WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 476 – 1 – Chapter 476 (House Bill 1256) AN ACT concerning Electricity – Tariffs, Distributed Energy Resources, and Electric Distribution System Support Services (Distributed Renewable Integration and Vehicle Electrification (DRIVE) Act) FOR the purpose of requiring the Public Service Commission, on or before a certain date, to adopt a transition plan requiring each electric company to transition customers to a certain time–of–use tariff on or before a certain date; requiring a certain electric company to file certain time–of–use tariffs with the Public Service Commission on or before a certain date; requiring a certain electric company to attempt to achieve a certain enrollment target for certain tariffs by a certain date; 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 on or before a certain date regarding the interconnection of certain systems to the electric distribution system; prohibiting an electric company from requiring a certain customer to enter into a certain contract or apply for interconnection with the electric distribution system; requiring a certain electric company to require a customer to apply for interconnection with the electric distribution system under certain circumstances; requiring the Commission to develop a program for each a certain electric company to establish a pilot program or temporary tariff to compensate certain persons for electric distribution system support services in a certain manner; requiring each electric company to submit the pilot program or temporary tariff to the Commission for approval on or before a certain date; authorizing a certain electric company to propose and the Commission to approve certain performance mechanisms for a certain purpose under certain circumstances; requiring the Commission to approve a certain pilot program or tariff by a certain date; authorizing the Commission to approve or require an a certain electric company to offer certain incentives or rebates under certain circumstances; requiring the Commission to consider establishing a certain limit on the amount of certain incentives or rebates; authorizing an a certain electric company to recover certain costs; prohibiting the dispatch of energy from a certain energy storage device to the electric distribution system under a pilot program or temporary tariff from being considered duplicative of any value realized by a certain customer through net energy metering; and generally relating to the generation and provision of electricity in the State. BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, Article – Public Utilities Section 1–101(a) Annotated Code of Maryland (2020 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) Ch. 476 2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND – 2 – BY adding to Article – Public Utilities Section 1–101(p–1); and 7–1001 through 7–1008 7–1007 to be under the new subtitle “Subtitle 10. Electric Distribution System Support Services” Annotated Code of Maryland (2020 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: Article – Public Utilities 1–101. (a) In this division the following words have the meanings indicated. (P–1) “INVESTOR–OWNED ELECTRIC COMPA NY” MEANS AN ELECTRIC COMPANY THAT IS NOT A MUNICIPAL ELECTRIC UTILITY OR AN ELECTR IC COOPERATIVE . SUBTITLE 10. ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM SUPPORT SERVICES. 7–1001. (A) IN THIS SUBTITLE THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS INDICATED. (B) “BENEFICIAL ELECTRIFIC ATION” MEANS REPLACING DIRE CT FOSSIL FUEL USE WITH ELECTR ICITY. (C) “BIDIRECTIONAL ELECTRI C VEHICLE” MEANS AN ELECTRIC VE HICLE THAT IS CAPABLE OF B OTH RECEIVING AND DI SCHARGING ELECTRICIT Y. (D) “DISTRIBUTED ENERGY RE SOURCE” MEANS AN ENERGY RESO URCE LOCATED ON A CUSTOME R’S PREMISES THAT : (1) PRODUCES OR STORES E LECTRICITY; OR (2) MODIFIES THE TIMING OR AMOUNT OF THE CUS TOMER’S ELECTRICITY CONSUMPT ION. (E) (1) “ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM SUPPORT SERVI CES” MEANS THE DISPATCH AND CON TROL OF A DISTRIBUTE D ENERGY RESOURCE TO PROVIDE WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 476 – 3 – SERVICES THAT CONTRI BUTE TO THE EFF ICIENT AND RELIABLE OPERATION OF THE ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTIO N SYSTEM BY: (I) AN ELECTRIC COMPANY ; OR (II) AN AGGREGATOR ACTING : 1. AT THE DIRECTION OF AN ELECTRIC COMPANY ; OR 2. UNDER A PROGRAM OR T ARIFF APPROVED BY TH E COMMISSION. (II) AN AGGREGATOR ACTING AT THE DIRECTION OF AN ELECTRIC COMPANY . (2) “ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM SUPPORT SERVI CES” INCLUDES: (I) LOCAL OR SYSTEM PEAK DEMAND REDUCTION ; (II) DEMAND RESPONSE ; (III) THE AVOIDANCE OR DEF ERRAL OF A TRANSMISS ION OR DISTRIBUTION UPGRADE OR CAPACITY EXPANSIO N; AND (IV) FACILITATING HOSTING CAPACITY TO ACCOMMOD ATE ADDITIONAL DISTRIBUT ED ENERGY RESOURCES . (F) “ELIGIBLE CUSTOMER –GENERATOR ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 7–306 OF THIS TITLE. (G) “NET ENERGY METERI NG” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 7–306 OF THIS TITLE. (H) “NET EXCESS GENERATION ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 7–306 OF THIS TITLE. (I) (1) “RENEWABLE ON –SITE GENERATING SYST EM” MEANS AN ENERGY SYSTEM LOCATED ON A CUSTOMER’S PREMISES THAT : (I) GENERATES OR STORES ELECTR ICITY FROM A TIER 1 RENEWABLE SOURCE OR A TIER 2 RENEWABLE SOURCE THAT DOES NOT RELEAS E GREENHOUSE GASES ; Ch. 476 2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND – 4 – (II) IS CAPABLE OF PROVID ING ELECTRICITY TO : 1. A HOME, BUSINESS, OR OTHER STRUCTURE S ERVICED BY AN ELECTRIC COMPA NY; AND 2. THE ELECTRIC DISTRIB UTION SYSTEM; (III) IS PAIRED WITH AN EN ERGY STORAGE DEVICE THAT IS CONFIGURED TO CHARGE FROM: 1. THE RENEWABLE SOURCE ; AND 2. THE ELECTRIC DISTRIB UTION SYSTEM UNLESS, FOR THE PURPOSE OF ELIGI BILITY FOR NET ENERG Y METERING, THE DEVICE IS REQUIRED TO BE CHARG ED ONLY FROM THE REN EWABLE SOURCE ; AND (IV) IS INTERCONNECTED AN D OPERATES IN PARALL EL WITH AN ELECTRIC COMPANY ’S TRANSMISSION AND D ISTRIBUTION FACILITI ES. (2) “RENEWABLE ON –SITE GENERATING SYST EM” INCLUDES MAY INCLUDE BIDIRECTIONAL ELECTR IC VEHICLE SERVICE E QUIPMENT LOCATED ON A CUSTOMER’S PREMISES. (J) “TIER 1 RENEWABLE SOURCE ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 7–701 OF THIS TITLE. (K) “TIER 2 RENEWABLE SOURCE ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 7–701 OF THIS TITLE. 