| Old | New | Differences | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | - | WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 539 | |
| 2 | 1 | ||
| 3 | - | – 1 – | |
| 4 | - | Chapter 539 | |
| 5 | - | (House Bill 864) | |
| 6 | 2 | ||
| 7 | - | AN ACT concerning | |
| 3 | + | EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDE D TO EXISTING LAW . | |
| 4 | + | [Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law. | |
| 5 | + | Underlining indicates amendments to bill. | |
| 6 | + | Strike out indicates matter stricken from the bill by amendment or deleted from the law by | |
| 7 | + | amendment. | |
| 8 | + | Italics indicate opposite chamber/conference committee amendments. | |
| 9 | + | *hb0864* | |
| 8 | 10 | ||
| 9 | - | Energy Efficiency and Conservation Plans | |
| 11 | + | HOUSE BILL 864 | |
| 12 | + | M5, C5 (4lr0448) | |
| 13 | + | ENROLLED BILL | |
| 14 | + | — Economic Matters/Education, Energy, and the Environment — | |
| 15 | + | Introduced by Delegates Crosby and Qi | |
| 10 | 16 | ||
| 11 | - | FOR the purpose of requiring each electric company, each gas company, and the | |
| 12 | - | Department of Housing and Community Development to develop a certain plan for | |
| 13 | - | achieving certain energy efficiency, conservation, and greenhouse gas emissions | |
| 14 | - | reduction targets through certain programs and services and superseding certain | |
| 15 | - | existing energy efficiency and conservation goals; requiring the Public Service | |
| 16 | - | Commission to encourage and promote the efficient use and conservation of energy | |
| 17 | - | in support of certain greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals and targets in a | |
| 18 | - | certain manner, including by requiring municipal electric or gas utilities and small | |
| 19 | - | rural certain electric cooperatives to include certain programs or services as part of | |
| 20 | - | their service to their customers as directed by the Commission; requiring the | |
| 21 | - | Commission to require certain electric companies and certain gas companies to | |
| 22 | - | include a certain disclosure on customer bills; requiring the Commission to establish | |
| 23 | - | and determine certain greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets; requiring certain | |
| 24 | - | contractors used for certain programs under this Act to meet certain job | |
| 25 | - | requirements; requiring the Department of Housing and Community Development | |
| 26 | - | to develop a plan to coordinate and leverage funding sources to support certain | |
| 27 | - | energy efficiency and other home upgrades; requiring the Department of the | |
| 28 | - | Environment to prepare and submit to the Commission a certain analysis; requiring | |
| 29 | - | each electric company and each gas company to promote certain rebates, tax credits, | |
| 30 | - | and incentives; requiring the certification agency designated by the Board of Public | |
| 31 | - | Works and the Governor’s Office of Small, Minority, and Women Business Affairs, | |
| 32 | - | in consultation with the Department of Housing and Community Development, the | |
| 33 | - | Office of the Attorney General, and the General Assembly to study certain energy | |
| 34 | - | efficiency and conservation services and submit its findings on or before a certain | |
| 35 | - | date; requiring the Commission to establish a certain working group to study and | |
| 36 | - | make recommendations on extending certain program assistance to certain | |
| 37 | - | moderate–income households; and generally relating to the efficient use and | |
| 38 | - | conservation of energy in support of greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals and | |
| 39 | - | targets. | |
| 17 | + | Read and Examined by Proofreaders: | |
| 40 | 18 | ||
| 41 | - | BY repealing | |
| 42 | - | Article – Public Utilities | |
| 43 | - | Section 7–211 and 7–211.1 | |
| 44 | - | Annotated Code of Maryland | |
| 45 | - | (2020 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) | |
| 19 | + | _______________________________________________ | |
| 20 | + | Proofreader. | |
| 21 | + | _______________________________________________ | |
| 22 | + | Proofreader. | |
| 46 | 23 | ||
| 47 | - | BY renumbering | |
| 48 | - | Article – Public Utilities | |
| 49 | - | Section 7–211.2 Ch. 539 2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND | |
| 24 | + | Sealed with the Great Seal and presented to the Governor, for his approval this | |
| 50 | 25 | ||
| 51 | - | – 2 – | |
| 52 | - | to be Section 7–315 | |
| 53 | - | Annotated Code of Maryland | |
| 54 | - | (2020 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) | |
| 26 | + | _______ day of _______________ at ________________________ o’clock, ________M. | |
| 55 | 27 | ||
| 56 | - | BY adding to | |
| 57 | - | Article – Public Utilities | |
| 58 | - | The new part designation “Part I. In General” to immediately precede Section 7–201; | |
| 59 | - | and Section 7–220 through 7–228 to be under the new part “Part II. Energy | |
| 60 | - | Efficiency and Conservation Plans” | |
| 61 | - | Annotated Code of Maryland | |
| 62 | - | (2020 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) | |
| 28 | + | ______________________________________________ | |
| 29 | + | Speaker. | |
| 63 | 30 | ||
| 64 | - | BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, | |
| 65 | - | Article – Corporations and Associations | |
| 66 | - | Section 5–637(b) | |
| 67 | - | Annotated Code of Maryland | |
| 68 | - | (2014 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) | |
| 31 | + | CHAPTER ______ | |
| 69 | 32 | ||
| 70 | - | BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, | |
| 71 | - | Article – Public Utilities | |
| 72 | - | Section 7–510.3(j)(2) | |
| 73 | - | Annotated Code of Maryland | |
| 74 | - | (2020 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) | |
| 33 | + | AN ACT concerning 1 | |
| 75 | 34 | ||
| 76 | - | BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, | |
| 77 | - | Article – State Government | |
| 78 | - | Section 9–20B–05(f)(4) | |
| 79 | - | Annotated Code of Maryland | |
| 80 | - | (2021 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) | |
| 35 | + | Energy Efficiency and Conservation Plans 2 | |
| 81 | 36 | ||
| 82 | - | SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, | |
| 83 | - | That Section(s) 7–211 and 7–211.1 of Article – Public Utilities of the Annotated Code of | |
| 84 | - | Maryland be repealed. | |
| 37 | + | FOR the purpose of requiring each electric company, each gas company, and the 3 | |
| 38 | + | Department of Housing and Community Development to develop a certain plan for 4 | |
| 39 | + | achieving certain energy efficiency, conservation, and greenhouse gas emissions 5 | |
| 40 | + | reduction targets through certain programs and services and superseding certain 6 | |
| 41 | + | existing energy efficiency and conservation goals; requiring the Public Service 7 | |
| 42 | + | Commission to encourage and promote the efficient use and conservation of energy 8 | |
| 43 | + | in support of certain greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals and targets in a 9 | |
| 44 | + | certain manner, including by requiring municipal electric or gas utilities and small 10 | |
| 45 | + | rural certain electric cooperatives to include certain programs or services as part of 11 | |
| 46 | + | their service to their customers as directed by the Commission; requiring the 12 | |
| 47 | + | Commission to require certain electric companies and certain gas companies to 13 | |
| 48 | + | include a certain disclosure on customer bills; requiring the Commission to establish 14 | |
| 49 | + | and determine certain greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets; requiring certain 15 2 HOUSE BILL 864 | |
| 85 | 50 | ||
| 86 | - | SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That Section(s) 7 –211.2 of Article | |
| 87 | - | – Public Utilities of the Annotated Code of Maryland be renumbered to be Section(s) 7–315. | |
| 88 | 51 | ||
| 89 | - | SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the new part designation | |
| 90 | - | “Part I. In General” be added to immediately precede Section 7–201 of Article – Public | |
| 91 | - | Utilities of the Annotated Code of Maryland. | |
| 52 | + | contractors used for certain programs under this Act to meet certain job 1 | |
| 53 | + | requirements; requiring the Department of Housing and Community Development 2 | |
