities. This fund will also provide technical assistance, capacity, and planning tools to county and municipal governments to develop local Climate Action Plans and investment proposals. Due consideration shall be given to counties and municipalities containing environmental justice populations.

Other Priority Bills 

HB 1438 / SB 958 - Responding to Emergency Needs from Extreme Weather (RENEW) Act 

The RENEW Act provides $900,000 million a year in new funding for Maryland to be used for both climate adaptation and mitigation 40% of the money is required to be invested into overburdened communities, with specific funding allocations for programs closing public health disparities, low income energy bill assistance, and low income energy efficiency program. The RENEW Act would also provide funding for the currently unfunded Commission on Environmental Justice and Sustainable Communities

  • The funding will all come from a one time assessment on the 40 largest international fossil fuels companies. This cost cannot be passed on, and this is not a price on carbon. A price on carbon would affect all companies and would be proportional to sales. 

HB 397/SB 570 Public Utilities – Thermal Energy Network Systems – Authorization and Establishment (Working for Accessible Renewable Maryland Thermal Heat (WARMTH) Act) - PASSED

This legislation would require each gas company to develop a plan for a pilot Thermal Energy Network System (TENS) in disadvantaged communities. TENS provides efficient, affordable, and reliable clean energy heating and cooling to entire neighborhoods through a shared network of water pipes that transfer heat in and out of buildings. These distributed energy heating and cooling systems are one of the most promising climate solutions available to ensure a safe, equitable, and just transition away from fossil fuels in buildings.

SB 1023 / HB 1279Maryland Building Performance Standards – Fossil Fuel Use, Energy Conservation, and Electric– and Solar–Ready Standards (Better Buildings Act of 2024)

  • This bill would require all new homes and buildings in the state to be built to produce zero scope 1 greenhouse gas emissions – basically all-electric. This was a provision in the Climate Solutions Now Act that was dropped out in the Senate bill in favor of a grid capacity study, which will be complete in December and is largely positive. Requiring electric or other zero-emissions construction is a critical step in meeting Maryland’s greenhouse gas targets. This effort expands on the possibility of MDE enacting regulations to set a high bar for appliance fuel emissions standards, as regs would not cover non-vented appliances.

 

HB 1435 / SB 783 - Solar Siting and Incentives (Brighter Tomorrow Act) - PASSED

  • Maryland has committed to significant advancement in solar development through both the broad emissions reduction goals of the Climate Solutions Now Act, as well as the specific carve-outs for solar energy (14.5%) in the 2019 Clean Energy Jobs Act. The state is nowhere close to achieving those goals. The twin challenges that have impeded progress include financial challenges and market instability of solar development, especially in the rooftop solar industry, as well as concerns about siting for the projects, especially on agricultural lands.

  • The policy recommendations to address this issue comes in two parts. which work in tandem and in concert.

    • Supporting recommendations from the Solar Incentives Task Force which will provide a holistic package of incentives for solar deployment that aims to make solar projects on already developed lands (including parking lots, rooftops, brownfields, etc.) more affordable, in order to reduce the pressure of development on openspace and agricultural lands.

    • In order to meet our solar carve-out, we will need to have development on agricultural lands, as well as already developed property, however working with open space, water, and agricultural advocates, as well as the Maryland Association of Counties and solar developers, this proposal will mandate that all counties identify a percentage of their lands that are appropriate for solar development of projects at least 5mwh,

 

HB 1101 / SB 653 - Standing - Environmental and Natural Resources Protection Proceedings (Clean Water Justice Act of 2024) - PASSED

Community Environmental Protection Act of 2024

This bill would address two legal deficiencies that hinder access to environmental justice in Maryland: 

  • Maryland’s environmental laws do not provide a cause of action allowing a concerned Marylander to sue in state court for a violation of our state laws. 

  • Even if a public enforcement right were to be created by statute, Maryland’s common law standards governing who has standing to sue (can demonstrate harm) in state court is substantially more stringent than the federal standing doctrine one.

 

For more information, please contact Climate Change Issue Lead Phil Webster at ClimateChange@uulmmd.org.