7–1002. THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FINDS AND DE CLARES THAT: (1) WELL–DESIGNED TIME –OF–USE PRICING OF ELECT RICITY CAN HELP MITIGATE THE IM PACTS OF ELECTRIFICA TION ON THE ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM , REDUCE GREENHOUSE GA S EMISSIONS DURING P EAK HOURS, AND ENCOURAGE CUSTOM ER ADOPTION OF BENEF ICIAL ELECTRIFICATIO N MEASURES THROUGH OFF –PEAK COST SAVINGS ; (2) WIDESPREAD BENEFICIA L ELECTRIFICATION WI LL INCREASE DEMAND ON THE ELECTR IC DISTRIBUTION SYST EM AND POTENTIALLY R EQUIRE SIGNIFICANT SYSTEM U PGRADES IF CONSUMERS ADOPTIN G BENEFICIAL ELECTRIFICATION MEAS URES DO NOT ENGAGE I N A FORM OF LOAD MAN AGEMENT WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 476 – 5 – TO MITIGATE THE NEED FOR SYSTEM UPGRADES AND REDUCE THE GREEN HOUSE GAS INTENSITIES ASSO CIATED WITH GENERATI ON EMISSIONS DURING PEAK HOURS; (3) PAIRING THE ADOPTION OF RENE WABLE ON–SITE GENERATING SYSTEMS WITH BENEFIC IAL ELECTRIFICATION MEASURES MAY : (I) FURTHER REDUCE THE STATE’S GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS; (II) PROVIDE ON–SITE RESILIENCE TO C ONSUMERS; AND (III) FACILITATE LOAD FLEX IBILITY TO MITIGATE IMPACTS ON THE ELECTRIC DISTRIB UTION SYSTEM FROM LO AD GROWTH DUE TO BEN EFICIAL ELECTRIFICATION ; AND (4) IT IS REASONABLE TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL I NCENTIVES AND PROTECTIONS TO LOW – AND MODERATE –INCOME HOUSEHOLDS : (I) TO ENSURE ACCESS TO THE BENEFITS OF ELECTRIF ICATION AND ON–SITE ENERGY SYSTEMS ; AND (II) TO PROTECT THOSE HOU SEHOLDS FROM NEGATIV E BILL IMPACTS DURING A TRA NSITION TO TIME–OF–USE RATES. 7–1003. (A) SUBJECT TO SUBSECTION S (D) AND (E) OF THIS SECTION , ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 2025, THE COMMISSION SHALL ADOP T A TRANSITION PLAN TO REQUIRE EACH ELEC TRIC COMPANY TO TRAN SITION EACH CUSTOMER , ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 1, 2028, TO A TIME–OF–USE TARIFF. (B) THE TRANSITION PLAN R EQUIRED UNDER SUBSEC TION (A) OF THIS SECTION SHALL INCL UDE PROVISIONS TO EA SE THE TRANSITION TO A TIME–OF–USE TARIFF FOR CUSTOMERS IN LOW– AND MODERATE –INCOME HOUSEHOLDS . (C) THE TRANSITION TO A T IME–OF–USE TARIFF SHALL : (1) ESTABLISH A SUFFICIE NT PRICE REDUCTION F OR OFF–PEAK HOURS COMPARED TO PE AK HOURS TO ENCOURAGE CUSTOME RS TO ADJUST THEIR ELECTRICITY USAGE TO OFF–PEAK HOURS; AND (2) ADEQUATELY EDUCATE A ND ENCOURAGE CUSTOME RS TO ADJUST THEIR ELECTRICITY US AGE TO BENEFIT FROM LOWER RATES DURING O FF–PEAK HOURS. Ch. 476 2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND – 6 – (D) (1) EACH ELECTRIC COMPANY SHALL PRO VIDE TO ITS CUSTOMER S NOTICE AND AN OPPORT UNITY TO OPT OUT OF A TIME–OF–USE