| 54 | + | to develop a plan to coordinate and leverage funding sources to support certain 3 | |
| 55 | + | energy efficiency and other home upgrades; requiring the Department of the 4 | |
| 56 | + | Environment to prepare and submit to the Commission a certain analysis; requiring 5 | |
| 57 | + | each electric company and each gas company to promote certain rebates, tax credits, 6 | |
| 58 | + | and incentives; requiring the certification agency designated by the Board of Public 7 | |
| 59 | + | Works and the Governor’s Office of Small, Minority, and Women Business Affairs, 8 | |
| 60 | + | in consultation with the Department of Housing and Community Development, the 9 | |
| 61 | + | Office of the Attorney General, and the General Assembly to study certain energy 10 | |
| 62 | + | efficiency and conservation services and submit its findings on or before a certain 11 | |
| 63 | + | date; requiring the Commission to establish a certain working group to study and 12 | |
| 64 | + | make recommendations on extending certain program assistance to certain 13 | |
| 65 | + | moderate–income households; and generally relating to the efficient use and 14 | |
| 66 | + | conservation of energy in support of greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals and 15 | |
| 67 | + | targets. 16 | |
| 92 | 68 | ||
| 93 | - | SECTION 4. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Laws of Maryland read | |
| 94 | - | as follows: | |
| 69 | + | BY repealing 17 | |
| 70 | + | Article – Public Utilities 18 | |
| 71 | + | Section 7–211 and 7–211.1 19 | |
| 72 | + | Annotated Code of Maryland 20 | |
| 73 | + | (2020 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 21 | |
| 95 | 74 | ||
| 96 | - | Article – Corporations and Associations | |
| 97 | - | WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 539 | |
| 75 | + | BY renumbering 22 | |
| 76 | + | Article – Public Utilities 23 | |
| 77 | + | Section 7–211.2 24 | |
| 78 | + | to be Section 7–315 25 | |
| 79 | + | Annotated Code of Maryland 26 | |
| 80 | + | (2020 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 27 | |
| 98 | 81 | ||
| 99 | - | – 3 – | |
| 100 | - | 5–637. | |
| 82 | + | BY adding to 28 | |
| 83 | + | Article – Public Utilities 29 | |
| 84 | + | The new part designation “Part I. In General” to immediately precede Section 7–201; 30 | |
| 85 | + | and Section 7–220 through 7–228 to be under the new part “Part II. Energy 31 | |
| 86 | + | Efficiency and Conservation Plans” 32 | |
| 87 | + | Annotated Code of Maryland 33 | |
| 88 | + | (2020 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 34 | |
| 101 | 89 | ||
| 102 | - | (b) A member–regulated cooperative is subject to the following provisions of the | |
| 103 | - | Public Utilities Article: | |
| 90 | + | BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 35 | |
| 91 | + | Article – Corporations and Associations 36 | |
| 92 | + | Section 5–637(b) 37 | |
| 93 | + | Annotated Code of Maryland 38 | |
| 94 | + | (2014 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 39 | |
| 104 | 95 | ||
| 105 | - | (1) § 5–103; | |
| 96 | + | BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 40 | |
| 97 | + | Article – Public Utilities 41 | |
| 98 | + | Section 7–510.3(j)(2) 42 HOUSE BILL 864 3 | |
| 106 | 99 | ||
| 107 | - | (2) § 5–201; | |
| 108 | 100 | ||
| 109 | - | (3) § 5–202; | |
| 101 | + | Annotated Code of Maryland 1 | |
| 102 | + | (2020 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 2 | |
| 110 | 103 | ||
| 111 | - | (4) § 5–303; | |
| 104 | + | BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 3 | |
| 105 | + | Article – State Government 4 | |
| 106 | + | Section 9–20B–05(f)(4) 5 | |
| 107 | + | Annotated Code of Maryland 6 | |
| 108 | + | (2021 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 7 | |
| 112 | 109 | ||
| 113 | - | (5) § 5–304; | |
| 110 | + | SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 8 | |
| 111 | + | That Section(s) 7–211 and 7–211.1 of Article – Public Utilities of the Annotated Code of 9 | |
| 112 | + | Maryland be repealed. 10 | |
| 114 | 113 | ||
| 115 | - | (6) § 5–306; | |
| 114 | + | SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That Section(s) 7 –211.2 of Article 11 | |
| 115 | + | – Public Utilities of the Annotated Code of Maryland be renumbered to be Section(s) 7–315. 12 | |
| 116 | 116 | ||
| 117 | - | (7) § 7–103; | |
| 117 | + | SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the new part designation 13 | |
| 118 | + | “Part I. In General” be added to immediately precede Section 7–201 of Article – Public 14 | |
| 119 | + | Utilities of the Annotated Code of Maryland. 15 | |
| 118 | 120 | ||
| 119 | - | (8) § 7–104; | |
| 121 | + | SECTION 4. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Laws of Maryland read 16 | |
| 122 | + | as follows: 17 | |
| 120 | 123 | ||
| 121 | - | ||
| 124 | + | Article – Corporations and Associations 18 | |
| 122 | 125 | ||
| 123 | - | ||
| 126 | + | 5–637. 19 | |
| 124 | 127 | ||
| 125 | - | (11) TITLE 7, SUBTITLE 2, PART II; | |
| 128 | + | (b) A member–regulated cooperative is subject to the following provisions of the 20 | |
| 129 | + | Public Utilities Article: 21 | |
| 126 | 130 | ||
| 127 | - | ( | |
| 131 | + | (1) § 5–103; 22 | |
| 128 | 132 | ||
| 129 | - | ||
| 133 | + | (2) § 5–201; 23 | |
| 130 | 134 | ||
| 131 | - | ||
| 135 | + | (3) § 5–202; 24 | |
| 132 | 136 | ||
| 133 | - | ||
| 137 | + | (4) § 5–303; 25 | |
| 134 | 138 | ||
| 135 | - | ||
| 139 | + | (5) § 5–304; 26 | |
| 136 | 140 | ||
| 137 | - | ||
| 141 | + | (6) § 5–306; 27 | |
| 138 | 142 | ||
| 139 | - | 7– | |
| 143 | + | (7) § 7–103; 28 | |
| 140 | 144 | ||
| 141 | - | ||
| 145 | + | (8) § 7–104; 29 | |
| 142 | 146 | ||
| 143 | - | 7–220. | |
| 144 | - | Ch. 539 2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND | |
| 147 | + | (9) § 7–203; 30 4 HOUSE BILL 864 | |
| 145 | 148 | ||
| 146 | - | – 4 – | |
| 147 | - | (A) IN THIS PART THE FOLL OWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS | |
| 148 | - | INDICATED. | |
| 149 | 149 | ||
| 150 | - | (B) “BEHIND–THE–METER PROGRAM ” MEANS A PROGRAM THAT I MPACTS | |
| 151 | - | THE CUSTOMER SIDE OF THE UTILITY METER . | |
| 152 | 150 | ||
| 153 | - | (C) “BENEFICIAL ELECTRIFIC ATION” MEANS THE REPLACEMEN T OF THE | |
| 154 | - | DIRECT USE OF FOSSIL FUELS IN BUIL DINGS WITH THE USE OF ELECTRICITY IN A | |
| 155 | - | MANNER THAT: | |
| 151 | + | (10) § 7–207; 1 | |
| 156 | 152 | ||
| 157 | - | ( | |
| 153 | + | (11) TITLE 7, SUBTITLE 2, PART II; 2 | |
| 158 | 154 | ||
| 159 | - | ( | |
| 155 | + | (12) § 7–302; 3 | |
| 160 | 156 | ||
| 161 | - | (3) ENABLES BETTER MANAG EMENT OF THE ELECTRI C | |
| 162 | - | DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM . | |
| 157 | + | [(12)] (13) Title 7, Subtitle 5, Part I and Part II; 4 | |
| 163 | 158 | ||
| 164 | - | (D) “CARBON DIOXIDE EQUIVA LENT” MEANS THE MEASUREMEN T OF A | |
| 165 | - | GIVEN WEIGHT OF A GR EENHOUSE GAS THAT HA S THE SAME GLOBAL WARMING | |
| 166 | - | POTENTIAL, MEASURED OVER A SPEC IFIC PERIOD OF TIME , AS 1 METRIC TON OF | |
| 167 | - | CARBON DIOXIDE . | |
| 159 | + | [(13)] (14) Title 7, Subtitle 7; and 5 | |
| 168 | 160 | ||
| 169 | - | (E) “DEMAND RESPONSE PROGR AM” MEANS A PROGRAM ESTA BLISHED BY | |
| 170 | - | AN ELECTRIC COMPANY , AN ELECTRICITY SUPPL IER, OR A THIRD PARTY THA T | |
| 171 | - | PROMOTES CHANGES IN ELECTRIC U SAGE BY CUSTOMERS FR OM THEIR NORMAL | |
| 172 | - | CONSUMPTION PATTERNS IN RESPONSE TO: | |
| 161 | + | [(14)] (15) § 13–101. 6 | |
| 173 | 162 | ||
| 174 | - | ||
| 163 | + | Article – Public Utilities 7 | |
| 175 | 164 | ||
| 176 | - | ||
| 165 | + | 7–218. RESERVED. 8 | |
| 177 | 166 | ||
| 178 | - | (I) INDUCE LOWER ELECTRI CITY USE AT TIMES OF HIGH | |
| 179 | - | WHOLESALE MARKET PRI CES; OR | |
| 167 | + | 7–219. RESERVED. 9 | |
| 180 | 168 | ||
| 181 | - | ||
| 169 | + | PART II. ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND CONSERVATION PLANS. 10 | |
| 182 | 170 | ||
| 183 | - | (F) “DEPARTMENT ” MEANS THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND | |
| 184 | - | COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT . | |
| 171 | + | 7–220. 11 | |
| 185 | 172 | ||
| 186 | - | ( | |
| 187 | - | ||
| 173 | + | (A) IN THIS PART THE FOLL OWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS 12 | |
| 174 | + | INDICATED. 13 | |
| 188 | 175 | ||
| 189 | - | ( | |
| 190 | - | ||
| 176 | + | (B) “BEHIND–THE–METER PROGRAM ” MEANS A PROGRAM THAT IMPACTS 14 | |
| 177 | + | THE CUSTOMER SIDE OF THE UTILITY METER . 15 | |
| 191 | 178 | ||
