This bill would eliminate several environmental and energy-related fees, taxes, and programs currently included on Maryland electric and gas utility bills. It directly affects residential customers, small businesses, and commercial customers by removing charges related to the electric universal service program, energy efficiency plans, renewable energy standards, building efficiency requirements, and the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. Key provisions prohibit utility companies from adding specific surcharges or riders to retail bills and require the state to withdraw from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. The legislation also repeals various sections of state law governing these programs and taxes across multiple articles of the Annotated Code of Maryland.
Topics
✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill eliminates environmental and energy-related fees, taxes, and programs from utility bills, reducing government revenue and defunding essential programs.90% confidence
✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill eliminates environmental fees, taxes, and programs related to energy efficiency and renewable energy standards, weakening clean energy initiatives.95% confidence
✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill eliminates environmental fees, taxes, and programs including renewable energy standards, energy efficiency plans, and Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, weakening environmental protections.95% confidence
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.
HB 988 repeals Maryland's existing building energy performance standards for commercial and multifamily buildings over 35,000 square feet. It removes requirements for these buildings to achieve a 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2040, as well as annual reporting of emissions data. The bill specifically repeals Sections 2-1601 and 2-1602 of the Environment Article and amends Section 4-211(d)(1) and (2) of the Housing and Community Development Article. This eliminates the state's regulatory framework for building energy efficiency, directly affecting owners of covered commercial and multifamily properties.
HB 1065 establishes a grant program for Maryland manufacturers of cement, concrete, or construction materials that use coal ash waste (like fly ash or bottom ash) as feedstock. It requires the Department of the Environment to award grants to eligible manufacturers meeting specific criteria, including using Maryland-sourced coal by-products, creating jobs in communities affected by coal waste, and demonstrating measurable greenhouse gas reductions compared to conventional materials. The bill also mandates that all state government agencies give procurement preference to bids that incorporate these coal by-products. This directly affects cement/concrete manufacturers, state purchasing decisions, and communities near coal waste generation sites. The policy change focuses on repurposing existing coal waste for construction materials through financial incentives and procurement rules.
HB 1040 mandates that Maryland's Strategic Energy Investment Fund allocate at least $365 million annually from fiscal years 2028 through 2032 specifically to climate change programs. This includes $100 million for incentives to replace gas stoves, resistive electric heating, and electric water heaters with energy-efficient alternatives like induction stoves and heat pumps; $50 million for expanding solar energy deployment through community solar and equity programs; and $25 million for electric vehicle infrastructure and zero-emission vehicle incentives. The bill directly affects Maryland residents (through home appliance rebates) and businesses (via solar and EV programs) by funding concrete climate action. These allocations are mandatory, ensuring dedicated state funding for measurable climate impact reduction over the specified period.
SB 834 imposes a moratorium starting July 1, 2026, prohibiting state government from implementing or enforcing energy efficiency and conservation programs tied to greenhouse gas reduction goals. It requires the Public Service Commission to let electric and gas companies continue recovering costs incurred before July 1, 2026, for programs established under prior law until all such costs are fully recovered. The Commission must report to the legislature within three months of full cost recovery, including a recommendation on whether to lift the moratorium. This bill directly affects utilities, the Public Service Commission, and state agencies overseeing energy programs, with no new program requirements after the moratorium date.
HB 1532 amends Maryland's energy laws to adjust electricity rate structures and efficiency programs. It lowers the qualifying threshold for large commercial/industrial customers to access a specific rate schedule from 100 megawatts to 25 megawatts, directly affecting major energy users like factories and data centers. The bill also changes multiyear rate plan rules to prevent utilities from passing certain costs to customers and requires refunds if actual revenue differs from forecasts. Additionally, it updates energy efficiency program cycles, greenhouse gas target calculations, and definitions for energy resources like "zero-emission credits" used in procurement.
HB 1525 would require Maryland to withdraw from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) by January 1, 2027, ending the state's participation in a regional program that sets carbon emission limits for power plants. The bill eliminates a surcharge utilities used to recover costs for energy efficiency programs (EmPOWER), directly affecting how these programs are funded. It also limits the amount of electricity that can be purchased or credited under community solar programs. Maryland could rejoin RGGI if all other PJM Interconnection states become full members or if the state becomes a net electricity exporter.
SB 590 requires Maryland's Department of the Environment to study the design and implications of an economy-wide cap-and-invest program to help achieve the state's 2045 net-zero greenhouse gas emissions goal. The study, to be developed with agencies like the Climate Change Commission and Energy Administration, will evaluate key elements including which sectors (like electricity generation) to cover, how to protect low-income households through revenue use (e.g., rebates, weatherization), and how to address equity in overburdened communities. It will also assess program mechanics such as allowance distribution, auction design, and potential use of offset credits, building on Maryland's existing experience with the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. The study aims to provide a foundation for future policy decisions on climate funding and emissions reductions.
HB 1161, the BPW Climate Transparency Act, requires Maryland state agencies to provide specific climate and sustainability details when submitting certain contracts (like construction, energy performance, and public-private partnerships) to the Board of Public Works for approval. Agencies must explain how these contracts support greenhouse gas reduction, climate resilience, sustainable practices, and compliance with green building standards. The Department of General Services will issue guidance to help agencies meet these requirements, and the information must be included on the Board's agenda for review. The law takes effect on October 1, 2026.
