Maryland legislators are issuing a legislative package designed to reduce utility energy costs, and clean energy sources like solar power are part of that strategy. Gov. Wes Moore, Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson and House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melynk announced the Utility RELIEF Act, which builds on the governor’s existing Lower Bills and Local Energy Act, with the goal of reducing energy costs for Maryland households by $150 annually.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore speaks at a press conference in January. Pat Siebert
“Fundamentally, the legislative package being announced today is about maximizing savings for working families in the midst of a historic increase in energy consumption in a tightening energy generation market,” said Senate President Bill Ferguson. “If the measure of a government is how it supports those most in need, Maryland will lead the way both in its targeting of assistance and the ease with which eligible residents can access it.”
The Utility RELIEF (Reducing Energy Load Inflation for Everyday Families) Act is allocating $200 million from the state’s Strategic Energy Investment Fund to secure local clean energy generation, modernize Maryland’s electric grid and lower energy bills. The legislative package introduces measures to hold major energy users, like data centers, accountable to the people of Maryland.
Of the allocated funds, $100 million will promote local clean energy generation including utility-scale solar projects. The Maryland Energy Administration will build a program to support clean energy projects.
Utilities will be required to modernize Maryland’s electrical grid with greater transmission and grid-enhancing technologies, increasing operational efficiencies that are passed down in energy cost savings. Additionally, Data center developers will be responsible for paying for their energy infrastructure upgrades.
“Marylanders deserve energy bills they can afford. But because of the Trump-Vance administration’s actions and failures by regional operators like PJM, too many families are seeing skyrocketing utility costs — and that is unacceptable,” Moore said. “That is why we are taking action where we can: holding utility companies accountable, moving faster to build new energy generation and delivering $100 million to lower energy bills for Maryland families. While Washington keeps making life harder for working people, we are staying focused on the issues that matter — lowering costs, making Maryland more affordable and protecting Maryland families.”
News item from the Maryland Energy Administration