| 192 | - | – 5 – | |
| 193 | - | (1) IS SEPARATE FROM FRO NT–OF–METER UTILITY PROGRA MS; | |
| 179 | + | (C) “BENEFICIAL ELECTRIFIC ATION” MEANS THE REPLACEMEN T OF THE 16 | |
| 180 | + | DIRECT USE OF FOSSIL FUELS IN BUIL DINGS WITH THE USE OF ELECTRICITY IN A 17 | |
| 181 | + | MANNER THAT: 18 | |
| 194 | 182 | ||
| 195 | - | ( | |
| 183 | + | (1) REDUCES OVERALL LIFE TIME GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS; 19 | |
| 196 | 184 | ||
| 197 | - | ( | |
| 185 | + | (2) REDUCES CUSTOMERS ’ ENERGY COSTS ; OR 20 | |
| 198 | 186 | ||
| 199 | - | ( | |
| 200 | - | ||
| 187 | + | (3) ENABLES BETTER MANAG EMENT OF THE ELECTRI C 21 | |
| 188 | + | DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM . 22 | |
| 201 | 189 | ||
| 202 | - | (J) “GREENHOUSE GAS ” INCLUDES: | |
| 190 | + | (D) “CARBON DIOXIDE EQUIVA LENT” MEANS THE MEASUREMEN T OF A 23 | |
| 191 | + | GIVEN WEIGHT OF A GR EENHOUSE GAS THAT HA S THE SAME GLOBA L WARMING 24 | |
| 192 | + | POTENTIAL, MEASURED OVER A SPEC IFIC PERIOD OF TIME , AS 1 METRIC TON OF 25 | |
| 193 | + | CARBON DIOXIDE . 26 | |
| 194 | + | HOUSE BILL 864 5 | |
| 203 | 195 | ||
| 204 | - | (1) CARBON DIOXIDE ; | |
| 205 | 196 | ||
| 206 | - | (2) METHANE; | |
| 197 | + | (E) “DEMAND RESPONSE PROGR AM” MEANS A PROGRAM ESTA BLISHED BY 1 | |
| 198 | + | AN ELECTRIC COMPANY , AN ELECTRICITY SUPPL IER, OR A THIRD PARTY THA T 2 | |
| 199 | + | PROMOTES CHANGES IN ELECTRIC USAGE BY CUSTOMERS F ROM THEIR NORMAL 3 | |
| 200 | + | CONSUMPTION PATTERNS IN RESPONSE TO: 4 | |
| 207 | 201 | ||
| 208 | - | ( | |
| 202 | + | (1) CHANGES IN THE PRICE OF ELECTRICITY OVER TIME; OR 5 | |
| 209 | 203 | ||
| 210 | - | ( | |
| 204 | + | (2) INCENTIVES DESIGNED TO: 6 | |
| 211 | 205 | ||
| 212 | - | (5) PERFLUOROCARBONS ; AND | |
| 206 | + | (I) INDUCE LOWER ELECTRI CITY USE AT TIMES OF HIGH 7 | |
| 207 | + | WHOLESALE MARKET PRI CES; OR 8 | |
| 213 | 208 | ||
| 214 | - | ( | |
| 209 | + | (II) ENSURE SYSTEM RELIABILITY . 9 | |
| 215 | 210 | ||
| 216 | - | (K) “GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS REDUCTION ” MEANS A REDUCTION IN | |
| 217 | - | GREENHOUSE GAS EMISS IONS, MEASURED IN METRIC T ONS OF CARBON DIOXID E | |
| 218 | - | EQUIVALENTS , INCLUDING: | |
| 211 | + | (F) “DEPARTMENT ” MEANS THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND 10 | |
| 212 | + | COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT . 11 | |
| 219 | 213 | ||
| 220 | - | ( | |
| 221 | - | ||
| 214 | + | (G) “ENERGY EFFICIENCY ” MEANS THE USE OF LES S ENERGY TO PERFORM 12 | |
| 215 | + | THE SAME TASK OR PRO DUCE THE SAME RESULT . 13 | |
| 222 | 216 | ||
| 223 | - | (2) LINE LOSSES FROM THE TRAN SMISSION AND DISTRIB UTION OF | |
| 224 | - | ELECTRICITY, REGARDLESS OF WHETHE R THE ELECTRICITY IS GENERATED IN THE | |
| 225 | - | STATE OR IMPORTED . | |
| 217 | + | (H) “FRONT–OF–METER COMMUNITY PROG RAM” MEANS A PROGRAM THAT : 14 | |
| 226 | 218 | ||
| 227 | - | (L) “LOW–INCOME PROGRAM ” MEANS A PROGRAM THAT DELIVERS ENERGY | |
| 228 | - | EFFICIENCY, CONSERVATION , AND GREENHOUSE GAS E MISSIONS REDUCTION | |
| 229 | - | MEASURES TO REDUCE U TILITY EXPENSES FOR BUILDING OWNERS , MANAGERS, AND | |
| 230 | - | TENANTS OF HOUSING W ITH RESIDENTS WHO QU ALIFY FOR THE DEPARTMENT ’S | |
| 231 | - | LOW–INCOME ASSISTANCE PR OGRAMS, INCLUDING: | |
| 219 | + | (1) IS SEPARATE FROM FRO NT–OF–METER UTILITY PROGRA MS; 15 | |
| 232 | 220 | ||
| 233 | - | (1) THE EMPOWER MARYLAND LIMITED INCOME ENERGY | |
| 234 | - | EFFICIENCY PROGRAM; | |
| 235 | - | Ch. 539 2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND | |
| 221 | + | (2) IMPACTS THE UTILITY SIDE OF THE METER ; AND 16 | |
| 236 | 222 | ||
| 237 | - | – 6 – | |
| 238 | - | (2) THE MULTIFAMILY ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND HOUSING | |
| 239 | - | AFFORDABILITY PROGRAM; AND | |
| 223 | + | (3) DIRECTLY BENEFITS A SET OF CUSTOMERS . 17 | |
| 240 | 224 | ||
| 241 | - | (3) THE WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. | |
| 225 | + | (I) “FRONT–OF–METER UTILITY PROGRA M” MEANS A PROGRAM THAT 18 | |
| 226 | + | IMPACTS THE UTILITY SIDE OF A METER AND BENEFITS ALL UTILITY CUSTOMERS . 19 | |
| 242 | 227 | ||
| 243 | - | (M) “LOW–INCOME RESIDENTIAL ” MEANS A COMMUNITY , BUILDING, OR | |
| 244 | - | HOUSEHOLD WITH RESID ENTS THAT: | |
| 228 | + | (J) “GREENHOUSE GAS ” INCLUDES: 20 | |
| 245 | 229 | ||
| 246 | - | (1) HAVE INCOMES BELOW 250% OF THE FEDERAL POVER TY LEVEL | |
| 247 | - | AS DETERMINED BY THE FEDERAL CENSUS ; OR | |
| 230 | + | (1) CARBON DIOXIDE ; 21 | |
| 248 | 231 | ||
| 249 | - | (2) MEET THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA APPROVED BY THE | |
| 250 | - | COMMISSION FOR LOW –INCOME PROGRAMS . | |
| 232 | + | (2) METHANE; 22 | |
| 251 | 233 | ||
| 252 | - | (N) “MIDSIZE ELECTRIC COOP ERATIVE” MEANS AN ELECTRIC | |
| 253 | - | COOPERATIVE , INCLUDING A MEMBER –REGULATED COOPERATIVE , THAT: | |
| 234 | + | (3) NITROUS OXIDE ; 23 | |
| 254 | 235 | ||
| 255 | - | (1) SERVES FEWER THAN 75,000 CUSTOMERS IN ITS DIS TRIBUTION | |
| 256 | - | TERRITORY; BUT | |
| 236 | + | (4) HYDROFLUOROCARBONS ; 24 | |
| 257 | 237 | ||
| 258 | - | ( | |
| 238 | + | (5) PERFLUOROCARBONS ; AND 25 | |
| 259 | 239 | ||
| 260 | - | (N) (O) “NONENERGY PROGRAM ” MEANS A PROGRAM WITH GREENHOUSE | |
| 261 | - | GAS EMISSIONS REDUCT ION BENEFITS THAT AR E PRIMARILY | |
| 262 | - | NONENERGY –BASED. | |
| 240 | + | (6) SULFUR HEXAF LUORIDE. 26 | |
| 241 | + | 6 HOUSE BILL 864 | |
| 263 | 242 | ||
| 264 | - | (O) (P) “PLAN” MEANS ANY COMBINATIO N OF BEHIND –THE–METER | |
| 265 | - | PROGRAMS, FRONT–OF–METER COMMUNITY PROG RAMS, FRONT–OF–METER | |
| 266 | - | UTILITY PROGRAM S, OR NONENERGY PROGRAM S THAT: | |
| 267 | 243 | ||
| 268 | - | ( | |
| 269 | - | ||
| 270 | - | ||
| 244 | + | (K) “GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSI ONS REDUCTION ” MEANS A REDUCTION IN 1 | |
| 245 | + | GREENHOUSE GAS EMISS IONS, MEASURED IN METRIC T ONS OF CARBON DIOXID E 2 | |
| 246 | + | EQUIVALENTS , INCLUDING: 3 | |
| 271 | 247 | ||
| 272 | - | (2) INCLUDE A COST RECOV ERY PROPOSAL . | |
| 248 | + | (1) GREENHOUSE GAS EMISS IONS FROM THE GENERA TION OF 4 | |
| 249 | + | ELECTRICITY DELIVERE D TO AND CONSUMED IN THE STATE; AND 5 | |
| 273 | 250 | ||
| 274 | - | (P) (Q) “TASK FORCE” MEANS THE GREEN AND HEALTHY TASK FORCE | |
| 275 | - | ESTABLISHED UNDER § 7–315 OF THIS TITLE. | |
| 251 | + | (2) LINE LOSSES FROM THE TRANSMISSION AND DIS TRIBUTION OF 6 | |
| 252 | + | ELECTRICITY, REGARDLESS OF WHETHE R THE ELECTRICITY IS GENERATED IN THE 7 | |
| 253 | + | STATE OR IMPORTED . 8 | |
| 276 | 254 | ||
| 277 | - | 7–221. | |
| 255 | + | (L) “LOW–INCOME PROGRAM ” MEANS A PROGRAM THAT DELIVERS ENERGY 9 | |
| 256 | + | EFFICIENCY, CONSERVATION , AND GREENHOUSE GAS E MISSIONS REDUCTION 10 | |
| 257 | + | MEASURES TO REDUCE U TILITY EXPENSES FOR BUILDING OWNERS , MANAGERS, AND 11 | |
| 258 | + | TENANTS OF HOUSING W ITH RESIDENTS WHO QU ALIFY FOR THE DEPARTMENT ’S 12 | |
| 259 | + | LOW–INCOME ASSISTANCE PR OGRAMS, INCLUDING: 13 | |
| 278 | 260 | ||
| 279 | - | THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FINDS AND DE CLARES THAT ENERGY E FFICIENCY | |
| 280 | - | IS: | |
| 281 | - | WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 539 | |
| 261 | + | (1) THE EMPOWER MARYLAND LIMITED INCOME ENERGY 14 | |
| 262 | + | EFFICIENCY PROGRAM; 15 | |
| 282 | 263 | ||
| 283 | - | – 7 – | |
| 284 | - | (1) AMONG THE LEAST EXPE NSIVE WAYS TO MEET T HE ENERGY | |
| 285 | - | DEMANDS OF THE STATE; | |
| 264 | + | (2) THE MULTIFAMILY ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND HOUSING 16 | |
| 265 | + | AFFORDABILITY PROGRAM; AND 17 | |
| 286 | 266 | ||
| 287 | - | (2) A MEANS OF AFFORDABL E, RELIABLE, AND CLEAN ENERGY FOR | |
| 288 | - | CONSUMERS OF MARYLAND; AND | |
| 267 | + | (3) THE WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. 18 | |
| 289 | 268 | ||
| 290 | - | (3) ONE METHOD TO ACHIEV E MARYLAND’S CLIMATE COMMITMENT S | |
| 291 | - | FOR REDUCING STATEWI DE GREENHOUSE GAS EM ISSIONS, INCLUDING THOSE | |
| 292 | - | SPECIFIED IN REQUIRED UNDER TITLE 2, SUBTITLE 12 OF THE ENVIRONMENT | |
| 293 | - | ARTICLE. | |
| 269 | + | (M) “LOW–INCOME RESIDENTIAL ” MEANS A COMMUNITY , BUILDING, OR 19 | |
| 270 | + | HOUSEHOLD WITH RESI DENTS THAT: 20 | |
| 294 | 271 | ||
| 295 | - | 7–222. | |
| 272 | + | (1) HAVE INCOMES BELOW 250% OF THE FEDERAL POVER TY LEVEL 21 | |
| 273 | + | AS DETERMINED BY THE FEDERAL CENSUS ; OR 22 | |
| 296 | 274 | ||
| 297 | - | (A) SUBJECT TO REVIEW AND APPROVAL BY THE COMMISSION, EACH | |