Subject
Bill Number
XFile Bill Number
Title
Sponsor
Status
Current Location
Priority
Position
Action
Synopsis
Climate Crisis and Environmental Justice
HB0516
Climate Crisis and Environmental Justice Act of 2024
Delegate Fennell
Failed-no vote in original committee
Economic Matters
x
Support
Establishing the Climate Crisis Initiative in the Department of the Environment to provide for the assessment of greenhouse gas pollution fees, the provision of certain benefits to households and employers, and the funding of certain climate-related activities; providing for the collection and use of certain greenhouse gas pollution fees; establishing the Household and Employer Benefit Fund and the Climate Crisis Infrastructure Fund as special, nonlapsing funds; etc.
Better Buildings Act-Standards
HB1279
SB1023
Maryland Building Performance Standards - Fossil Fuel Use, Energy Conservation, and Electric- and Solar-Ready Standards (Better Buildings Act of 2024)
Delegate Boafo
Failed-no vote in original committee
Environment and Transportation
x
Support
Requiring the Maryland Department of Labor to adopt, on or before certain dates and as part of the Maryland Building Performance Standards, a requirement that new buildings and significant improvements of buildings and structures meet all water and space heating demands of the building or structure without the use of fossil fuels, meet energy conservation requirements, and meet an electric- and solar-ready standard for certain buildings; etc.
Better Buildings Act-Standards
SB1023
HB1279
Maryland Building Performance Standards – Fossil Fuel Use, Energy Conservation, and Electric– and Solar–Ready Standards (Better Buildings Act of 2024)
Senator Brooks
Failed-no vote in original committee
Education, Energy, and the Environment
x
Support
Requiring the Maryland Department of Labor to adopt, on or before certain dates and as part of the Maryland Building Performance Standards, a requirement that new buildings meet all water and space heating demands of the building without the use of fossil fuels, energy conservation requirements, and an electric- and solar-ready standard for certain buildings; etc.
Ratepayer Protection Act
HB0731
SB0548
Natural Gas - Strategic Infrastructure Development and Enhancement (Ratepayer Protection Act)
Delegate Embry
Unfavorable Report by Economic Matters
x
Support
Altering the required contents of a certain plan that a gas company may file with the Public Service Commission for proposed eligible infrastructure replacement projects to include certain descriptions, demonstrations, analyses, and notifications; and altering the required findings of the Commission in considering whether to approve a certain infrastructure replacement plan.
Ratepayer Protection Act
SB0548
HB0731
Natural Gas - Strategic Infrastructure Development and Enhancement (Ratepayer Protection Act)
Senator Sydnor
Failed-no vote in original committee
Education, Energy, and the Environment
x
Support
Altering the required contents of a certain plan that a gas company may file with the Public Service Commission for proposed eligible infrastructure replacement projects to include certain descriptions, demonstrations, analyses, and notifications; and altering the required findings of the Commission in considering whether to approve a certain infrastructure replacement plan.
Solar Energy Generating Incentives
SB0783
HB1435
Public Utilities - Solar Energy Systems and Programs, Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund, and Prevailing Wage (Brighter Tomorrow Act)
Senator Elfreth
Passed Enrolled
Governor
x
Support
Requiring that certain home improvement contracts for the installation of a solar energy generating system on the roof of a building include the installation of a certain wildlife barrier under certain circumstances; altering the maximum generating capacity authorized for certain net metered generating facilities; authorizing an eligible customer-generator participating in certain meter aggregation to receive excess generation from more than one generating system; altering the expiration date of renewable energy credits; etc.
Solar Energy Generating Incentives
HB1435
SB0783
Renewable Energy - Net Energy Metering Aggregation, Solar Renewable Energy Credits, and Taxes on Solar Energy Generating Systems (Brighter Tomorrow Act)
Delegate Fraser-Hidalgo
Failed-no vote in original committee
Economic Matters
x
Support
Altering the maximum generating capacity authorized for certain net metered generating facilities; authorizing an eligible customer-generator participating in certain meter aggregation to receive excess generation from more than one generating system; requiring the Public Service Commission to establish a Small Solar Energy Generating System Incentive Program; providing that solar energy generating systems that receive a certain certification by the Commission are eligible to receive additional solar renewable energy credits; etc.
Extreme Weather Emergencies (RENEW)
HB1438
SB0958
Responding to Emergency Needs From Extreme Weather (RENEW) Act of 2024
Delegate Fraser-Hidalgo
Failed-no vote in original committee
Economic Matters
x
Support
Establishing the Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Payment Program in the Department of the Environment to secure payments from certain businesses that extract fossil fuels or refine petroleum products in order to provide a source of revenue for State efforts to adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change and to address the health impacts of climate change on vulnerable populations; establishing the Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Fund to support efforts to mitigate climate change; etc.
Extreme Weather Emergencies (RENEW)
SB0958
HB1438
Responding to Emergency Needs From Extreme Weather (RENEW) Act of 2024
Senator Hester
Failed-no vote in original committee
Education, Energy, and the Environment
x
Support
Establishing the Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Payment Program in the Department of the Environment to secure payments from certain businesses that extract fossil fuels or refine petroleum products in order to provide a source of revenue for State efforts to adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change and to address the health impacts of climate change on vulnerable populations; establishing the Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Fund to support efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change; etc.
Climate & Environmental Equity Act
HB0024
SB0096
Department of the Environment - Environmental Justice Evaluation of Environmental Permit Applications
Delegate Boyce
Failed-no vote in opposite committee
Education, Energy, and the Environment
X
Support
Requiring the Department of the Environment to perform a certain environmental justice evaluation of certain environmental permit applications under certain circumstances; authorizing the Department to take certain actions on certain environmental permit applications based on certain findings to address environmental concerns; requiring the Department to maintain a publicly accessible website, part of a website, or application that identifies pending permit applications with specific census tracts; etc.
EmPOWER Reform
HB0864
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Plans
Delegate Crosby
Passed Enrolled
Governor
X
Support
