Energy

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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in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 10, 2026

SB 479: Environment - Building Energy Performance Standards and Energy Use Intensity Targets - Exemptions

SB 479 adds specific exemptions to Maryland's building energy performance standards, allowing certain covered buildings to avoid compliance requirements. The bill exempts historic properties, public/private schools, hospitals, manufacturing facilities, and agricultural buildings from energy use intensity targets. It also includes exceptions for critical infrastructure, military buildings, and facilities with specialized needs like health care sterilization or emergency power. These exemptions apply until a specified future occurrence (not detailed in the bill text). The bill modifies existing law to clarify which building types are excluded from the state's energy efficiency mandates.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyExemptions weaken building energy efficiency requirements, reducing compliance burden on sectors like schools and hospitals, directly opposing stricter energy standards.90% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill adds exemptions to energy standards, reducing compliance requirements for key building types, weakening overall environmental regulations by removing conservation mandates.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency

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signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 28, 2026

HB 640: Mandated Reports, Boards, and Commissions - Revisions

HB 640 repeals outdated or unnecessary government reporting requirements, boards, and commissions to improve administrative efficiency. It specifically eliminates obsolete entities like the Renewable Fuels Incentive Board, Two-Generation Family Economic Security Commission, and the requirement for the Department of Health to report on hepatitis B/C virus activities. The bill also removes redundant reporting mandates, such as those for the Criminal Justice Information Advisory Board and several working groups under the Commission on Climate Change. These changes streamline state operations by removing duplicative or obsolete structures without creating new policies or obligations.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyEliminates Renewable Fuels Incentive Board, weakening renewable energy support mechanisms per bill summary.85% confidence

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

HB 460: Solar Energy - Construction of Generating Stations in Priority Preservation Areas and Study

HB 460 limits solar energy generating station construction in Maryland's priority preservation areas (protected lands established before 2025) to 2% of the total acreage, down from a previous 5% cap. It requires counties to report when this 2% limit is reached and prohibits local zoning laws from blocking solar projects meeting specific criteria. The bill also mandates the Maryland Department of the Environment to study the environmental impact of disposing of solar panels at end-of-life and report findings by September 2027. This directly affects counties, developers, and landowners in priority preservation areas by restricting solar development space and creating new reporting requirements. The policy change aims to balance renewable energy growth with conservation of sensitive lands.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyReduces solar construction cap from 5% to 2% in protected areas, restricting renewable energy development despite allowing some projects.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentReduces solar construction cap in protected lands from 5% to 2%, strengthening environmental protection of priority preservation areas.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Solar Conservation

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

HB 521: Electric Companies and Gas Companies - Customer Bill Surcharge - Repeal

HB 521 repeals a surcharge on electric and gas utility bills that previously funded energy efficiency programs supporting Maryland's greenhouse gas reduction goals. The bill removes the requirement for utilities to recover costs related to these programs through customer bills, eliminating a mandatory surcharge that had been in place since at least 2008. This directly affects residential and commercial utility customers who previously paid this fee, as it no longer requires utilities to include these costs in billing. The repeal also removes disclosure requirements about the surcharge's purpose and duration.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyRepeals surcharge funding energy efficiency programs supporting GHG reduction goals, removing mandatory funding for climate initiatives.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRepeals mandatory surcharge funding energy efficiency programs supporting Maryland's greenhouse gas reduction goals, directly weakening climate initiatives by removing a key funding source since 2008.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Climate Change

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 4, 2026

HB 673: Consumer Goods - Restrictions Based on Energy Source - Prohibition (Energy Equality Act of 2026)

HB 673 prohibits local or state governments from restricting the sale, purchase, or use of consumer goods (such as vehicles, appliances, or other products) solely based on their energy source - like gasoline, electricity, natural gas, or propane. It repeals existing Maryland laws requiring low-emission vehicle programs and sales rules for zero-emission medium/heavy-duty trucks, ending those specific regulatory requirements. The law applies retroactively to all current restrictions and directly affects consumers, dealers, and manufacturers of energy-source-dependent goods. It does not alter federal emissions standards but removes state-level barriers to using diverse energy sources for everyday products.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyRepeals low-emission vehicle programs and zero-emission truck requirements, weakening clean energy standards and regulatory mandates for renewable energy transition.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill repeals low-emission vehicle programs and zero-emission truck sales rules, removing regulatory requirements that reduce emissions. This weakens environmental protections by eliminating mandates for cleaner energy sources.90% confidence ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationRepeals Maryland's low-emission vehicle programs and zero-emission truck sales requirements, weakening transportation regulations promoting cleaner vehicles.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Oil & Gas Electric Vehicles

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 9, 2026

SB 373: Environment - Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative - Withdrawal (Restoring Energy Freedom Act)

SB 373 would require the Governor to withdraw Maryland from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a regional program limiting power plant emissions. The bill repeals and amends Maryland law that previously mandated state participation in RGGI and redirected funds from RGGI allowance sales to the Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund. It removes requirements for the state to report on emissions reductions plans if RGGI participation ends. This legislation directly affects Maryland's state government and energy policy by ending the state's involvement in the multi-state emissions trading program. The bill does not alter current emissions regulations but changes how funds from RGGI would be handled if Maryland withdraws.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill defunds Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund by removing RGGI revenue redirection, directly aligning with 'defund essential programs' indicator.90% confidence ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyWithdraws Maryland from RGGI, a cap-and-trade emissions program, repealing mandates for participation and removing emissions reporting requirements, weakening clean energy standards.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentWithdraws Maryland from RGGI, a program limiting power plant emissions, removing emission caps and redirecting funds away from environmental initiatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 19, 2026

HB 66: Environment - Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative - Withdrawal (Restoring Energy Freedom Act)

HB 66 requires the Governor to withdraw Maryland from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a multi-state program targeting carbon emissions from power plants. The bill amends Maryland law to remove the requirement for state participation in RGGI and redirects funds previously allocated to RGGI programs, such as the Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund. It specifically repeals provisions that mandated joining RGGI, required emissions reporting under the initiative, and linked urban forestry programs to RGGI offset opportunities. The bill directly affects state agencies managing energy policy and environmental programs by eliminating RGGI obligations and redirecting related financial resources.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesDefunds RGGI programs by redirecting previously allocated funds and repealing participation mandates, removing state budget allocation for emissions reporting.95% confidence ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyWithdraws Maryland from RGGI, a carbon emissions program, weakening regional clean energy standards and ending emissions reporting requirements.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentWithdraws MD from RGGI (emissions program), repeals participation mandates, redirects funds - directly weakens climate action and emissions reduction efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change Forestry

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