| 298 | - | ELECTRIC COMPANY , EACH GAS COMPANY OTHER THAN A GAS COM PANY SUBJECT | |
| 299 | - | TO § 4–207(A) OF THIS ARTICLE , AND THE DEPARTMENT , AND, IF REQUIRED IN | |
| 300 | - | ACCORDANCE WITH SUBS ECTION (C) OF THIS SECTION, EACH MIDSIZE ELECTRI C | |
| 301 | - | COOPERATIVE SHALL DEVELOP AND IM PLEMENT PROGRAMS AND SERVICES IN | |
| 302 | - | ACCORDANCE WITH §§ 7–223, 7–224, AND 7–225 OF THIS SUBTITLE TO ENCOURAGE | |
| 303 | - | AND PROMOTE THE EFFI CIENT USE AND CONSER VATION OF ENERGY , DEMAND | |
| 304 | - | RESPONSE, AND BENEFICI AL ELECTRIFICATION BY CONSUMERS , ELECTRIC | |
| 305 | - | COMPANIES, GAS COMPANIES , AND THE DEPARTMENT IN SUPPORT OF THE | |
| 306 | - | GREENHOUSE GAS EMISS IONS REDUCTION GOALS AND TARGETS SPECIFIED IN | |
| 307 | - | REQUIRED UNDER TITLE 2, SUBTITLE 12 OF THE ENVIRONMENT ARTICLE. | |
| 275 | + | (2) MEET THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA APPROVED BY THE 23 | |
| 276 | + | COMMISSION FOR LOW –INCOME PROGRAMS . 24 | |
| 308 | 277 | ||
| 309 | - | (B) AS DIRECTED BY THE COMMISSION, EACH GAS COMPANY SUB JECT TO § | |
| 310 | - | 4–207(A) OF THIS ARTICLE, EACH MUNICIPAL ELECT RIC OR GAS UTILITY, AND EACH | |
| 311 | - | SMALL RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE , AND, IF REQUIRED IN ACCOR DANCE WITH | |
| 312 | - | SUBSECTION (C) OF THIS SECTION , EACH MIDSIZE ELECT RIC COOPERATIVE SHALL | |
| 313 | - | INCLUDE ENERGY EFFIC IENCY AND CONSERVATI ON, DEMAND RESPONSE , AND | |
| 314 | - | BENEFICIAL ELECTRIFI CATION PROGRAMS OR SERVICES AS PART OF THEIR | |
| 315 | - | SERVICE TO THEIR CUS TOMERS. | |
| 278 | + | (N) “MIDSIZE ELECTRIC COOP ERATIVE” MEANS AN ELECTRIC 25 | |
| 279 | + | COOPERATIVE , INCLUDING A MEMBER –REGULATED COOPERATIV E, THAT: 26 | |
| 316 | 280 | ||
| 317 | - | (C) (1) IN ACCORDANCE WITH TH IS SUBSECTION , EACH MIDSIZE | |
| 318 | - | ELECTRIC COOPERAT IVE SHALL BE SUBJECT TO EITHER SUBSECTION (A) OR | |
| 319 | - | SUBSECTION (B) OF THIS SECTION. | |
| 281 | + | (1) SERVES FEWER THAN 75,000 CUSTOMERS IN ITS DIS TRIBUTION 27 | |
| 282 | + | TERRITORY; BUT 28 | |
| 320 | 283 | ||
| 321 | - | (2) | |
| 322 | - | ||
| 284 | + | (2) IS NOT A SMALL RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE . 29 | |
| 285 | + | HOUSE BILL 864 7 | |
| 323 | 286 | ||
| 324 | - | (I) SUBSECTION (B) OF THIS SECTION THRO UGH DECEMBER 31, | |
| 325 | - | 2026; AND | |
| 326 | - | Ch. 539 2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND | |
| 327 | 287 | ||
| 328 | - | ||
| 329 | - | ||
| 330 | - | ||
| 288 | + | (N) (O) “NONENERGY PROGRAM ” MEANS A PROGRAM WITH GREENHOUSE 1 | |
| 289 | + | GAS EMISSIONS REDUCT ION BENEFITS THAT AR E PRIMARILY 2 | |
| 290 | + | NONENERGY –BASED. 3 | |
| 331 | 291 | ||
| 332 | - | (3) NOT LATER THAN OCTOBER 1, 2025, THE COMMISSION SHALL | |
| 333 | - | DETERMINE IF IT IS I N THE PUBLIC INTERES T FOR A MIDSIZE ELEC TRIC | |
| 334 | - | COOPERATIVE TO OFFER PROGRAMS AND SERVICE S TO CUSTOMERS IN AC CORDANCE | |
| 335 | - | WITH SUBSECTION (A) OR SUBSECTION (B) OF THIS SECTION STAR TING JANUARY 1, | |
| 336 | - | 2027, AND FOR ALL SUBSEQUE NT YEARS. | |
| 292 | + | (O) (P) “PLAN” MEANS ANY COMBINATIO N OF BEHIND –THE–METER 4 | |
| 293 | + | PROGRAMS, FRONT–OF–METER COMMUNITY PROG RAMS, FRONT–OF–METER 5 | |
| 294 | + | UTILITY PROGRAMS, OR NONENERGY PROGRAM S THAT: 6 | |
| 337 | 295 | ||
| 338 | - | ( | |
| 339 | - | ||
| 340 | - | ||
| 296 | + | (1) ACHIEVE GREENHOUSE G AS EMISSIONS REDUCTI ONS THROUGH 7 | |
| 297 | + | ENERGY EFFICIENCY , CONSERVATION , DEMAND RESPONSE , AND BENEFICIAL 8 | |
| 298 | + | ELECTRIFICATION ; AND 9 | |
| 341 | 299 | ||
| 342 | - | ( | |
| 300 | + | (2) INCLUDE A COST RECOV ERY PROPOSAL . 10 | |
| 343 | 301 | ||
| 344 | - | ( | |
| 345 | - | ||
| 302 | + | (P) (Q) “TASK FORCE” MEANS THE GREEN AND HEALTHY TASK FORCE 11 | |
| 303 | + | ESTABLISHED UNDER § 7–315 OF THIS TITLE. 12 | |
| 346 | 304 | ||
| 347 | - | (III) THE ANTICIPATED COST –EFFECTIVENESS OF THE | |
| 348 | - | RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL , AND INDUSTRIAL SECTO R SUBPORTFOLIOS BASE D ON | |
| 349 | - | THE COST–EFFECTIVENESS TESTS IN § 7–225(D)(3)(I) OF THIS SUBTITLE; | |
| 305 | + | 7–221. 13 | |
| 350 | 306 | ||
| 351 | - | ||
| 352 | - | ||
| 307 | + | THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FINDS AND DE CLARES THAT ENERGY E FFICIENCY 14 | |
| 308 | + | IS: 15 | |
| 353 | 309 | ||
| 354 | - | (V) ANY OTHER INFORMATIO N THE COMMISSION REQUIRES . | |
| 310 | + | (1) AMONG THE LEAST EXPE NSIVE WAYS TO MEET T HE ENERGY 16 | |
| 311 | + | DEMANDS OF THE STATE; 17 | |
| 355 | 312 | ||
| 356 | - | (5) THE INFORMATION PROVI DED TO THE COMMISSION UNDER | |
| 357 | - | PARAGRAPH (4) OF THIS SUBSECTION S HALL BE BASED ON A P LAN TO OFFER | |
| 358 | - | PROGRAMS AND SERVICE S TO CUSTOMERS THAT COMPLIES WITH THE | |
| 359 | - | REQUIREMENTS OF AN E LECTRIC COMPANY SUBJ ECT TO SUBSECTION (A) OF THIS | |
| 360 | - | SECTION FOR THE 3–YEAR PROGRAM CYCLE S TARTING JANUARY 1, 2027. | |
| 313 | + | (2) A MEANS OF AFFORDABL E, RELIABLE, AND CLEAN ENERGY FOR 18 | |
| 314 | + | CONSUMERS OF MARYLAND; AND 19 | |
| 361 | 315 | ||
| 362 | - | (6) WHEN MAKING A PUBLIC INTEREST DETERMINATI ON UNDER | |
| 363 | - | PARAGRAPH (3) OF THIS SUBSECTION T HE COMMISSION, AT A MINIMUM , SHALL | |
| 364 | - | CONSIDER THE REQUIRE MENTS UNDER § 7–225(D)(3) OF THIS SUBTITLE THA T ARE | |
| 365 | - | CONSIDERED WHEN APPR OVING A PLAN OF AN E LECTRIC COMPANY THAT IS SUBJECT | |
| 366 | - | TO SUBSECTION (A) OF THIS SECTION. | |
| 316 | + | (3) ONE METHOD TO ACHIEV E MARYLAND’S CLIMATE COMMITMENT S 20 | |
| 317 | + | FOR REDUCING STATEWI DE GREENHOUSE GAS EM ISSIONS, INCLUDING THOSE 21 | |
| 318 | + | SPECIFIED IN REQUIRED UNDER TITLE 2, SUBTITLE 12 OF THE ENVIRONMENT 22 | |
| 319 | + | ARTICLE. 23 | |
| 367 | 320 | ||
| 368 | - | (7) STARTING OCTOBER 1, 2025, IF THE COMMISSION DETERMINES | |
| 369 | - | THAT IT IS IN THE PU BLIC INTEREST FOR A MIDSIZE ELECTRIC COO PERATIVE TO BE | |
| 370 | - | SUBJECT TO SUBSECTIO N (A) OF THIS SECTION , THE MIDSIZE ELECTRIC | |
| 371 | - | COOPERATIVE SHALL CO MPLY WITH ALL REQUIR EMENTS OF AN ELECTRI C COMPANY WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 539 | |
| 321 | + | 7–222. 24 | |
| 372 | 322 | ||
| 373 | - | – 9 – | |
| 374 | - | SUBJECT TO SUBSECTIO N (A) OF THIS SECTION FOR PROGRAM CYCLES START ING ON | |
| 375 | - | AND AFTER JANUARY 1, 2027. | |
| 323 | + | (A) SUBJECT TO REVIEW AND APPROVAL BY THE COMMISSION, EACH 25 | |
| 324 | + | ELECTRIC COMPANY , EACH GAS COMPANY OTHER THAN A GAS COM PANY SUBJECT 26 | |
| 325 | + | TO § 4–207(A) OF THIS ARTICLE , AND THE DEPARTMENT , AND, IF REQUIRED IN 27 | |
| 326 | + | ACCORDANCE WITH SUBS ECTION (C) OF THIS SECT ION, EACH MIDSIZE ELECTRI C 28 | |
| 327 | + | COOPERATIVE SHALL DEVELOP AND IM PLEMENT PROGRAMS AND SERVICES IN 29 | |
| 328 | + | ACCORDANCE WITH §§ 7–223, 7–224, AND 7–225 OF THIS SUBTITLE TO ENCOURAGE 30 | |
| 329 | + | AND PROMOTE THE EFFI CIENT USE AND CONSER VATION OF ENERGY , DEMAND 31 | |
| 330 | + | RESPONSE, AND BENEFICIAL ELECTRIFICATION BY CONSUMERS , ELECTRIC 32 | |
| 331 | + | COMPANIES, GAS COMPANIES , AND THE DEPARTMENT IN SUPPORT OF THE 33 8 HOUSE BILL 864 | |
| 376 | 332 | ||
| 377 | - | (8) ON OR BEFORE MARCH 1 EACH YEAR, STARTING IN 2026, EACH | |
| 378 | - | MIDSIZE ELECTRIC COO PERATIVE DIRECTED BY THE COMMISSION TO INCLUDE | |
| 379 | - | PROGRAMS OR SERVICES UNDER SUBSECTION (B) OF THIS SECTION SHAL L SUBMIT | |
| 380 | - | TO THE COMMISSION A REPORT Q UANTIFYING THE GAINS IN ENERGY EFFIC IENCY | |
| 381 | - | AND REDUCTIONS IN GR EENHOUSE GAS EMISSIO NS ACHIEVED DURING T HE | |
| 382 | - | PREVIOUS YEAR . | |
| 383 | 333 | ||
| 384 | - | (C) (D) THE COMMISSION SHALL ENCO URAGE AND PROMOTE TH E | |
| 385 | - | EFFICIENT USE AND CO NSERVATION OF ENERGY IN SUPPORT OF THE GR EENHOUSE | |
| 386 | - | GAS EMISSIONS REDUCT ION GOALS AND TARGET S SPECIFIED IN REQUIRED UNDER | |
| 387 | - | TITLE 2, SUBTITLE 12 OF THE ENVIRONMENT ARTICLE, ESTABLISHED BY THE | |
| 388 | - | COMMISSION UNDER § 7–223(B) OF THIS SUBTITLE, AND SPECIFIED IN § 7–224(A)(2) | |
| 389 | - | OF THIS SUBTITLE BY: | |
| 334 | + | GREENHOUSE GAS EMISS IONS REDUCTION GOALS AND TARGETS SPECIFIED IN 1 | |
| 335 | + | REQUIRED UNDER TITLE 2, SUBTITLE 12 OF THE ENVIRONMENT ARTICLE. 2 | |
| 390 | 336 | ||
| 391 | - | (1) REQUIRING EACH ELECT RIC COMPANY AND GAS COMPANY TO | |
| 392 | - | ESTABLISH ANY PROGRA M OR SERVICE THAT TH E COMMISSION DETERMINES TO BE | |
| 393 | - | APPROPRIATE AND COST –EFFECTIVE; | |