Requiring each electric company, each gas company, and the Department of Housing and Community Development to develop a plan for achieving certain energy efficiency, conservation, and greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets through certain programs and services and superseding certain existing energy efficiency and conservation goals; requiring the Public Service Commission to establish a working group to study and make recommendations on extending certain program assistance to certain moderate-income households; etc.
Climate & Environmental Equity Act
SB0096
HB0024
Environment - Impact of Environmental Permits and State Agency Actions
Senator Jackson
Failed-no vote in original committee
Education, Energy, and the Environment
X
Support
Requiring the Department of the Environment to conduct a climate and environmental equity evaluation regarding the impact of issuing an approval for certain environmental permits; requiring the Department to provide opportunities for residents of the State to opt in to text, phone, e-mail, or regular mail notifications regarding any facility with a pending or final permit approval in or adjacent to the resident's census tract; altering certain reporting requirements for certain State agencies; etc.
Thermal Energy Pilot Programs
SB0570
HB0397
Public Utilities - Thermal Energy Network Systems - Authorization and Establishment (Working for Accessible Renewable Maryland Thermal Heat (WARMTH) Act)
Senator Hester
Returned Passed
Governor
X
Support
Requiring certain gas companies and authorizing certain gas companies to develop a plan for a pilot thermal energy network system or systems by October 1, 2024; requiring a gas company that serves at least 75,000 customers in its distribution territory to submit either one or two proposals for a pilot system to the Public Service Commission for approval by July 1, 2025; authorizing a municipal corporation, county, or community organization to submit neighborhoods to gas companies for consideration as part of a pilot system; etc.
Thermal Energy Pilot Programs
HB0397
SB0570
Public Utilities – Thermal Energy Network Systems – Authorization and Establishment (Working for Accessible Renewable Maryland Thermal Heat (WARMTH) Act)
Delegate Charkoudian
Passed Enrolled
Governor
X
Support
Requiring gas companies serving at least 75,000 customers in their distribution territories and authorizing gas companies serving fewer than 75,000 customers to develop a plan for a pilot thermal energy network system or systems on or before October 1, 2024; requiring certain gas companies to submit a certain proposal or proposals to the Public Service Commission for approval on or before July 1, 2025; authorizing certain entities or a community organization to submit neighborhoods for consideration as part of a pilot system; etc.
Clean Water Justice
HB1101
SB0653
Standing - Environmental and Natural Resources Protection Proceedings (Clean Water Justice Act of 2024)
Delegate Love
Passed Enrolled
Governor
X
Support
Providing certain persons standing in environmental and natural resources protection proceedings; authorizing persons that meet standing requirements to bring certain civil actions under certain circumstances; requiring a plaintiff, under certain circumstances, to give certain notice and provide certain documentation to the Department of the Environment and the Attorney General and to file a certain affidavit; authorizing a court to grant certain relief, award certain costs, and impose certain civil penalties; etc.
Clean Water Justice
SB0653
HB1101
Standing - Environmental and Natural Resources Protection Proceedings (Clean Water Justice Act of 2024)
Senator Augustine
Returned Passed
Governor
X
Support
Providing certain persons standing in certain environmental and natural resources protection proceedings; authorizing persons that meet certain standing requirements to bring certain civil actions under certain circumstances; requiring a plaintiff, under certain circumstances, to give certain notice and provide certain documentation to the Department of the Environment and the Attorney General in a certain manner and to file a certain affidavit; etc.
Battery Storage and Solar Arrays Safety
HB1221
SB0788
Battery Storage and Solar Arrays Safety Training Grant Program and Fund
Delegate Jacobs
Failed-no vote in original committee
Environment and Transportation
Establishing the Battery Storage and Solar Arrays Safety Training Grant Program in the Maryland Energy Administration to provide grants to the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute to train local fire departments on certain safety aspects associated with lithium-ion battery storage systems installed with solar arrays; requiring the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute to consult with certain entities in determining how to meet the purpose of the Program with the grants awarded under the Program; etc.
Battery Storage and Solar Arrays Safety
SB0788
HB1221
Battery Storage and Solar Arrays Safety Training Grant Program and Fund
Senator McKay
Failed-no vote in original committee
Budget and Taxation
Establishing the Battery Storage and Solar Arrays Safety Training Grant Program in the Maryland Energy Administration to provide grants to the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute to train local fire departments on certain safety aspects associated with lithium-ion battery storage systems installed with solar arrays; requiring the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute to consult with certain entities in determining how to meet the purpose of the Program with the grants awarded under the Program; etc.
Building Code - EV Parking Spaces
HB0889
SB0695
Building Code - Construction and Significant Renovation of Housing Units - Electric Vehicle Parking Spaces
Delegate Terrasa
Failed-no vote in original committee
Environment and Transportation
Requiring the construction of new multifamily residential buildings with separate garages, carports, or driveways for each residential unit to include certain parking spaces for electric vehicle charging; requiring certain significant renovations of housing units with separate garages, carports, or driveways for each residential unit to include certain parking spaces for electric vehicle recharging; etc.
Building Code - EV Parking Spaces
SB0695
HB0889
Building Code - Construction and Significant Renovation of Housing Units - Electric Vehicle Parking Spaces
Senator Feldman
Failed-no vote in original committee
Education, Energy, and the Environment
Requiring the construction of new multifamily residential buildings with separate garages, carports, or driveways for each residential unit to include certain parking spaces for electric vehicle charging; requiring certain significant renovations of housing units with separate garages, carports, or driveways for each residential unit to include certain parking spaces for electric vehicle recharging; etc.
Critical Infrastructure Streamlining
SB0474
HB0579
Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity and Related Approvals - Definition of Generating Station (Critical Infrastructure Streamlining Act of 2024)
President
Passed Enrolled
Governor
Altering and establishing the definition of 'generating station' for the purpose of exempting the construction of certain generating facilities used to produce electricity for the purpose of onsite emergency backup and certain test and maintenance operations from the requirement to obtain a certificate of public convenience and necessity or certain other related approvals under certain circumstances.
Critical Infrastructure Streamlining
HB0579
SB0474
Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity and Related Approvals – Definition of Generating Station (Critical Infrastructure Streamlining Act of 2024)
