Overview
- Gov. Wes Moore, Senate President Bill Ferguson and House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk introduced a unified plan they say will deliver at least $150 in annual savings for customers.
- The proposal mobilizes more than $200 million from the Strategic Energy Investment Fund, including $100 million for direct refunds and $100 million to support in‑state clean energy through an annual bidding program run by the Maryland Energy Administration and the Public Service Commission.
- Utilities would have to prioritize advanced transmission and grid‑enhancing technologies, face greater oversight of large federally approved projects, see caps on recoverable costs, lose the 0.5% RTO participation incentive, and maintain participation in PJM Interconnection.
- The measure imposes guardrails on data centers by requiring them to pay for grid connection upgrades rather than shifting those costs to ratepayers.
- Short‑term relief also includes temporary cuts to EmPOWER surcharges and support for a Limited Income Discounted Rate projected to save eligible customers up to $1,400 per year, with the package now before the General Assembly and drawing Republican criticism.