| 337 | + | (B) AS DIRECTED BY THE COMMISSION, EACH GAS COMPANY SUB JECT TO § 3 | |
| 338 | + | 4–207(A) OF THIS ARTICLE, EACH MUNICIPAL ELECT RIC OR GAS UTILITY, AND EACH 4 | |
| 339 | + | SMALL RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE , AND, IF REQUIRED IN ACCOR DANCE WITH 5 | |
| 340 | + | SUBSECTION (C) OF THIS SECTION , EACH MIDSIZE ELECTRI C COOPERATIVE SHALL 6 | |
| 341 | + | INCLUDE ENERGY EFFIC IENCY AND CONSERVATI ON, DEMAND RESPONSE , AND 7 | |
| 342 | + | BENEFICIAL ELECTRIFI CATION PROGRAMS OR SERVICES AS PART OF THEIR 8 | |
| 343 | + | SERVICE TO THEIR CUS TOMERS. 9 | |
| 394 | 344 | ||
| 395 | - | (2) ADOPTING RATE –MAKING POLICIES THAT PROVIDE, THROUGH A | |
| 396 | - | SURCHARGE LINE ITEM ON CUSTOMER BILLS : | |
| 345 | + | (C) (1) IN ACCORDANCE WITH TH IS SUBSECTION , EACH MIDSIZE 10 | |
| 346 | + | ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE SHALL BE SUBJECT TO EITHER SU BSECTION (A) OR 11 | |
| 347 | + | SUBSECTION (B) OF THIS SECTION. 12 | |
| 397 | 348 | ||
| 398 | - | (I) FULL COST RECOVERY OF REA SONABLY INCURRED COS TS | |
| 399 | - | FOR PROGRAMS AND SER VICES ESTABLISHED UN DER ITEM (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION , | |
| 400 | - | INCLUDING FULL RECOV ERY ON A CURRENT BAS IS ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 1, 2028; | |
| 349 | + | (2) EACH MIDSIZE ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE SHALL OF FER PROGRAMS 13 | |
| 350 | + | AND SERVICES TO CUST OMERS IN ACCORDANCE WITH: 14 | |
| 401 | 351 | ||
| 402 | - | ( | |
| 403 | - | ||
| 352 | + | (I) SUBSECTION (B) OF THIS SECTION THRO UGH DECEMBER 31, 15 | |
| 353 | + | 2026; AND 16 | |
| 404 | 354 | ||
| 405 | - | 1. A. EXISTED ON DECEMBER 31, 2024; OR | |
| 355 | + | (II) ON OR AFTER JANUARY 1, 2027, AND AS THE COMMISSION 17 | |
| 356 | + | DIRECTS, EITHER SUBSECTION (A) OR SUBSECTION (B) OF THIS SECTION. 18 | |
| 406 | 357 | ||
| 407 | - | B. WERE INCURRED BEFORE JANUARY 1, 2028; AND | |
| 358 | + | (3) NOT LATER THAN OCTOBER 1, 2025, THE COMMISSION SHALL 19 | |
| 359 | + | DETERMINE IF IT IS I N THE PUBLIC INTERES T FOR A MIDSIZE ELEC TRIC 20 | |
| 360 | + | COOPERATIVE TO OFFER PROGRAMS AND S ERVICES TO CUSTOMERS IN ACCORDANCE 21 | |
| 361 | + | WITH SUBSECTION (A) OR SUBSECTION (B) OF THIS SECTION STAR TING JANUARY 1, 22 | |
| 362 | + | 2027, AND FOR ALL SUBSEQUE NT YEARS. 23 | |
| 408 | 363 | ||
| 409 | - | 2. WERE ACCRUED FOR THE PURPOSE OF ACHIEVING | |
| 410 | - | STATUTORY TARGETS FO R ANNUAL INCREMENTAL GROSS ENERGY SAVINGS ; | |
| 364 | + | (4) EACH MIDSIZE ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE SHALL PR OVIDE THE 24 | |
| 365 | + | FOLLOWING INFORMATIO N TO THE COMMISSION TO ASSIST I N MAKING A 25 | |
| 366 | + | DETERMINATION UNDER PARAGRAPH (3) OF THIS SUBSECTION : 26 | |
| 411 | 367 | ||
| 412 | - | (III) COMPENSATION FOR ANY UNPAID COSTS AND | |
| 413 | - | UNAMORTIZED COSTS UN DER ITEM (II) OF THIS ITEM AT NOT MORE THAN EACH | |
| 414 | - | ELECTRIC COMPANY ’S AND EACH GAS COMPA NY’S AVERAGE COST OF OU TSTANDING | |
| 415 | - | DEBT; AND | |
| 416 | - | Ch. 539 2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND | |
| 368 | + | (I) ANTICIPATED COSTS AN D BILL IMPACTS; 27 | |
| 417 | 369 | ||
| 418 | - | – 10 – | |
| 419 | - | (IV) REASONABLE FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE INCENTIV ES AND | |
| 420 | - | PENALTIES FOR INVEST OR–OWNED ELECTRIC COMPA NIES AND GAS COMPANIES , AS | |
| 421 | - | APPROPRIATE ; AND | |
| 370 | + | (II) A DESCRIPTION OF THE ANTICIPATED PROGRAM 28 | |
| 371 | + | OFFERINGS; 29 | |
| 422 | 372 | ||
| 423 | - | (3) ENSURING THAT ADOPTI ON OF ELECTRIC CUSTO MER CHOICE | |
| 424 | - | UNDER SUBTITLE 5 OF THIS TITLE AND GA S CUSTOMER CHOICE UN DER SUBTITLE 6 | |
| 425 | - | OF THIS TITLE DOES N OT ADVERSELY IMPACT THESE GOALS AND TARG ETS. | |
| 373 | + | (III) THE ANTICIPATED COST –EFFECTIVENESS OF THE 30 | |
| 374 | + | RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL, AND INDUSTRIAL SECTO R SUBPORTFOLIOS BASE D ON 31 | |
| 375 | + | THE COST–EFFECTIVENESS TESTS IN § 7–225(D)(3)(I) OF THIS SUBTITLE; 32 | |
| 376 | + | HOUSE BILL 864 9 | |
| 426 | 377 | ||
| 427 | - | (E) THE COMMISSION SHALL, BY REGULATION OR ORD ER, REQUIRE EACH | |
| 428 | - | ELECTRIC COMPANY AND EACH GAS COMPANY SUB JECT TO SUBSECTION (A) OF THIS | |
| 429 | - | SECTION THAT HAS SUB MITTED TO THE COMMISSION, ON OR BEFORE JULY 1, 2024, | |
| 430 | - | A PLAN FOR ACHIEVING ELECTRICITY OR GAS S AVINGS AND DEMAND RE DUCTION | |
| 431 | - | TARGETS TO DISCLOSE THE FOLLOWING INFORM ATION IN A FORM AND FORMAT | |
| 432 | - | READILY UNDERSTANDAB LE TO THE AVERAGE CU STOMER: | |
| 433 | 378 | ||
| 434 | - | (1) THAT THE SURCHARGE I MPOSED IN ACCORDANCE WITH | |
| 435 | - | SUBSECTION (D) OF THIS SECTION INCL UDES THE COST OF PAY ING DOWN THE | |
| 436 | - | UNPAID COSTS AND U NAMORTIZED COSTS THA T WERE ACCRUED OVER TIME BY | |
| 437 | - | PROGRAMS AND SERVICE S REQUIRED BY THE COMMISSION DATING BAC K TO 2008; | |
| 438 | - | AND | |
| 379 | + | (IV) THE ANTICIPATED ELEC TRICITY SAVINGS AND 1 | |
| 380 | + | GREENHOUSE GAS EMISS IONS REDUCTIONS ; AND 2 | |
| 439 | 381 | ||
| 440 | - | (2) THE PERIOD OF TIME T HAT THE SURCHARGE WI LL INCLUDE | |
| 441 | - | EXCESS CHARGES TO PA Y DOWN THE UNPAID CO STS AND UNAMORTIZED COSTS. | |
| 382 | + | (V) ANY OTHER INFORMATIO N THE COMMISSION REQUIRES. 3 | |
| 442 | 383 | ||
| 443 | - | 7–223. | |
| 384 | + | (5) THE INFORMATION PROVI DED TO THE COMMISSION UNDER 4 | |
| 385 | + | PARAGRAPH (4) OF THIS SUBSECTION S HALL BE BASED ON A P LAN TO OFFER 5 | |
| 386 | + | PROGRAMS AND SERVICE S TO CUSTOMERS THAT COMPLIES WITH THE 6 | |
| 387 | + | REQUIREMENTS OF AN E LECTRIC COMPANY SUBJ ECT TO SUBSECTION (A) OF THIS 7 | |
| 388 | + | SECTION FOR THE 3–YEAR PROGRAM CYCLE S TARTING JANUARY 1, 2027. 8 | |
| 444 | 389 | ||
| 445 | - | (A) ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 1, 2025, AND ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 1 | |
| 446 | - | EVERY 3 YEARS, STARTING IN 2027, THE COMMISSION SHALL , BY REGULATION OR | |
| 447 | - | ORDER, REQUIRE EACH ELECTRI C COMPANY AND EACH G AS COMPANY SUBJECT TO | |
| 448 | - | § 7–222(A) OF THIS SUBTITLE TO DEVELOP AND IMPLE MENT A PLAN THAT: | |
| 390 | + | (6) WHEN MAKING A PUBLIC INTEREST DETERMINATI ON UNDER 9 | |
| 391 | + | PARAGRAPH (3) OF THIS SUBSECTION T HE COMMISSION, AT A MINIMUM , SHALL 10 | |
| 392 | + | CONSIDER THE REQUIRE MENTS UNDER § 7–225(D)(3) OF THIS SUBTITLE THAT ARE 11 | |
| 393 | + | CONSIDERED WHEN APPR OVING A PLAN OF AN E LECTRIC COMPANY THAT IS SUBJECT 12 | |
| 394 | + | TO SUBSECTION (A) OF THIS SECTION. 13 | |
| 449 | 395 | ||
| 450 | - | (1) COVERS EACH APPROPRIATE RATEPAYER CLASS CLASSES; | |
| 396 | + | (7) STARTING OCTOBER 1, 2025, IF THE COMMISSION DETERMINES 14 | |
| 397 | + | THAT IT IS IN THE PU BLIC INTEREST FOR A MIDSIZE ELECTRIC COO PERATIVE TO BE 15 | |
| 398 | + | SUBJECT TO SUBSECTIO N (A) OF THIS SECTION , THE MIDSIZE ELECTRIC 16 | |
| 399 | + | COOPERATIVE SHALL CO MPLY WITH ALL REQUIR EMENTS OF AN ELECTRI C COMPANY 17 | |
| 400 | + | SUBJECT TO SUBSECTIO N (A) OF THIS SECTION FOR PROGRAM CYCLES START ING ON 18 | |
| 401 | + | AND AFTER JANUARY 1, 2027. 19 | |
| 451 | 402 | ||
| 452 | - | (2) STARTING IN 2027, COVERS A 3–YEAR PROGRAM CYCLE ; AND | |
| 403 | + | (8) ON OR BEFORE MARCH 1 EACH YEAR, STARTING IN 2026, EACH 20 | |
| 404 | + | MIDSIZE ELECTRIC COO PERATIVE DIRECTED BY THE COMMISSION TO INCLUDE 21 | |
| 405 | + | PROGRAMS OR SERVICES UNDER SUBSECTION (B) OF THIS SECTION SHAL L SUBMIT 22 | |
| 406 | + | TO THE COMMISSION A REPORT Q UANTIFYING THE GAINS IN ENERGY EFFICIENCY 23 | |
| 407 | + | AND REDUCTIONS IN GREENHOU SE GAS EMISSIONS ACH IEVED DURING THE 24 | |
| 408 | + | PREVIOUS YEAR . 25 | |
| 453 | 409 | ||
| 454 | - | (3) ACHIEVES THE GREENHO USE GAS EMISSIONS RE DUCTION | |
| 455 | - | TARGET ESTABLISHED F OR THE ELECTRIC COMP ANY OR GAS COMPANY U NDER | |
| 456 | - | SUBSECTION (B) OF THIS SECTION THRO UGH COST–EFFECTIVE ENERGY EFF ICIENCY | |
| 457 | - | AND CONSERVATION PRO GRAMS AND SERVICES , DEMAND RESPONSE PROG RAMS | |
| 458 | - | AND SERVICES, AND BENEFICIAL ELECT RIFICATION PROGRAMS AND SERVICES. | |
| 410 | + | (C) (D) THE COMMISSION SHALL ENCO URAGE AND PROMOTE TH E 26 | |
| 411 | + | EFFICIENT USE AND CO NSERVATION OF ENERGY IN SUPPORT OF THE GR EENHOUSE 27 | |
| 412 | + | GAS EMISSIONS REDUCT ION GOALS AND TARGET S SPECIFIED IN REQUIRED UNDER 28 | |
| 413 | + | TITLE 2, SUBTITLE 12 OF THE ENVIRONMENT ARTICLE, ESTABLISHED BY THE 29 | |