Speaker
Failed-no vote in original committee
Economic Matters
Altering and establishing the definition of 'generating station' for the purpose of exempting the construction of certain generating facilities used to produce electricity for the purpose of onsite emergency backup and certain test and maintenance operations from the requirement to obtain a certificate of public convenience and necessity or certain other related approvals under certain circumstances.
Critical Areas - Equity
SB0306
HB0233
Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Critical Area Protection Program - Climate, Equity, and Administrative Provisions
Chair, Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee
Failed-no vote in original committee
Education, Energy, and the Environment
Support
Authorizing the Critical Area Commission to adopt regulations governing the transfer of development rights, fee in lieu payments, the assessment of and adaption to climate change relevant to the critical area, enhancing resilience in the critical area, and environmental justice and equity initiatives; establishing certain considerations of climate change, resiliency, and equity as general principles and minimum elements of local programs; etc.
Critical Areas - Equity
HB0233
SB0306
Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Critical Area Protection Program – Climate, Equity, and Administrative Provisions
Chair, Environment and Transportation Committee
Passed Enrolled
Governor
Support
Authorizing the Critical Area Commission to adopt regulations governing the transfer of development rights, fee in lieu payments, the assessment of and adaption to climate change relevant to the critical area, enhancing resilience in the critical area, and environmental justice and equity initiatives; establishing certain considerations of climate change, resiliency, and equity as general principles and minimum elements of local programs; etc.
EV Recharging Equipment
HB0159
SB0465
Common Ownership Communities - Electric Vehicle Recharging Equipment (Electric Vehicle Recharging Equipment Act of 2024)
Delegate Korman
Passed Enrolled
Governor
Altering certain requirements for procedures relating to electric vehicle recharging equipment; establishing requirements and procedures relating to an application to the governing body of a cooperative housing corporation to install or use electric vehicle recharging equipment; and requiring the Department of Housing and Community Development to publish information on its common ownership community website regarding requirements, contractor information, certain points of contact, and resources on dispute resolutions.
EV Recharging Equipment
SB0465
HB0159
Common Ownership Communities - Electric Vehicle Recharging Equipment (Electric Vehicle Recharging Equipment Act of 2024)
Senator Kelly
Returned Passed
Governor
Altering certain requirements for procedures relating to electric vehicle recharging equipment; establishing requirements and procedures relating to an application to the governing body of a cooperative housing corporation to install or use electric vehicle recharging equipment; and requiring the Department of Housing and Community Development to publish information on its common ownership community website regarding certain requirements, contractor and insurer information, points of contact, and dispute resolution resources.
Tier 1 Renewable Sources by County
HB1407
County Tier 1 Renewable Sources – Generating Systems, Capacity, and Generation – Prohibition, Studies, and Plans
Delegate Wilson
Failed-no vote in original committee
Economic Matters
Prohibiting counties from establishing zoning laws or other regulations that restrict or prohibit the construction or operation of Tier 1 renewable source generating systems or facilities; requiring the Public Service Commission to study the electricity demand in each county and determine the amount of capacity of, and energy generation from, Tier 1 renewable sources needed in each county for the State to meet certain renewable energy portfolio standard requirements; etc.
State Buildings
HB0130
SB0258
Department of General Services - State Buildings and Facilities - Energy Conservation and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions
Chair, Environment and Transportation Committee
Failed-not assigned to opposite standing committee
Rules
Altering the State's goals for reducing energy consumption in State buildings; requiring the Maryland Green Building Council to update the High Performance Green Building Program to ensure that the Program aligns with certain greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals; requiring the Department of General Services to identify State-owned facilities that are potential candidates for energy performance contracts; etc.
State Buildings
SB0258
HB0130
Department of General Services - State Buildings and Facilities - Energy Conservation and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions
Chair, Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee
Returned Passed
Governor
Altering the State's goals for reducing energy consumption in State buildings; requiring the Maryland Green Building Council to update the High Performance Green Building Program to ensure that the Program aligns with certain greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals; requiring the Department of General Services to identify State-owned facilities that are potential candidates for energy performance contracts; etc.
Cap-and-Invest Program
HB1272
Department of the Environment - Cap-and-Invest Program - Establishment
Delegate Stein
Failed-no vote in original committee
Economic Matters
Requiring the Department of the Environment, in collaboration with the Maryland Commission on Climate Change, to develop a cap-and-invest program that reduces climate-altering emissions in the State on or before December 31, 2024.
EV tax credits & rebates
HB0689
Electric Vehicles – Repeal of Excise Tax Credit and Establishment of Rebate Program
Delegate Fraser-Hidalgo
Failed-different versions passed each chamber
Senate Floor
Repealing the electric vehicle excise tax credit; establishing the Electric Vehicle Rebate Program; requiring the Motor Vehicle Administration to establish a website to administer the rebate program; requiring a participating dealer to provide a rebate to an eligible buyer at the time the buyer purchases an eligible vehicle; requiring the Administration to reimburse a dealer for rebates provided by the dealer; providing that the 'total purchase price' of the vehicle may not be reduced by the amount of the rebate; etc.
Offshore Wind-revised evaluation
HB1296
SB1161
Electricity - Offshore Wind Projects - Alterations
Delegate Wilson
Passed Enrolled
Governor
Requiring the Public Service Commission on June 1, 2024, to open a revised Round 2 proceeding to evaluate certain offshore wind projects; authorizing certain offshore wind projects to submit certain revised plans for project schedules, sizes, or pricing, including offshore wind renewable energy credit pricing, and, under certain circumstances, to seek approval from the Commission to increase the maximum amount of offshore wind renewable energy credits sold under a certain order, subject to certain limitations; etc.
Offshore Wind-revised evaluation
SB1161
HB1296
Electricity - Offshore Wind Projects - Alterations
Senator Feldman
Failed-no vote in original committee
Education, Energy, and the Environment