TARIFF UNDER THI S SECTION. (2) A CUSTOMER IS CONSIDER ED TO HAVE GIVEN PER MISSION TO THE ELECTRIC COMPANY TO TRANSITION THE CUSTO MER TO THE TIME –OF–USE TARIFF: (I) ON RECEIPT BY THE ELECTRIC COMP ANY OF A RETURNED NOTICE EXPLICITLY GR ANTING PERMISSION ; OR (II) IF THE ELECTRIC COMP ANY HAS NOT RECEIVED A RETURNED NOTICE WITH IN 30 DAYS AFTER THE NOTIC E IS GIVEN. (3) A CUSTOMER WHO HAS REF USED PERMISSION TO T RANSITION TO A TIME–OF–USE TARIFF MAY LATER REQUEST TO TRANSITIO N TO THE TIME–OF–USE TARIFF. (E) FOR GOOD CAUSE SHOWN , THE COMMISSION MAY DELAY FOR A REASONABLE PERIOD OF TIME THE DEADLINE FO R AN ELECTRIC COMPAN Y TO TRANSITION THEIR CUS TOMERS TO A TIME –OF–USE TARIFF. 7–1003. (A) (1) ON OR BEFORE JULY 1, 2025, EACH INVESTOR –OWNED ELECTRIC COMPANY SHALL FILE W ITH THE COMMISSION ONE OR MOR E TIME–OF–USE TARIFFS FOR APPROPRIATE CUST OMER CLASSES , TO BE MADE AVAILABLE TO CUSTOMERS ON AN OPT–IN BASIS. (2) EACH TIME–OF–USE TARIFF SHALL EST ABLISH A SUFFICIENT PRICE DISCOUNT FOR O FF–PEAK HOURS COMPARED TO PEAK HOURS , AS DETERMINED BY THE MA RKET OR AN INVESTOR –OWNED ELECTRIC COMPA NY’S COST OF SERVICE , TO ENCOURAGE CUSTOME RS TO ADJUST ELECTRI CITY USE TO OFF–PEAK HOURS. (B) (1) (I) AN INVESTOR –OWNED ELECTRIC COMPA NY SHALL PROPOSE WITH EACH TA RIFF OR TARIFFS REQU IRED UNDER SUBSECTIO N (A) OF THIS SECTION A REASO NABLE ENROLLMENT TAR GET TO TRY TO ACHIEV E BY JANUARY 1, 2028. (II) THE INVESTOR –OWNED ELECTRIC COMPA NY SHALL ATTEMPT TO ACHIEVE T HE ENROLLMENT TARGET THROUGH A COMBINATIO N OF WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 476 – 7 – MARKETING, CUSTOMER EDUCATION , AND OTHER MEANS TO C OMMUNICATE THE BENEFITS AND RISKS O F TIME–OF–USE RATES. (2) (I) THE COMMISSION MAY REQUIR E AN INVESTOR –OWNED ELECTRIC COMPANY T O AUTOMATICALLY ENRO LL IN A TIME –OF–USE TARIFF CUSTOMERS THAT RECEI VE AN INCENTIVE FROM THE INVESTOR–OWNED ELECTRIC COMPANY AS PART OF A BENEFICIAL ELECTRIFI CATION PROGRAM . (II) THE COMMISSION SHALL REQU IRE AN INVESTOR –OWNED ELECTRIC COMPANY TO PROVIDE TO CUSTOMERS THAT AR E AUTOMATICALLY ENROLLED IN A TIME –OF–USE TARIFF IN ACCORD ANCE WITH SUBPARAGRA PH (I) OF THIS PARAGRAPH NOTIC E AND AN OPPORTUNITY TO OPT OUT OF THE TI ME–OF–USE TARIFF. (C) ON OR BEFORE JULY 1, 2026, EACH INVESTOR –OWNED ELECTRIC COMPANY SHALL SUBMIT A REP ORT TO THE COMMISSION EVALUATING : (1) THE POTENTIAL TO AVO ID OR DEFER ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM CAPITAL PROJE CTS THROUGH THE USE OF TIME–OF–USE RATES , DEMAND–RESPONSE AND DEMAND –SIDE PROGRAMS , AND RENEWABLE ON –SITE GENERATING SYS TEMS; AND (2) THE MERITS AND FEASI BILITY OF TRANSITION ING ALL CUSTOMERS TO A TIME –OF–USE TARIFF ON AN OPT –OUT BASIS. (D) IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–1257 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE, ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 2027, THE COMMISSION SHALL SUBM IT A REPORT TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON: (1) THE IMPACTS OF OPT –IN TIME–OF–USE TARIFFS ON THE ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTIO N SYSTEM; (2) THE TIMELINE, FEASIBILITY, AND MERITS OF TRANSI TIONING ALL CUSTOMERS TO A TIME –OF–USE TARIFF ON AN OPT –OUT BASIS; AND (3) WHETHER A FULL TRANSITION TO TIME–OF–USE RATES IS JUSTIFIED. (E) AN INVESTOR –OWNED ELECTRIC COMPA NY MAY RECOVER ALL REASONABLE AND PRUDE NT COSTS, INCLUDING MARKETING COSTS, TO ACHIEVE ITS PROPOSED ENROLLMENT TARGETS AND EXECUTE ITS RESPONSIBILITIES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SECTION . Ch. 476 2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND – 8 – (F) FOR GOOD CAUSE SHOWN , THE COMMISSION MAY DELAY FOR A REASONABLE PERIOD OF TIME THE DEADLINE FO R AN INVESTOR–OWNED ELECTRIC COMPANY TO COMPLY WI TH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION. (G) (1) A MUNICIPAL ELECTRIC U TILITY OR ELECTRIC C OOPERATIVE MAY FILE WITH THE COMMISSION ONE OR MOR E TIME–OF–USE TARIFFS IN THE SAME MANNER AS AN IN VESTOR–OWNED ELECTRIC COMPA NY UNDER THIS SECTIO N. (2) IF A MUNICIPAL ELECTR IC UTILITY OR ELECTR IC COOPERATIVE ELECTS TO FILE WITH THE COMMISSION A TIME –OF–USE TARIFF UNDER THI S SECTION, THE PROVISIONS OF TH IS SECTION THAT APPL Y TO AN INVESTOR –OWNED ELECTRIC COMPANY SHA LL ALSO APPLY TO THE MUNICIPAL ELECTRIC U TILITY OR ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE . 7–1004. (A) ON OR BEFORE APRIL MAY 1, 2025, THE COMMISSION SHALL ADOPT REGULATIONS TO : (1) ESTABLISH EXPEDITED PROCESSES FOR INTERC ONNECTING THE FOLLOWING SYSTEMS TO THE ELECTRIC DISTRIB UTION SYSTEM: (1) (I) BIDIRECTIONAL ELECTR IC VEHICLE SYSTEMS C APABLE OF PROVIDING ELECTRICIT Y TO THE ELECTRIC DI STRIBUTION SYSTE M; AND (2) (II) BIDIRECTIONAL ELECTR IC VEHICLE SYSTEMS T HAT DO NOT PROVIDE ELECTRICITY TO THE ELECTRIC DIST RIBUTION SYSTEM BUT DO PROVIDE ELECTRICITY TO A HOM E, BUSINESS, OR OTHER STRUCTURE S ERVICED BY AN ELECTRIC INVESTOR–OWNED ELECTRIC COMPANY; AND (2) PROVIDE INVESTOR –OWNED ELECTRIC COMPA NIES WITH ADEQUATE TIME TO ENS URE ELECTRIC DISTRIB UTION SYSTEM RELIABI LITY IN ADVANCE OF THE INTER CONNECTIONS DESCRIBE D IN ITEM (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION. (B) AN ELECTRIC INVESTOR–OWNED ELECTRIC COMPANY: (1) MAY REQUIRE A CUSTOM ER TO PROVIDE NOTICE TO THE ELECTRIC INVESTOR–OWNED ELECTRIC COMPANY IF THE CUSTO MER INSTALLS A BIDIRECTIONAL ELECTR IC VEHICLE SYSTEM DE SCRIBED IN SUBSECTIO N (A) (A)(1)(II) OF THIS SECTION; BUT AND WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 476 – 9 – (2) MAY NOT REQUIRE THE CUSTOMER TO ENTER INTO A NET ENE RGY METERING CONTRACT OR OTHERWISE APPLY FOR INTERCONNECTION WITH THE ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTIO N SYSTEM. (2) SHALL REQUIRE A CUST OMER TO APPLY FOR IN TERCONNECTION IF THE CUSTOMER CONF IGURES A BIDIRECTION AL ELECTRIC VEHICLE SYSTEM TO PROVIDE ELECTRICITY TO THE ELECTRIC DIST RIBUTION SYSTEM . (C) A MUNICIPAL ELECTRIC U TILITY OR AN ELECTRI C COOPERATIVE MAY COMPLY WITH THE REQU IREMENTS OF SUBSECTI ON (B) OF THIS SECTION IN T HE SAME MANNER AS AN IN VESTOR–OWNED ELECTRIC COMPA NY. 7–1005. (A) (1) THE