| 414 | + | COMMISSION UNDER § 7–223(B) OF THIS SUBTITLE, AND SPECIFIED IN § 7–224(A)(2) 30 | |
| 415 | + | OF THIS SUBTITLE BY: 31 | |
| 459 | 416 | ||
| 460 | - | (B) (1) FOR 2025 AND 2026, AND FOR EACH 3–YEAR PROGRAM CYCLE | |
| 461 | - | STARTING IN 2027, THE COMMISSION SHALL ESTA BLISH A GREENHOUSE G AS WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 539 | |
| 417 | + | (1) REQUIRING EACH ELECT RIC COMPANY AND GAS COMPANY TO 32 | |
| 418 | + | ESTABLISH ANY PROGRAM OR SERVICE T HAT THE COMMISSION DETERMINES TO BE 33 | |
| 419 | + | APPROPRIATE AND COST –EFFECTIVE; 34 | |
| 462 | 420 | ||
| 463 | - | – 11 – | |
| 464 | - | EMISSIONS REDUCTION TARGET FOR EACH ELEC TRIC COMPANY AND EAC H GAS | |
| 465 | - | COMPANY SUBJECT TO § 7–222(A) OF THIS SUBTITLE AS PROVIDED IN THIS | |
| 466 | - | SUBSECTION. | |
| 421 | + | (2) ADOPTING RATE –MAKING POLICIES THAT PROVIDE, THROUGH A 35 | |
| 422 | + | SURCHARGE LINE ITEM ON CUSTOMER BILLS : 36 10 HOUSE BILL 864 | |
| 467 | 423 | ||
| 468 | - | (2) WHEN ESTABLISHING GRE ENHOUSE GAS EMISSION S REDUCTION | |
| 469 | - | TARGETS UNDER THIS S UBSECTION, THE COMMISSION SHALL MEAS URE THE | |
| 470 | - | GREENHOUSE GAS EMISS IONS FROM ELECTRICIT Y AND GAS, AND THE INTENSITIES | |
| 471 | - | OF THOSE EMISSIONS , USING CURRENT DATA OBTAINED FROM PJM | |
| 472 | - | INTERCONNEC TION ON MARGINAL GRE ENHOUSE GAS EMISSION S RATES FROM THE | |
| 473 | - | PREVIOUS YEAR AND PROJECTIONS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF THE | |
| 474 | - | ENVIRONMENT . | |
| 475 | 424 | ||
| 476 | - | (3) AS A BASELINE FOR DET ERMINING GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS | |
| 477 | - | REDUCTIONS UNDER THI S SUBSECTION , THE COMMISSION SHALL USE THE | |
| 478 | - | GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS RESULTING FROM THE D IRECT CONSUMPTION OF GAS | |
| 479 | - | AND ELECTRICITY IN MARYLAND BUILDINGS IN 2020, AS DETERMINED BY THE | |
| 480 | - | DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT . | |
| 481 | 425 | ||
| 482 | - | (4) FOR THE PERIOD 2025–2033, THE COMMISSION SHALL | |
| 483 | - | DETERMINE AN OVERALL STATEWIDE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISS IONS REDUCTION | |
| 484 | - | TARGET BASED ON AN A VERAGE ANNUAL REDUCT ION OF AT LEAST 1.8% OF THE | |
| 485 | - | BASELINE DETERMINED UNDER PARAGRAPH (3) OF THIS SUBSECTION . | |
| 426 | + | (I) FULL COST RECOVERY OF REA SONABLY INCURRED COS TS 1 | |
| 427 | + | FOR PROGRAMS AND SERVICES ESTABLI SHED UNDER ITEM (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION , 2 | |
| 428 | + | INCLUDING FULL RECOV ERY ON A CURRENT BAS IS ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 1, 2028; 3 | |
| 486 | 429 | ||
| 487 | - | ( | |
| 488 | - | ||
| 430 | + | (II) ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 2032, THE ELIMINATION OF 4 | |
| 431 | + | ANY UNPAID COSTS AND UNAMORTIZED COSTS TH AT: 5 | |
| 489 | 432 | ||
| 490 | - | | |
| 433 | + | 1. A. EXISTED ON DECEMBER 31, 2024; OR 6 | |
| 491 | 434 | ||
| 492 | - | (II) RELATIVE TO THE GREE NHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS | |
| 493 | - | ASSOCIATED WITH THE ELECTRIC COMPANY ’S OR GAS COMPANY ’S | |
| 494 | - | WEATHER–NORMALIZED GROSS RET AIL SALES AND LOSSES IN A BASELINE YEAR , AS | |
| 495 | - | DETERMINED BY THE COMMISSION. | |
| 435 | + | B. WERE INCURRED BEFORE JANUARY 1, 2028; AND 7 | |
| 496 | 436 | ||
| 497 | - | (4) BY THE DATES SPECIFIE D IN § 7–225(A) OF THIS SUBTITLE , THE | |
| 498 | - | COMMISSION SHALL ESTA BLISH GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS REDUCTION | |
| 499 | - | TARGETS FOR EACH ELE CTRIC COMPANY PLAN T HAT WILL ACHIEVE AT LEAST THE | |
| 500 | - | GREENHOUSE GAS EMISS IONS REDUCTION EQUIV ALENT, MEASURED ON A | |
| 501 | - | LIFECYCLE BASIS USING THE EMISSION INTENSI TIES UNDER PARAGRAPH (2) OF | |
| 502 | - | THIS SUBSECTION , OF THE FOLLOWING ANN UAL ELECTRICITY SAVI NGS | |
| 503 | - | PERCENTAGES , CALCULATED AS A PERC ENTAGE OF THE ELECTR IC COMPANY’S 2016 | |
| 504 | - | WEATHER–NORMALIZED GROSS RET AIL SALES AND ELECTR ICITY LOSSES: | |
| 437 | + | 2. WERE ACCRUED FOR THE PURPOSE OF ACHIEVING 8 | |
| 438 | + | STATUTORY TARGETS FO R ANNUAL INCREMENTAL GROSS ENERGY SAVINGS ; 9 | |
| 505 | 439 | ||
| 506 | - | (I) 2.0% IN 2024; | |
| 507 | - | Ch. 539 2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND | |
| 440 | + | (III) COMPENSATION FOR ANY UNPAID COSTS AND 10 | |
| 441 | + | UNAMORTIZED COST S UNDER ITEM (II) OF THIS ITEM AT NOT MORE THAN EACH 11 | |
| 442 | + | ELECTRIC COMPANY ’S AND EACH GAS COMPA NY’S AVERAGE COST OF OU TSTANDING 12 | |
| 443 | + | DEBT; AND 13 | |
| 508 | 444 | ||
| 509 | - | – 12 – | |
| 510 | - | (II) 2.25% EACH YEAR IN 2025 AND 2026; AND | |
| 445 | + | (IV) REASONABLE FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE INCENTIV ES AND 14 | |
| 446 | + | PENALTIES FOR INVEST OR–OWNED ELECTRIC COMPA NIES AND GAS COMPANI ES, AS 15 | |
| 447 | + | APPROPRIATE ; AND 16 | |
| 511 | 448 | ||
| 512 | - | (III) 2.5% EACH YEAR IN 2027 AND AFTER. | |
| 449 | + | (3) ENSURING THAT ADOPTI ON OF ELECTRIC CUSTO MER CHOICE 17 | |
| 450 | + | UNDER SUBTITLE 5 OF THIS TITLE AND GA S CUSTOMER CHOICE UN DER SUBTITLE 6 18 | |
| 451 | + | OF THIS TITLE DOES N OT ADVERSELY IMPACT THESE GOALS AND TARG ETS. 19 | |
| 513 | 452 | ||
| 514 | - | (5) ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 1, 2025, AND ON OR BEFORE JANUARY | |
| 515 | - | 1 EVERY 3 YEARS, STARTING IN 2027, THE COMMISSION SHALL ESTA BLISH | |
| 516 | - | GREENHOU SE GAS EMISSIONS RED UCTION TARGETS FOR E ACH GAS COMPANY PLAN | |
| 517 | - | THAT WILL ACHIEVE AT LEAST THE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS REDUCT ION | |
| 518 | - | EQUIVALENT, MEASURED ON A LIFECY CLE BASIS USING THE EMISSION INTENSITIES | |
| 519 | - | UNDER PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION , OF THE GAS SAVIN GS TARGETS | |
| 520 | - | ESTABLISHED BY THE COMMISSION ACHIEVED BY THE GAS COMPANY FOR THE | |
| 521 | - | 2021–2023 PROGRAM CYCLE . | |
| 453 | + | (E) THE COMMISSION SHALL , BY REGULATION OR ORDER , REQUIRE EACH 20 | |
| 454 | + | ELECTRIC COMPANY AND EACH GAS COMPANY SUB JECT TO SUBSECTION (A) OF THIS 21 | |
| 455 | + | SECTION THAT HAS SUB MITTED TO THE COMMISSION, ON OR BEFORE JULY 1, 2024, 22 | |
| 456 | + | A PLAN FOR ACHIEVING ELECTRICITY OR GAS S AVINGS AND DEMAND RE DUCTION 23 | |
| 457 | + | TARGETS TO DISCLOSE THE FOLL OWING INFORMATION IN A FORM AND FORMAT 24 | |
| 458 | + | READILY UNDERSTANDAB LE TO THE AVERAGE CU STOMER: 25 | |
| 522 | 459 | ||
| 523 | - | (6) THE COMMISSION SHALL TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION T HE MOST | |
| 524 | - | RECENT FINAL PLAN AD OPTED UNDER § 2–1205 OF THE ENVIRONMENT ARTICLE | |
| 525 | - | WHEN ESTABLISHING TH E GREENHOUSE GAS EMISS IONS REDUCTION TARGE TS | |
| 526 | - | UNDER THIS SUBSECTIO N. | |
| 460 | + | (1) THAT THE SURCHARGE I MPOSED IN ACCORDANCE WITH 26 | |
| 461 | + | SUBSECTION (D) OF THIS SECTION INCL UDES THE COST OF PAY ING DOWN THE 27 | |
| 462 | + | UNPAID COSTS AND UNA MORTIZED COSTS THAT WERE ACCR UED OVER TIME BY 28 | |
| 463 | + | PROGRAMS AND SERVICE S REQUIRED BY THE COMMISSION DATING BAC K TO 2008; 29 | |
| 464 | + | AND 30 | |
| 527 | 465 | ||
| 528 | - | (7) FOR 2025 AND 2026: | |
| 466 | + | (2) THE PERIOD OF TIME T HAT THE SURCHARGE WI LL INCLUDE 31 | |
| 467 | + | EXCESS CHARGES TO PA Y DOWN THE UNPAID CO STS AND UNAMORTIZED COSTS. 32 | |
| 468 | + | HOUSE BILL 864 11 | |
| 529 | 469 | ||
| 530 | - | (I) THE COMMISSION SHALL , AFTER MAKING APPROPR IATE | |
| 531 | - | FINDINGS, DETERMINE WHETHER EX ISTING ELECTRIC COMP ANY AND GAS COMPANY | |
| 532 | - | PLANS MUST BE MODIFI ED TO COMPLY WITH § 7–225(D) OF THIS SUBTITLE; AND | |
| 533 | 470 | ||
| 534 | - | ||
| 471 | + | 7–223. 1 | |
| 535 | 472 | ||
| 536 | - | 1. SHALL PROVIDE INFORM ATION AS REQUIRED BY THE | |
| 537 | - | COMMISSION TO ASSIST IN MAKING THE DETERM INATION UNDER ITEM (I) OF THIS | |
| 538 | - | PARAGRAPH ; AND | |
| 473 | + | (A) ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 1, 2025, AND ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 1 2 | |
| 474 | + | EVERY 3 YEARS, STARTING IN 2027, THE COMMISSION SHALL , BY REGULATION OR 3 | |
| 475 | + | ORDER, REQUIRE EACH ELECTRI C COMPANY AND EACH G AS COMPANY SUBJECT TO 4 | |
| 476 | + | § 7–222(A) OF THIS SUBTITLE TO DEVELOP AND IMPLE MENT A PLAN THAT: 5 | |
| 539 | 477 | ||
| 540 | - | 2. ARE ONLY REQUIRED TO FILE NEW PLANS IN | |
| 541 | - | ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SECTION IF DIRECTED BY THE COMMISSION. | |