Requiring the Public Service Commission on June 1, 2024 to open a revised Round 2 proceeding to evaluate certain offshore wind projects; authorizing certain offshore wind projects to submit certain revised plans for project schedules, sizes, or pricing, including offshore wind renewable energy credit pricing and, under certain circumstances, to seek approval from the Commission to increase the maximum amount of offshore wind renewable energy credits sold under a certain order, subject to certain limitations; etc.
Vehicle Electrification
SB0959
HB1256
Electricity - Tariffs, Distributed Energy Resources, and Electric Distribution System Support Services (Distributed Renewable Integration and Vehicle Electrification (DRIVE) Act)
Senator Feldman
Returned Passed
Governor
Requiring an investor-owned electric company to file certain time-of-use tariffs with the Public Service Commission by July 1, 2025; requiring an investor-owned electric company to attempt to achieve a reasonable enrollment target for the tariffs by January 1, 2028; authorizing the Commission to require the automatic enrollment of certain customers in a time-of-use tariff on an opt-out basis; requiring the Commission to adopt certain regulations by May 1, 2025, regarding the interconnection of certain systems; etc.
Electricity & Gas Regulation
HB0267
SB0001
Electricity and Gas - Retail Supply - Regulation and Consumer Protection
Delegate Crosby
Failed-no vote in original committee
Economic Matters
Establishing an energy salesperson license for certain persons that offer or sell electricity or gas supply agreements to customers in the State; providing for the terms of electricity supplier, energy salesperson, and gas supplier licenses issued by the Public Service Commission; establishing certain licensing and renewal requirements for certain persons; providing for certain disciplinary actions by the Commission against electricity suppliers, gas suppliers, and energy salespersons for certain acts; etc.
Electricity & Gas Regulation
SB0001
HB0267
Electricity and Gas - Retail Supply - Regulation and Consumer Protection
Senator Augustine
Passed Enrolled
Governor
Altering a certain charge that may be assessed to a public service company; providing for the recovery of certain costs through rates; establishing an energy salesperson license for certain persons that offer or sell electricity or gas supply agreements to customers in the State; establishing an energy vendor license for certain persons that provide energy sales services in the State; prohibiting a certain electricity supplier from marketing electricity as green power unless certain conditions are met; applying the Act prospectively; etc.
Vehicle Electrification
HB1256
SB0959
Electricity – Tariffs, Distributed Energy Resources, and Electric Distribution System Support Services (Distributed Renewable Integration and Vehicle Electrification (DRIVE) Act)
Delegate Fraser-Hidalgo
Returned Passed
Governor
Requiring a certain electric company to file certain time-of-use tariffs with the Public Service Commission by July 1, 2025; requiring a certain electric company to attempt to achieve a certain enrollment target for certain tariffs by January 1, 2028; authorizing the Commission to require the automatic enrollment of certain customers in a time-of-use tariff on an opt-out basis; requiring the Commission to certain adopt regulations on or before May 1, 2025; etc.
Generation Projects-Minority Businesses
HB0682
SB0696
Energy Generation Projects - Labor and Minority Business Enterprise Requirements
Delegate Atterbeary
Failed-no vote in original committee
Economic Matters
Requiring the developer of a covered project, on the approval of a certificate of public convenience and necessity for the construction of a certain generating station or qualified generator lead line or approval for the construction of a certain generating station, to meet certain labor standards and reporting requirements; establishing certain labor standards and certain certification, reporting, and record-keeping requirements related to the construction of a covered project; etc.
Generation Projects-Minority Businesses
SB0696
HB0682
Energy Generation Projects - Labor and Minority Business Enterprise Requirements
Senator Feldman
Unfavorable Report by Finance; Withdrawn
Requiring the developer of a covered project, on the approval of a certificate of public convenience and necessity for the construction of a certain generating station or qualified generator lead line or approval for the construction of a certain generating station, to meet certain labor standards and reporting requirements; establishing certain labor standards and certain certification, reporting, and record-keeping requirements related to the construction of a covered project; etc.
Advanced Clean Cars II
SB1063
HB1247
Environment - Advanced Clean Cars II Program - Application and Enforcement
Senator Hershey
Failed-no vote in original committee
Education, Energy, and the Environment
Prohibiting the Department of the Environment from adopting the California Advanced Clean Cars II regulations to be effective before motor vehicle model year 2030; and prohibiting the Department from applying certain provisions of law governing enforcement and penalties under the California Advanced Clean Cars II Program to a motor vehicle manufacturer for failing to meet the minimum electric vehicle or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle delivery requirements for an applicable motor vehicle model year.
Environmental Justic Districts
SB1086
Environment - Environmental Justice Districts - Designation and Requirements
Senator Washington, M.
Failed-no vote in original committee
Education, Energy, and the Environment
Authorizing a resident of a local jurisdiction or an overburdened and underserved community in the State to submit an application to the Department of the Environment to request the designation of a certain area as an environmental justice district in a certain manner; requiring the Department to publish the application process and criteria used for evaluating an application on or before December 1, 2024; requiring the Department to hold a certain hearing on a certain permit application under certain circumstances; etc.
GHG Reductions - Manufacturers
HB0990
Environment - Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions - Manufacturers
Delegate Stein
Passed Enrolled
Governor
Altering the definition of 'manufacturing' for purposes of certain greenhouse gas emissions reduction requirements to exclude the production of cement; altering the application of certain provisions of law regarding the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from the manufacturing sector to apply only to persons that engaged in manufacturing in 2023; altering certain prohibitions that apply to a State agency's implementation of a final plan to reduce statewide greenhouse gas emissions; etc.
Nuclear Power Plant Safety
HB0680
SB0536
Environment - Nuclear Power Plants - Emergency Preparedness (Radiation and Emergency Preparedness and Protection Act)
Delegate Morgan, T.
Returned Passed
Governor
Establishing the Radiation Emergency Response Program in the Department of the Environment; requiring the Department to serve as an offsite response organization and the lead State agency for all nuclear incidents within the State; requiring the Department to prepare a technical emergency radiation response plan, respond to emergencies involving a nuclear power plant, participate in a certain federal program, and procure certain specialized equipment; etc.
Nuclear Power Plant Safety
SB0536
HB0680
Environment - Nuclear Power Plants - Emergency Preparedness (Radiation and Emergency Preparedness and Protection Act)