COMMISSION SHALL DEVE LOP A PROGRAM FOR EA CH ELECTRIC INVESTOR–OWNED ELECTRIC COMPANY TO ESTABLISH A PILOT PROGRAM OR TEMPORARY TARIFF TO COMPENSATE OWNERS AND AGGREGATORS OF DISTRIBUTED ENERGY R ESOURCES FOR ELECTRI C DISTRIBUTION SYSTE M SUPPORT SERVICES ON A PAY –FOR–PERFORMANCE BASIS THROUGH AN INCENTIVE MECHANISM DETERMINED BY THE COMMISSION. (2) ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 1, 2025, THE COMMISSION SHALL ADOPT REGULATIONS ES TABLISHING PROGRAM R EQUIREMENTS TO ACHIE VE ELECTRIC SYSTEM BENE FITS USING DISTRIBUTED ENERGY R ESOURCES. (B) (1) (I) ON OR BEFORE JULY 1, 2025, EACH ELECTRIC INVESTOR–OWNED ELECTRIC COMPANY SHALL SUBMIT TO THE COMMISSION FOR APPROVAL A PILOT PRO GRAM OR TEMPORARY TARIFF FOR ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM SUPPORT SERVICES THA T PROVIDES REASONABL E COMPENSATION ON A PAY–FOR–PERFORMANCE BASIS TO RENEWABLE ON–SITE GENERATING SYSTEMS THROUGH A MECHANISM DETERMINED BY THE COMMISSION. (2) (II) THE PILOT PROGRAM OR TEMPORA RY TARIFF SUBMITTED UNDER PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION SUBPARAGRAPH (I) OF THIS PARAGRAPH SHALL PROVIDE THAT E LECTRIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM SUPPORT SERVICES TO ON –SITE ENERGY STORAGE DEVICES BE USED FOR SYSTEM PEAK REDUCTION ACCORDING TO A SCHED ULE AT A FREQUENCY OF AT LEAS T 30 EVENTS PER YEAR. (C) ANY PILOT PROGRAM OR TEMPORARY TARIFF SUB MITTED UNDER THIS SECTION SHALL ESTABL ISH A STRUCTURE FOR PERFORMANCE PAYMENTS THAT IS DESIGNED TO COVER TH E COST OF DISTRIBUTE D ENERGY RESOURCES T O AN OWNER Ch. 476 2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND – 10 – OR AGGREG ATOR PROVIDING ELECT RIC DISTRIBUTION SYS TEM SUPPORT SERVICES. (2) (I) A MUNICIPAL ELECTRIC U TILITY OR AN ELECTRI C COOPERATIVE MAY ESTA BLISH A PILOT PROGRA M, TEMPORARY TARIFF , OR PERFORMANCE MECHANIS M UNDER THIS SECTION . (II) IF A MUNICIPAL ELECTR IC UTILITY OR ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE ESTABLIS HES A PILOT PROGRAM , TEMPORARY TARIFF , OR PERFORMANCE MECHANIS M UNDER THIS SECTION , THE PROVISIONS OF TH IS SECTION AND §§ 7–1006 AND 7–1007 OF THIS SUBTITLE THA T APPLY TO AN INVESTOR–OWNED ELECTRIC COMPA NY SHALL ALSO APPLY TO THE MUNICIP AL ELECTRIC UTILITY OR ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE . (C) (1) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY P ROVISION OF THIS SUB TITLE, AN INVESTOR–OWNED ELECTRIC COMPA NY MAY PROPOSE AND S UBMIT TO THE COMMISSION A PERFORMA NCE MECHANISM TO COV ER THE COST OF USING DISTRIBUTED ENERGY RESOUR CES OR AN AGGREGATOR OF DISTRIBUTED ENERG Y RESOURCES UNDER THIS SUBTITLE. (2) THE COMMISSION MAY APPROV E A PERFORMANCE MECH ANISM SUBMITTED UNDER PARA GRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION I F THE COMMISSION DETERMINES THAT THE PERFORMANCE MECHANISM IS IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST . (D) (1) ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 1, 2025, THE THE COMMISSION SHALL APPROVE, DENY, OR APPROVE WITH AMEN DMENTS A PILOT PROGR AM OR TEMPORARY