| 478 | + | (1) COVERS EACH APPROPRIATE RATEPAYER CLASS CLASSES; 6 | |
| 542 | 479 | ||
| 543 | - | (C) THE COMMISSION MAY GIVE P RIORITY TO LONG –LIVED GREENHOUSE | |
| 544 | - | GAS EMISSIONS REDUCT ION MEASURES IN THE PLANS BY ESTABLISHIN G A MINIMUM | |
| 545 | - | WEIGHTED AVERAGE MEA SURE LIFE FOR THE PL AN OF EACH ELECTRIC COMPAN Y | |
| 546 | - | AND GAS COMPANY . | |
| 480 | + | (2) STARTING IN 2027, COVERS A 3–YEAR PROGRAM CYCLE ; AND 7 | |
| 547 | 481 | ||
| 548 | - | (D) CONTRIBUTIONS TO GREE NHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS REDUCTION GOALS | |
| 549 | - | AND TARGETS IN A PLA N OF AN ELECTRIC COM PANY OR A GAS COMPAN Y: | |
| 482 | + | (3) ACHIEVES THE GREENHO USE GAS EMISSIONS RE DUCTION 8 | |
| 483 | + | TARGET ESTABLISHED F OR THE ELECTRIC COMP ANY OR GAS COMPANY U NDER 9 | |
| 484 | + | SUBSECTION (B) OF THIS SECTION THRO UGH COST–EFFECTIVE ENERGY EFF ICIENCY 10 | |
| 485 | + | AND CONSERVATION PRO GRAMS AND SERVICES , DEMAND RESPONSE PROG RAMS 11 | |
| 486 | + | AND SERVICES, AND BENEFICIAL ELECT RIFICATION PROGRAMS AND SERVICES. 12 | |
| 550 | 487 | ||
| 551 | - | (1) MAY, NOTWITHSTANDING § 7–222(C)(2) § 7–222(D)(2) OF THIS | |
| 552 | - | SUBTITLE, INCLUDE RECOVERY OF THE REASONABLE AN D PRUDENT COSTS FROM WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 539 | |
| 488 | + | (B) (1) FOR 2025 AND 2026, AND FOR EACH 3–YEAR PROGRAM CYCLE 13 | |
| 489 | + | STARTING IN 2027, THE COMMISSION SHALL ESTA BLISH A GREENHOUSE G AS 14 | |
| 490 | + | EMISSIONS REDUCTION TARGET FOR EACH ELEC TRIC COMPANY AND EAC H GAS 15 | |
| 491 | + | COMPANY SUBJECT TO § 7–222(A) OF THIS SUBTITLE AS PROVIDED IN THIS 16 | |
| 492 | + | SUBSECTION. 17 | |
| 553 | 493 | ||
| 554 | - | – 13 – | |
| 555 | - | PROGRAMS THAT ARE NO T BEHIND–THE–METER PROGRAMS IN A BASE RATE | |
| 556 | - | PROCEEDING , SUBJECT TO COMMISSION APPROVAL ; AND | |
| 494 | + | (2) WHEN ESTABLISHING GRE ENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS REDUCTION 18 | |
| 495 | + | TARGETS UNDER THIS S UBSECTION, THE COMMISSION SHALL MEAS URE THE 19 | |
| 496 | + | GREENHOUSE GAS EMISS IONS FROM ELECTRICIT Y AND GAS, AND THE INTENSITIES 20 | |
| 497 | + | OF THOSE EMISSIONS , USING CURRENT DATA OBTAINED FROM PJM 21 | |
| 498 | + | INTERCONNECTION ON MA RGINAL GREENHOUSE GA S EMISSIONS RATES FROM THE 22 | |
| 499 | + | PREVIOUS YEAR AND PROJECTIONS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF THE 23 | |
| 500 | + | ENVIRONMENT . 24 | |
| 557 | 501 | ||
| 558 | - | (2) MAY NOT INCLUDE THE INCREASED ADOPTION O F ELECTRIC | |
| 559 | - | VEHICLES. | |
| 502 | + | (3) AS A BASELINE FOR DET ERMINING GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS 25 | |
| 503 | + | REDUCTIONS UNDER THI S SUBSECTION , THE COMMISSION SHALL USE THE 26 | |
| 504 | + | GREENHOUSE GAS EMISS IONS RESULTING FROM THE DIRECT CONS UMPTION OF GAS 27 | |
| 505 | + | AND ELECTRICITY IN MARYLAND BUILDINGS IN 2020, AS DETERMINED BY THE 28 | |
| 506 | + | DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT . 29 | |
| 560 | 507 | ||
| 561 | - | (E) BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2025, AT LEAST 80% OF THE GREENHOUSE GA S | |
| 562 | - | EMISSIONS REDUCTIONS COUNTED TOWARD EACH ELECTRIC COMPANY ’S AND EACH | |
| 563 | - | GAS COMPANY ’S GREENHOUSE GAS EMI SSIONS REDUCTION TAR GETS ESTABLISHED | |
| 564 | - | UNDER THIS SECTION S HALL COME FROM BEHIN D–THE–METER PROGRAMS , WHICH | |
| 565 | - | MAY INCLUDE DEPLO YMENT OF ENERGY STOR AGE FACILITIES. | |
| 508 | + | (4) FOR THE PERIOD 2025–2033, THE COMMISSION SHALL 30 | |
| 509 | + | DETERMINE AN OVERALL STATEWIDE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS REDUCT ION 31 | |
| 510 | + | TARGET BASED ON AN AVE RAGE ANNUAL REDUCTIO N OF AT LEAST 1.8% OF THE 32 | |
| 511 | + | BASELINE DETERMINED UNDER PARAGRAPH (3) OF THIS SUBSECTION . 33 | |
| 566 | 512 | ||
| 567 | - | 7–224. | |
| 513 | + | (3) THE GREENHOUSE GAS EM ISSIONS REDUCTION TA RGETS 34 | |
| 514 | + | ESTABLISHED UNDER TH IS SUBSECTION SHALL BE MEASURED : 35 12 HOUSE BILL 864 | |
| 568 | 515 | ||
| 569 | - | (A) (1) BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2025, AND ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 1 | |
| 570 | - | EVERY 3 YEARS THEREAFTER , STARTING IN 2027, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL | |
| 571 | - | PROCURE OR PROVIDE T O LOW– AND MODERATE –INCOME LOW–INCOME | |
| 572 | - | INDIVIDUALS ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND CONSERVATION PROGRAM S AND SERVICES, | |
| 573 | - | DEMAND RESPONSE PROG RAMS AND SERVICES , AND BENEFICIAL ELECT RIFICATION | |
| 574 | - | PROGRAMS AND SERVICE S THAT ACHIEVE THE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISS IONS | |
| 575 | - | REDUCTION TARGETS ES TABLISHED FOR THE DEPARTMENT UNDER PARA GRAPH (2) | |
| 576 | - | OF THIS SUBSECTION . | |
| 577 | 516 | ||
| 578 | - | (2) FOR THE PERIOD 2025–2033, THE PROGRAMS AND SER VICES | |
| 579 | - | REQUIRED UNDER PARAG RAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION S HALL BE ON A | |
| 580 | - | TRAJECTORY TO ACHIEV E GREENHOUSE GAS RED UCTIONS AFTER 2027 OF AT LEAST | |
| 581 | - | 0.9% OF THE BASELINE DETE RMINED UNDER SUBSECT ION (B) OF THIS SECTION. | |
| 582 | 517 | ||
| 583 | - | (3) (I) WHEN ESTABLISHING GRE ENHOUSE GAS EMISSION S | |
| 584 | - | REDUCTION TARGETS UN DER THIS SUBSECTION , THE COMMISSION SHALL MEAS URE | |
| 585 | - | THE GREENHOUSE GAS E MISSIONS FROM ELECTR ICITY USING CURRENT DATA AND | |
| 586 | - | PROJECTIONS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT . | |
| 518 | + | (I) IN METRIC TONS; AND 1 | |
| 587 | 519 | ||
| 588 | - | (II) THE GREENHOUSE GAS EM ISSIONS REDUCTION TA RGETS | |
| 589 | - | ESTABLISHED UNDER TH IS SUBSECTION SHALL BE MEASURED IN METRI C TONS. | |
| 520 | + | (II) RELATIVE TO THE GREE NHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS 2 | |
| 521 | + | ASSOCIATED WITH THE ELECTRIC COMPANY ’S OR GAS COMPANY ’S 3 | |
| 522 | + | WEATHER–NORMALIZED GROSS RET AIL SALES AND LOSSES IN A BASELINE YEAR , AS 4 | |
| 523 | + | DETERMINED BY THE COMMISSION. 5 | |
| 590 | 524 | ||
| 591 | - | (3) (4) THE GREENHOUSE GAS RE DUCTIONS ACHIEVED TO MEET | |
| 592 | - | THE TARGETS ESTABLIS HED UNDER PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION SHALL | |
| 593 | - | COUNT TOWARD THE ACH IEVEMENT OF THE GREE NHOUSE GAS REDUCTION TARGET | |
| 594 | - | ESTABLISHED UNDER § 7–223(B) OF THIS SUBTITLE . | |
| 525 | + | (4) BY THE DATES SPECIFIE D IN § 7–225(A) OF THIS SUBTITLE , THE 6 | |
| 526 | + | COMMISSION SHALL ESTA BLISH GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS REDUCTION 7 | |
| 527 | + | TARGETS FOR EACH ELE CTRIC COMPANY PLAN T HAT WILL ACHIEVE AT LEAST THE 8 | |
| 528 | + | GREENHOUSE GAS EMISS IONS REDUCTION EQUIV ALENT, MEASURED ON A 9 | |
| 529 | + | LIFECYCLE BASIS USIN G THE EMISSI ON INTENSITIES UNDER PARAGRAPH (2) OF 10 | |
| 530 | + | THIS SUBSECTION , OF THE FOLLOWING ANN UAL ELECTRICITY SAVI NGS 11 | |
| 531 | + | PERCENTAGES , CALCULATED AS A PERC ENTAGE OF THE ELECTR IC COMPANY’S 2016 12 | |
| 532 | + | WEATHER–NORMALIZED GROSS RET AIL SALES AND ELECTR ICITY LOSSES: 13 | |
| 595 | 533 | ||
| 596 | - | (5) THE TARGET GREENHOUSE GAS SAVINGS SHALL BE ACHIEVED | |
| 597 | - | BASED ON THE 3–YEAR AVERAGE OF THE DEPARTMENT ’S PLAN SUBMITTED IN | |
| 598 | - | ACCORDANCE WITH SUBS ECTION (D) OF THIS SECTION. Ch. 539 2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND | |
| 534 | + | (I) 2.0% IN 2024; 14 | |
| 599 | 535 | ||
| 600 | - | ||
| 536 | + | (II) 2.25% EACH YEAR IN 2025 AND 2026; AND 15 | |
| 601 | 537 | ||
| 602 | - | ( | |
| 538 | + | (III) 2.5% EACH YEAR IN 2027 AND AFTER. 16 | |
| 603 | 539 | ||
| 604 | - | (I) THE COMMISSION SHALL , AFTER MAKING APPROPR IATE | |
| 605 | - | FINDINGS, DETERMINE WHETHER TH E DEPARTMENT ’S EXISTING 2024–2026 PLAN | |
| 606 | - | MUST BE MODIFIED TO COMPLY WITH : | |
| 540 | + | (5) ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 1, 2025, AND ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 17 | |
| 541 | + | 1 EVERY 3 YEARS, STARTING IN 2027, THE COMMISSION SHALL ESTA BLISH 18 | |
| 542 | + | GREENHOUSE GAS EMISS IONS REDUCTION TAR GETS FOR EACH GAS CO MPANY PLAN 19 | |
| 543 | + | THAT WILL ACHIEVE AT LEAST THE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS REDUCT ION 20 | |
| 544 | + | EQUIVALENT, MEASURED ON A LIFECY CLE BASIS USING THE EMISSION INTENSITIES 21 | |
| 545 | + | UNDER PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION , OF THE GAS SAVINGS TARGETS 22 | |