Senator Jackson
Returned Passed
Governor
Establishing the Radiation Emergency Response Program in the Department of the Environment; requiring the Department to serve as an offsite response organization and the lead State agency for all nuclear incidents within the State; requiring the Department to prepare a technical emergency radiation response plan, respond to emergencies involving a nuclear power plant, participate in a certain federal program, and procure certain specialized equipment; etc.
Postconsumer Recycled Content
HB0168
Environment - Plastic Products - Postconsumer Recycled Content Program
Delegate Terrasa
Failed-no vote in original committee
Environment and Transportation
Support
Prohibiting certain producers of certain plastic products from selling, offering for sale, or distributing the products to any person in the State unless certain conditions are met; requiring certain producers of certain plastic products to, individually or as part of a representative organization, register and pay a certain annual registration fee to the Department of the Environment; establishing certain minimum postconsumer recycled content percentage requirements for certain products; etc.
Advanced Clean Cars II
HB1247
SB1063
Environment – Advanced Clean Cars II Program – Application and Enforcement
Delegate Adams
Failed-no vote in original committee
Environment and Transportation
Prohibiting the Department of the Environment from adopting the California Advanced Clean Cars II regulations to be effective before motor vehicle model year 2030; and prohibiting the Department from applying certain provisions of law governing enforcement and penalties under the California Advanced Clean Cars II Program to a motor vehicle manufacturer for failing to meet the minimum electric vehicle or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle delivery requirements for an applicable motor vehicle model year.
Overburdened/Underserved Communities
HB1375
Environmental Justice - Identification of and Investment in Overburdened and Underserved Communities - Report
Delegate Rosenberg
Unfavorable Report by Environment and Transportation; Withdrawn
Requiring the Department of the Environment to submit an annual report to the Governor and General Assembly on or before December 31, 2024, relating to the identification of overburdened and underserved communities, the percentage of spending for certain investments that benefited overburdened and underserved communities during the prior fiscal year within certain governmental entities, and certain recommendations on improving the identification of and provision of assistance to overburdened and underserved communities.
Environmental Justice-Infrastructure
HB0842
Environmental Justice - Investment in Infrastructure Construction Projects
Delegate Taveras
Failed-no vote in original committee
Appropriations
Requiring a State agency, in administering certain federal funds, to allocate 40% of those funds to infrastructure construction projects in overburdened communities and underserved communities and an additional 40% of those funds to infrastructure construction projects in communities of color and communities with a high percentage of low- to moderate-income households in the State; establishing the Justice40 Committee; etc.
Loans to Nonprofits
HB0660
SB0169
Green and Renewable Energy for Nonprofit Organizations Loan Program and Fund
Delegate Charkoudian
Failed-no vote in original committee
Economic Matters
Establishing the Green and Renewable Energy for Nonprofit Organizations Loan Program in the Maryland Energy Administration to provide financial assistance in the form of no-interest loans to nonprofit organizations for the planning, purchase, and installation of qualifying energy systems; establishing the Green and Renewable Energy for Nonprofit Organizations Loan Fund; authorizing, in fiscal year 2026, the Governor to include in the annual budget bill an appropriation of $5,000,000 for the Fund; etc.
Loans to Nonprofits
SB0169
HB0660
Green and Renewable Energy for Nonprofit Organizations Loan Program and Fund
Senator Kagan
Failed-no vote in opposite committee
Economic Matters
Establishing the Green and Renewable Energy for Nonprofit Organizations Loan Program in the Maryland Energy Administration to provide financial assistance in the form of no-interest loans to nonprofit organizations for the planning, purchase, and installation of qualifying energy systems; establishing the Green and Renewable Energy for Nonprofit Organizations Loan Fund; authorizing, in fiscal year 2026, the Governor to include in the annual budget bill an appropriation of $5,000,000 for the Fund; etc.
Local permits for electric storage/solar
SB1054
HB1265
Local Government - Building Permits for Residential Solar Energy and Residential Energy Storage Systems - Required Platform and Inspections
Senator Kramer
Failed-no vote in original committee
Education, Energy, and the Environment
Requiring a county or municipality to implement a certain web-based platform for features supporting the tracking and approval of residential building permits for certain residential solar energy projects, residential energy storage projects, and main electric panel alterations by August 1, 2025, except under certain circumstances; requiring a county or municipality to adopt certain procedures for required inspections for a certain building permit under certain circumstances; etc.
Local permits for electric storage/solar
HB1265
SB1054
Local Government – Building Permits for Residential Solar Energy and Residential Energy Storage Systems – Required Platform and Inspections
Delegate Fraser-Hidalgo
Failed-no vote in original committee
Environment and Transportation
Requiring a county or municipality to implement the web-based platform SolarAPP+ for features supporting the tracking and approval of residential building permits for certain residential solar energy projects, residential energy storage projects, and main electric panel alterations by a certain date except under certain circumstances; requiring a county or municipality to adopt certain procedures for required inspections for a certain building permit under certain circumstances; etc.
Building Standards-Fosil free/Electric-ready
HB0210
Maryland Building Performance Standards – Fossil Fuel Use and Electric–Ready Standards
Delegate Acevero
Failed-no vote in opposite committee
Environment and Transportation
Requiring the Maryland Department of Labor to adopt, on or before January 1, 2025, and as part of the Maryland Building Performance Standards, a requirement that new buildings meet all energy demands of the building without the use of fossil fuels and an electric-ready standard for certain buildings.
Climate Technology Founder's Fund
HB1220
SB0960
Maryland Clean Energy Center - Climate Technology Founder's Fund
Delegate Vogel
Failed-no vote in opposite committee
House Floor
Establishing the Climate Technology Founder's Fund in the Maryland Clean Energy Center to provide early-stage funding for certain start-up companies; requiring the Maryland Energy Administration to use the Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund to provide at least $1,200,000 in fiscal year 2025 through 2028 to the Climate Technology Founder's Fund; authorizing the Governor to transfer by June 30, 2024 up to $2,200,000 from the Small, Minority, and Women-Owned Businesses Account to the Climate Technology Founder's Fund; etc.
Climate Technology Founder's Fund
SB0960
HB1220
Maryland Clean Energy Center - Climate Technology Founder's Fund
Senator Feldman
Returned Passed