TARIFF SUB MITTED UNDER THIS SE CTION FOR EACH ELECTRIC INVESTOR–OWNED ELECTRIC COMPANY IN AN EXPEDITED MANN ER. (2) THE COMMISSION SHALL IF THE COMMISSION DETERMINES THAT TRANSITIONING A PILO T PROGRAM OR TEMPORA RY TARIFF TO A PERMA NENT PROGRAM OR TARIFF IS IN THE PUBLIC INTERE ST, THE COMMISSION MAY ESTABLISH A PROCESS FOR AN ELECTRIC INVESTOR–OWNED ELECTRIC COMPANY TO TRANSITION A PILO T PROGRAM OR TEMPORA RY TARIFF TO A PERMA NENT PROGRAM OR TARIFF FO R ELECTRIC DISTRIBUT ION SYSTEM SUPPORT S ERVICES. (3) EACH IF THE COMMISSION DETERMINES THE TRANSITION TO A PERMANENT PROGRAM OR TARIFF IS IN THE PUBLIC I NTEREST, EACH CUSTOMER PARTICIPATING IN A P ILOT PROGRAM OR TEMP ORARY TARIFF APPROVE D UNDER PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION SHALL MAY BE TRANSITIONED TO A PERMANENT PROGRAM OR TARIFF FOR ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM SUPPORT SERVICES WHEN THE PROGRAM OR TARIFF IS APPROVED B Y THE COMMISSION. WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 476 – 11 – (E) (1) THE COMMISSION MAY ALLOW THE ENERGY GENERATED BY A RENEWABLE ON –SITE GENERATING SYST EM THAT PROVIDES ELE CTRIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM SUPPORT SERVICE UNDE R A PILOT PROGRAM OR TEMPORARY TARIFF APPROVED UNDER SUBSE CTION (D)(1) OF THIS SECTION TO COUNT TOWARDS THE ELECTRIC INVESTOR–OWNED ELECTRIC COMPANY’S GREENHOUSE EMISSIONS REDUCTION GOALS UNDE R § 7–211 OF THIS TITLE. (2) (I) SUBJECT TO SUBPARAGRA PH (II) OF THIS PARAGRAPH , THE CUMULATIVE ENE RGY STORAGE CAPACITY OF ANY ENERGY STORAG E DEVICES INSTALLED ON A CUSTO MER’S PROPERTY IN ACCORD ANCE WITH THIS SUBTI TLE SHALL COUNT TOWARDS THE TARGETS ESTABLIS HED UNDER § 7–216.1 OF THIS TITLE. (II) SUBPARAGRAPH (I) OF THIS PARAGRAPH DO ES NOT INCLUDE THE ENERGY STORAGE CA PACITY OF: 1. ELECTRIC VEHICLES TH AT ARE PART OF A RENEWABLE ON –SITE GENERATING SYST EM; OR 2. MOBILE ENERGY STORAG E DEVICES. (F) THE CUMULATIVE NAMEPL ATE CAPACITY OF RENE WABLE ON–SITE GENERATING SYSTEMS P ARTICIPATING IN A PI LOT PROGRAM OR TEMPO RARY TARIFF APPROVED UNDE R THIS SECTION MAY N OT EXCEED 2% OF THE INVESTOR–OWNED ELECTRIC COMPA NY’S HIGHEST RECORDED C OINCIDENT PEAK DEMAND. 7–1006. (A) (1) THE COMMISSION MAY APPROVE OR REQUIRE A N INVESTOR–OWNED ELECTRIC COMPANY TO OFFER UPFRONT INC ENTIVES OR REBATES TO CUSTOMERS TO ACQUIRE AND INSTA LL RENEWABLE ON –SITE GENERATING SYSTEMS I F THE CUSTOMER : (I) ENROLLS IN A PILOT P ROGRAM OR TEMPORARY TARIFF ESTABLISHED UNDER § 7–1005 OF THIS SUBTITLE; AND (II) ALLOWS THE SYS TEM TO BE USED FOR E LECTRIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM SUPPORT SERVICES FOR A PERIOD OF NOT LESS THAN 5 YEARS. (2) THE COMMISSION MAY : Ch. 476 2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND – 12 – (I) AUTHORIZE OR REQUIRE AN INVESTOR–OWNED ELECTRIC COMPANY TO PROVIDE A N ADDITIONAL INCENTI VE OR REBATE FOR LOW – OR MODERATE–INCOME CUSTOMERS WHO APPLY FOR AN INCENTI VE OR REBATE UNDER THIS SECTION ; AND (II) REQUIRE AN INVESTOR–OWNED ELECTRIC COMPANY TO PRIORITIZE THE OFFER OF INCENTIVES