Governor
Establishing the Climate Technology Founder's Fund in the Maryland Clean Energy Center; requiring the Maryland Energy Administration to use the Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund to provide at least $1,200,000 in each fiscal year for fiscal years 2025 through 2028 to the Climate Technology Founder's Fund; authorizing the Governor, on or before June 30, 2024, to transfer up to $2,200,000 of funds in the the Small, Minority, and Women-Owned Businesses Account to the Climate Technology Founder's Fund; etc.
Carbon Capture
HB0155
SB0384
Maryland Energy Administration - Carbon Capture Opportunity Program - Establishment
Delegate Lewis, J.
Failed-no vote in opposite committee
Education, Energy, and the Environment
Establishing the Carbon Capture Opportunity Program in the Maryland Energy Administration to assist nonprofit and for-profit businesses in the State engaged in carbon capture projects or carbon capture research; and requiring the Administration to use existing resources to administer the Program, establish application procedures, provide technical assistance to participating businesses, assist participants in applying for federal and private grant funding, and publicize the availability of the Program.
Carbon Capture
SB0384
HB0155
Maryland Energy Administration - Carbon Capture Opportunity Program - Establishment
Senator Lewis Young
Failed-no vote in original committee
Education, Energy, and the Environment
Establishing the Carbon Capture Opportunity Program in the Maryland Energy Administration to assist nonprofit and for-profit businesses engaged in carbon capture projects or carbon capture research; and requiring the Administration to establish application procedures, provide technical assistance to participating businesses, assist participants in applying for federal and private grant funding, and publicize the availability of the Program.
Standards for outdoor lighting
HB0305
SB0405
Outdoor Lighting - Standards and Use of State Funds
Delegate Wilkins
Failed-no vote in original committee
Environment and Transportation
Requiring the Department of the Environment, on or before October 1, 2025, to develop outdoor lighting standards that consider energy consumption, the environment, and public health and safety; requiring the Department to consult with the Maryland Department of Health, the Maryland Energy Administration, and the State Highway Administration in developing the standards; prohibiting the use of State funds for the installation or replacement of certain permanent outdoor luminaires in certain areas under certain circumstances; etc.
Standards for outdoor lighting
SB0405
HB0305
Outdoor Lighting - Standards and Use of State Funds
Senator Smith
Failed-no vote in original committee
Education, Energy, and the Environment
Requiring the Department of the Environment, on or before October 1, 2025, to develop outdoor lighting standards that consider the impact of outdoor lighting on energy consumption, the environment, and public health and safety; requiring the Department of the Environment to consult with the Maryland Department of Health, the Maryland Energy Administration, and the State Highway Administration in developing the standards; etc.
Program Open Space-Renewables
SB0685
Program Open Space - Use of Property - Renewable Energy and Storage
Senator Augustine
Failed-no vote in original committee
Education, Energy, and the Environment
Authorizing the use of land that is acquired or developed with funds available under Program Open Space to be used for the generation of electricity from a solar or wind source and the storage of electricity in certain energy storage devices.
Community Solar-Capacity Expansion
HB0361
SB0640
Property Tax Exemption for Community Solar Energy Generating Systems - Limitation on Generating Capacity - Alteration
Delegate Jackson
Unfavorable Report by Economic Matters; Withdrawn
Increasing, from 2 megawatts to 5 megawatts, the limitation on the generating capacity for certain community solar energy generating systems that are exempt from personal property taxes.
Community Solar-Capacity Expansion
SB0640
HB0361
Property Tax Exemption for Community Solar Energy Generating Systems - Limitation on Generating Capacity - Alteration
Senator Brooks
Unfavorable Report by Budget and Taxation; Withdrawn
Increasing, from 2 megawatts to 5 megawatts, the limitation on the generating capacity for certain community solar energy generating systems that are exempt from personal property taxes.
Premature retirement-generating facility
HB1315
Public Service Commission - Electricity Generation Facilities - Premature Retirement (Keep the Lights On Act)
Delegate Chisholm
Unfavorable Report by Economic Matters
Requiring the Public Service Commission to consider certain factors before authorizing or approving any agreement related to the premature retirement of an electricity generation facility; establishing a rebuttable presumption that an electricity generation facility should not be prematurely retired; and prohibiting the Commission from authorizing or approving an agreement related to the premature retirement of an electricity generation facility under certain circumstances.
Energy Storage Devices
HB1112
Public Service Commission - Energy Storage Devices - Acquisition and Deployment
Delegate Charkoudian
Failed-no vote in opposite committee
Education, Energy, and the Environment
Establishing that a person that applies for a certificate of public convenience and necessity in response to a certain order is eligible for an expedited review process of the application; requiring the Public Service Commission to give priority to the review of and final action on certain applications for a certificate of public convenience and necessity; subjecting certain contracts entered into under the Act to a certain project labor agreement; etc.
Offshore Wind
SB0814
Public Utilities - Definition of Qualified Offshore Wind Project - Alteration
Senator Washington, M.
Failed-no vote in original committee
Education, Energy, and the Environment
Altering the definition of 'qualified offshore wind project' for purposes of the renewable energy portfolio standard and the development of offshore wind in the State.
High�Energy�Use Facilities
SB0861
Public Utilities - High-Energy-Use Facilities - Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions
Senator Lewis Young
Failed-no vote in original committee
Education, Energy, and the Environment
Requiring a person that owns, operates, or controls a high energy use facility to ensure greenhouse gas emissions associated with the electricity used by the facility are reduced by certain amounts by certain years; prohibiting a person from using certain methods to meet the emissions reduction targets established under the Act; and requiring the Public Service Commission to review and verify a certain report submitted by each person that owns, operates, or controls a high energy use facility and make a certain determination.
Consumer-sited solar program
HB0258
SB0416
Renewable Energy - Customer-Sited Solar Program
Delegate Qi
Failed-no vote in original committee
Economic Matters
Support
Establishing the Customer-Sited Solar Program within the Maryland Energy Administration for the purpose of increasing deployment of customer-sited solar energy generating system and providing grants to eligible customer-generators for certain solar energy generating systems; authorizing a third party to apply for a grant on behalf of an eligible customer-generator under certain circumstances; and providing for the funding of Program grants from certain compliance fee and allowance proceeds in the Strategic Energy Investment Fund.