OR REB ATES UNDER THIS SECT ION TO LOW– OR MODERATE –INCOME CUSTOMERS . (B) IN DETERMINING WHETHER T O REQUIRE AN INVESTOR–OWNED ELECTRIC COMPANY TO OFFER AN INCENTIVE O R REBATE UNDER THIS SECTION, THE COMMISSION SHALL CONS IDER: (1) THE BENEFIT OF REDUC ING THE OPERATION OF PEAK GENERATING FACILITIE S IN OVERBURDENED AN D UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES ; (2) THE BENEFIT OF RESIL IENCY AND SERVICE OU TAGE AVOIDANCE FOR CUSTOMERS WITH O N–SITE GENERATING SYST EMS; AND (3) THE POTENTIAL FOR ELECTRIC INVESTOR–OWNED ELECTRIC COMPANIES TO REDUCE EXPENSES RELATING TO ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTIO N SYSTEM INFRASTRUCTURE BY LEVE RAGING CUSTOMERS ’ ON–SITE GENERATING SYST EMS. (C) THE COMMISSION SHALL CONS IDER ESTABLISHING A LIMIT ON THE AMOUNT OF INCENTIVES OR REBATES ISSUED IN A MANNER THAT ACHIEV ES DEPLOYMENT GOALS WHI LE MITIGATING POTENT IAL CUSTOMER IMPACTS . (D) THE COMMISSION SHALL CONS ULT WITH THE MARYLAND ENERGY ADMINISTRATION , WHEN APPROVING OR RE QUIRING AN INCENTIVE OR REBATE UNDER THIS SECTION , TO ENSURE THAT THE I NCENTIVE OR REBATE I S DESIGNED TO SUPPLEMENT , TO THE GREATEST EXTE NT POSSIBLE, OTHER AVA ILABLE STATE AND FEDERAL INCENTIV ES FOR CUSTOMER ADOP TION OF RENEWABLE ON –SITE GENERATING SYSTEMS . 7–1007. (A) AN ELECTRIC INVESTOR–OWNED ELECTRIC COMPANY MAY RECOVER ALL REASONABLE COSTS INCURRED IN: (1) PARTICIPATING IN A PILOT PROGRAM OR T EMPORARY TARIFF AND ADMINISTERING A PROGRAM UNDER § 7–1005 OF THIS SUBTITLE; AND WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 476 – 13 – (2) OFFERING AN UPFRONT INCENTIVE OR REBATE UNDER § 7–1006 OF THIS SUBTITLE. (B) TO THE EXTENT FEASIBL E, THE COSTS LISTED IN SUBSECTION (A) OF THIS SECTION SHALL B E RECOVERED BY THE ELECTRIC INVESTOR–OWNED ELECTRIC COMPANY WITHIN THE C ALENDAR YEAR IN WHIC H THOSE COSTS WERE INCURRED. (C) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY P ROVISION OF THIS SUB TITLE, AN ELECTRIC INVESTOR–OWNED ELECTRIC COMPANY MAY PURSUE A ND USE A PERFORMANCE INCENTIVE MECHANISM TO COVER THE COST OF USING DISTRIBUTED EN ERGY RESOURCES OR AN AGGR EGATOR OF DISTRIBUTE D RESOURCES UNDER TH IS SUBTITLE. 7–1008. (A) THIS SECTION APPLIES ONLY TO AN ELIGIBLE CUSTOMER–GENERATOR THAT IS: (1) PARTICIPATING IN AN ELECTRIC COMPANY ’S NET ENERGY METERING PROGRAM ; AND (2) USING AN ENERGY STOR AGE DEVICE THAT : (I) IS CHARGED ONLY FROM THE ELIGIBLE CUSTOMER–GENERATOR ’S GENERATING FACILIT Y THAT CREATES NET E XCESS GENERATION ; OR (II) ACCRUES NET EXCESS G ENERATION ONLY FOR E NERGY CREATED BY AN ON –SITE ENERGY GENERATI NG SYSTEM. (B) THE DISPATCH OF ENERG Y FROM AN ENERGY STORAGE DEVICE TO THE ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTIO N SYSTEM UNDER A PIL OT PROGRAM OR TEMPOR ARY TARIFF ESTABLISHED U NDER § 7–1005 OF THIS SUBTITLE MAY NOT BE CONSIDERED DUPLICATIVE OF ANY V ALUE REALIZED BY THE ELIGIBLE CUSTOMER –GENERATOR THROUGH NET ENERGY M ETERING. SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect October 1, 2024. Approved by the Governor, May 9, 2024.