Consumer-sited solar program
SB0416
HB0258
Renewable Energy - Customer-Sited Solar Program
Senator Lewis Young
Failed-no vote in opposite committee
Economic Matters
Support
Establishing the Customer-Sited Solar Program in the Maryland Energy Administration for the purpose of increasing deployment of customer-sited solar energy generating systems and providing grants to eligible customer-generators; authorizing a third party to apply for a grant on behalf of an eligible customer-generator under certain circumstances; requiring the Administration to develop a certain consumer protection policy; providing for the funding of Program grants from certain compliance fees in the Strategic Energy Investment Fund; etc.
Reclaim Renewable Energy
HB0166
SB0146
Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard - Eligible Sources - Alterations (Reclaim Renewable Energy Act of 2024)
Delegate Stewart
Failed-no vote in original committee
Economic Matters
Support
Altering the definition of 'Tier 1 renewable source' for purposes of excluding energy derived from waste and refuse from being eligible for inclusion in the renewable energy portfolio standard; and applying the Act to all renewable energy portfolio standard compliance years starting on or after January 1, 2024.
Reclaim Renewable Energy
SB0146
HB0166
Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard - Eligible Sources - Alterations (Reclaim Renewable Energy Act of 2024)
Senator Lewis Young
Failed-no vote in original committee
Education, Energy, and the Environment
Support
Altering the definition of 'Tier 1 renewable source' for purposes of excluding energy derived from waste and refuse from being eligible for inclusion in the renewable energy portfolio standard; and applying the Act to all renewable energy portfolio standard compliance years starting on or after January 1, 2024.
Solar Collectors-Land Use Restrictions
HB0366
SB0049
Restrictions on Use - Solar Collector Systems - Alteration
Delegate Smith
Failed-no vote in opposite committee
Judicial Proceedings
Support
Prohibiting a restriction on land use that increases the cost of installing a solar collector system by at least 5% over a certain cost or that reduces the efficiency of the system by at least 10% under a certain energy generation level; authorizing a community association to impose certain restrictions on the installation of solar collector systems in common areas or common elements; authorizing a community association to install a solar collector system in common areas or common elements under certain circumstances; etc.
Solar Collectors-Land Use Restrictions
SB0049
HB0366
Restrictions on Use - Solar Collector Systems - Alteration
Senator Elfreth
Failed-no vote in original committee
Judicial Proceedings
Support
Prohibiting a restriction on land use that increases the cost of installing a solar collector system by at least 5% over a certain cost or that reduces the efficiency of the system by at least 10% under a certain energy generation level; authorizing a community association to impose certain restrictions on the installation of solar collector systems in common areas or common elements; authorizing a community association to install a solar collector system in common areas or common elements under certain circumstances; etc.
Data Centers
HB0905
Sales and Use Tax Exemption – Qualified Data Center Personal Property – Eligibility
Delegate Charkoudian
Failed-no vote in original committee
Ways and Means
Altering, for purposes of eligibility for an exemption from the sales and use tax for qualified data center personal property, the definition of 'qualified data center' so as to require the payment of certain prevailing wages, employment of certain apprentices, installation of certain battery storage, incorporation of on-site solar energy generation to the extent practicable, and purchase of a certain percentage of energy demanded by the data center from certain wind-based generators or solar renewable energy credits.
Solar & Storage-State Procurement
HB1328
SB1082
Solar Energy and Energy Storage - Development and State Procurement
Delegate Ziegler
Failed-no vote in original committee
Economic Matters
Authorizing a county to enact a local law creating a conservation and restoration fund for a certain purpose; establishing the Utility-Scale Solar Design and Siting Commission in the Power Plant Research Program to provide recommendations related to solar energy development and land conservation and preservation; requiring the owner or operator of a certain solar energy generating station to plant and maintain a certain cover crop on certain land and submit a certain vegetation management plan to a certain entity; etc.
Solar & Storage-State Procurement
SB1082
HB1328
Solar Energy and Energy Storage - Development and State Procurement
Senator Hester
Failed-no vote in original committee
Education, Energy, and the Environment
Authorizing a county to enact a local law creating a conservation and restoration fund for a certain purpose; establishing the Utility-Scale Solar Design and Siting Commission in the Power Plant Research Program to provide recommendations related to solar energy development and land conservation and preservation; requiring the owner or operator of a certain solar energy generating station to plant and maintain a certain cover crop on certain land and submit a certain vegetation management plan to a certain entity; etc.
Diesel emissions controls
HB0150
Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program and Diesel Vehicle Emissions Control Program - Fees and Fines
Delegate Fraser-Hidalgo
Failed-no vote in original committee
Environment and Transportation
Establishing a recurring fee on each motor vehicle registered in the State that is granted a waiver from, exempted from, or not subject to the Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program and on certain diesel vehicles; requiring the fee to be deposited in the Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund and used to provide incentives to expand electric vehicle ownership and to expand electric vehicle infrastructure; etc.
Wildlife Protections & Hwy Crossings
HB1129
SB0902
Wildlife - Protections and Highway Crossings
Delegate Ruth
Failed-no vote in original committee
Environment and Transportation
Requiring the Department of Natural Resources, in collaboration with the State Highway Administration, to identify and prioritize certain species whose habitat or movement corridors intersect with State highways and develop tools, technology, and techniques to identify certain State highway infrastructure locations; requiring the Department of Natural Resources to take certain actions regarding a statewide deer population survey on or before November 1, 2024, and June 30, 2026; etc.
Wildlife Protections & Hwy Crossings
SB0902
HB1129
Wildlife – Protections and Highway Crossings
Senator Lewis Young
Failed-no vote in opposite committee
Environment and Transportation
Requiring the Department of Natural Resources, in collaboration with the State Highway Administration, to identify and prioritize certain species whose habitat or movement corridors intersect with State highways and develop tools, technology, and techniques to identify certain State highway infrastructure locations; requiring the Department of Natural Resources to develop a methodology and a cost estimate for performing a statewide deer population survey on or before November 1, 2024; etc.
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