| 546 | + | ESTABLISHED BY THE COMMISSION ACHIEVED BY THE GAS COMPANY FOR THE 23 | |
| 547 | + | 2021–2023 PROGRAM CYCLE . 24 | |
| 607 | 548 | ||
| 608 | - | 1. THE TARGETS ESTA BLISHED IN THIS SUBS ECTION; | |
| 609 | - | AND | |
| 549 | + | (6) THE COMMISSION SHALL TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION T HE MOST 25 | |
| 550 | + | RECENT FINAL PLAN AD OPTED UNDER § 2–1205 OF THE ENVIRONMENT ARTICLE 26 | |
| 551 | + | WHEN ESTABLISHING TH E GREENHOUSE GAS EMI SSIONS REDUCTION TARGETS 27 | |
| 552 | + | UNDER THIS SUBSECTIO N. 28 | |
| 610 | 553 | ||
| 611 | - | | |
| 554 | + | (7) FOR 2025 AND 2026: 29 | |
| 612 | 555 | ||
| 613 | - | (II) THE DEPARTMENT : | |
| 556 | + | (I) THE COMMISSION SHALL , AFTER MAKING APPROPR IATE 30 | |
| 557 | + | FINDINGS, DETERMINE WHETHER EX ISTING ELECTRIC COMP ANY AND GAS COMPANY 31 | |
| 558 | + | PLANS MUST BE MODIFI ED TO COMPLY WITH § 7–225(D) OF THIS SUBTITL E; AND 32 | |
| 614 | 559 | ||
| 615 | - | 1. SHALL PROVIDE INFORM ATION AS REQUIRED BY THE | |
| 616 | - | COMMISSION TO ASSIST IN MAKING THE DETERM INATION IN ITEM (I) OF THIS | |
| 617 | - | PARAGRAPH ; AND | |
| 560 | + | (II) ELECTRIC COMPANIES A ND GAS COMPANIES : 33 HOUSE BILL 864 13 | |
| 618 | 561 | ||
| 619 | - | 2. IS ONLY REQUI RED TO FILE NEW PLAN S IN | |
| 620 | - | ACCORDANCE WITH SUBS ECTION (D) OF THIS SECTION AND § 7–225 OF THIS | |
| 621 | - | SUBTITLE IF DIRECTED BY THE COMMISSION. | |
| 622 | 562 | ||
| 623 | - | (B) AS A BASELINE FOR DET ERMINING GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS | |
| 624 | - | REDUCTION TARGETS UN DER THIS SECTION , THE COMMISSION SHALL USE THE | |
| 625 | - | GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS RESULTING FROM THE DIRECT CONS UMPTION OF GAS | |
| 626 | - | AND ELECTRICITY BY LOW– AND MODERATE –INCOME LOW–INCOME RESIDENTIAL | |
| 627 | - | HOUSEHOLDS IN 2020 2016, AS DETERMINED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF THE | |
| 628 | - | ENVIRONMENT . | |
| 629 | 563 | ||
| 630 | - | (C) (1) THE DEPARTMENT MAY PROCUR E OR PROVIDE SAVINGS T HAT | |
| 631 | - | ARE ACHIEVED THROUGH FUNDING SOURCES THAT MEET THE STANDARDS O F | |
| 632 | - | PROGRAM FUNDING THRO UGH UTILITY RATES OR THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF | |
| 633 | - | ENERGY. | |
| 564 | + | 1. SHALL PROVIDE INFORM ATION AS REQUIRED BY THE 1 | |
| 565 | + | COMMISSION TO ASSIST IN MAKING THE DETERM INATION UNDER ITEM (I) OF THIS 2 | |
| 566 | + | PARAGRAPH ; AND 3 | |
| 634 | 567 | ||
| 635 | - | (2) THE DEPARTMENT MAY USE TH E SAVINGS ACHIEVED T HROUGH | |
| 636 | - | ALL FUNDING SOURCES TOWARD CALCULATIN G THE TARGETED GREEN HOUSE GAS | |
| 637 | - | REDUCTIONS IF THE FU NDING SOURCES MEET T HE STANDARDS OF PROG RAMS | |
| 638 | - | FUNDED THROUGH : | |
| 568 | + | 2. ARE ONLY REQUIRED TO FILE NEW PLANS IN 4 | |
| 569 | + | ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SECTION IF DIRE CTED BY THE COMMISSION. 5 | |
| 639 | 570 | ||
| 640 | - | (I) A SURCHARGE UNDER § 7–222 OF THIS SUBTITLE; OR | |
| 571 | + | (C) THE COMMISSION MAY GIVE P RIORITY TO LONG –LIVED GREENHOUSE 6 | |
| 572 | + | GAS EMISSIONS REDUCT ION MEASURES IN THE PLANS BY ESTABLISHIN G A MINIMUM 7 | |
| 573 | + | WEIGHTED AVERAGE MEA SURE LIFE FOR THE PL AN OF EACH ELECTRIC COMPANY 8 | |
| 574 | + | AND GAS COMPANY . 9 | |
| 641 | 575 | ||
| 642 | - | ( | |
| 643 | - | ||
| 576 | + | (D) CONTRIBUTIONS TO GREE NHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS REDUCTION GOALS 10 | |
| 577 | + | AND TARGETS IN A PLA N OF AN ELECTRIC COM PANY OR A GAS COMPAN Y: 11 | |
| 644 | 578 | ||
| 645 | - | – 15 – | |
| 646 | - | (D) ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 1 IF DIRECTED BY THE COMMISSION IN | |
| 647 | - | 2024, AND ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 1 EVERY 3 YEARS, BEGINNING STARTING IN | |
| 648 | - | 2024 2026, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL SUBM IT ITS PLANS FOR ANY PROGRAMS OR | |
| 649 | - | SERVICES PROCURED OR PROVIDED UNDER SUBSE CTION (A) OF THIS SECTION TO | |
| 650 | - | THE COMMISSION FOR REVIEW AND APPROVAL UNDER § 7–225 OF THIS SUBTITLE. | |
| 579 | + | (1) MAY, NOTWITHSTANDING § 7–222(C)(2) § 7–222(D)(2) OF THIS 12 | |
| 580 | + | SUBTITLE, INCLUDE RECOVERY OF THE REASONABLE AND P RUDENT COSTS FROM 13 | |
| 581 | + | PROGRAMS THAT ARE NO T BEHIND–THE–METER PROGRAMS IN A BASE RATE 14 | |
| 582 | + | PROCEEDING , SUBJECT TO COMMISSION APPROVAL ; AND 15 | |
| 651 | 583 | ||
| 652 | - | ( | |
| 653 | - | ||
| 584 | + | (2) MAY NOT INCLUDE THE INCREASED ADOPTION O F ELECTRIC 16 | |
| 585 | + | VEHICLES. 17 | |
| 654 | 586 | ||
| 655 | - | (1) THE BENEFITS OF WEAT HERIZATION ASSISTANC E, INCLUDING | |
| 656 | - | UTILITY BILL REDUCTI ON AND PRESERVATION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING S TOCK, | |
| 657 | - | ACCRUE PRIMARILY TO LOW–INCOME TENANTS OCCUP YING A LEASED OR REN TED | |
| 658 | - | RESIDENCE; AND | |
| 587 | + | (E) BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2025, AT LEAST 80% OF THE GREENHOUSE GAS 18 | |
| 588 | + | EMISSIONS REDUCTIONS COUNTED TOWARD EACH ELECTRIC COMPANY ’S AND EACH 19 | |
| 589 | + | GAS COMPANY ’S GREENHOUSE GAS EMI SSIONS REDUCTION TAR GETS ESTABLISHED 20 | |
| 590 | + | UNDER THIS SECTION S HALL COME FROM BEHIN D–THE–METER PROGRAMS , WHICH 21 | |
| 591 | + | MAY INCLUDE DEPLOYME NT OF ENERGY ST ORAGE FACILITIES . 22 | |
| 659 | 592 | ||
| 660 | - | (2) THE RENT ON THE RESI DENCE IS NOT INCREAS ED AND THE | |
| 661 | - | TENANT IS NOT EVICTE D AS A RESULT OF WEA THERIZATION PROVIDED UNDER THIS | |
| 662 | - | SECTION. | |
| 593 | + | 7–224. 23 | |
| 663 | 594 | ||
| 664 | - | (F) THE PROGRAMS AND SERVI CES PROVIDED UNDER S UBSECTION (A) OF | |
| 665 | - | THIS SECTION MAY NOT USE THERMAL INSULATI NG MATERIALS FOR BUI LDING | |
| 666 | - | ELEMENTS, INCLUDING WALLS , FLOORS, CEILINGS, ATTICS, AND ROOF INSULATION , | |
| 667 | - | THAT CONTAIN FORMALD EHYDE IF THE FORMALD EHYDE: | |
| 595 | + | (A) (1) BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2025, AND ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 1 24 | |
| 596 | + | EVERY 3 YEARS THEREAFTER , STARTING IN 2027, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL 25 | |
| 597 | + | PROCURE OR PROVIDE T O LOW– AND MODERATE –INCOME LOW–INCOME 26 | |
| 598 | + | INDIVIDUALS ENERGY E FFICIENCY AND CONSERVATION PROGRAM S AND SERVICES, 27 | |
| 599 | + | DEMAND RESPONSE PROG RAMS AND SERVICES , AND BENEFICIAL ELECT RIFICATION 28 | |
| 600 | + | PROGRAMS AND SERVICE S THAT ACHIEVE THE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISS IONS 29 | |
| 601 | + | REDUCTION TARGETS ES TABLISHED FOR THE DEPARTMENT UNDER PARA GRAPH (2) 30 | |
| 602 | + | OF THIS SUBSECTIO N. 31 | |
| 668 | 603 | ||
| 669 | - | (1) WAS INTENTIONALLY ADDED ; OR | |
| 604 | + | (2) FOR THE PERIOD 2025–2033, THE PROGRAMS AND SER VICES 32 | |
| 605 | + | REQUIRED UNDER PARAG RAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION S HALL BE ON A 33 14 HOUSE BILL 864 | |
| 670 | 606 | ||
| 671 | - | (2) IS PRESENT IN THE PR ODUCT AT GREATER THA N 0.1% BY WEIGHT. | |
| 672 | 607 | ||
| 673 | - | (G) THE DEPARTMENT ’S APPROVED CONTRACTO RS USED FOR THE | |
| 674 | - | PROGRAMS UNDER THIS SECTION SHALL MEET T HE FOLLOWING JOB | |
| 675 | - | REQUIREMENTS : | |
| 608 | + | TRAJECTORY TO ACHIEV E GREENHOUSE GAS RED UCTIONS AFTER 2027 OF AT LEAST 1 | |
| 609 | + | 0.9% OF THE BASELINE DETE RMINED UNDER SUBSECT ION (B) OF THIS SECTION. 2 | |
| 676 | 610 | ||
| 677 | - | (1) PAY AT LEAST 150% OF THE STATE MINIMUM WAGE ; | |
| 611 | + | (3) (I) WHEN ESTABLISHING GRE ENHOUSE GAS EMISSION S 3 | |
| 612 | + | REDUCTION TARGETS UN DER THIS SUBSECTION , THE COMMISSION SHALL MEAS URE 4 | |
| 613 | + | THE GREENHOUSE GAS E MISSIONS FROM ELECTR ICITY USING CURRENT DATA AND 5 | |
| 614 | + | PROJECTIONS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT . 6 | |
| 678 | 615 | ||
| 679 | - | (2) PROVIDE CAREER ADVAN CEMENT TRAINING ; | |
| 616 | + | (II) THE GREENHOUSE GAS EM ISSIONS REDUCTION TA RGETS 7 | |
| 617 | + | ESTABLISHED UNDER TH IS SUBSECTION SHALL BE MEASURED IN METRI C TONS. 8 | |
| 680 | 618 | ||
| 681 | - | (3) AFFORD EMPLOYEES THE RIGHT TO BARGAIN COL LECTIVELY FOR | |
| 682 | - | WAGES AND BENEFITS ; | |
| 619 | + | (3) (4) THE GREENHOUSE GAS RE DUCTIONS ACHIEVED TO MEET 9 | |
| 620 | + | THE TARGETS ESTABLIS HED UNDER PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION S HALL 10 | |
| 621 | + | COUNT TOWARD THE ACHIEVEME NT OF THE GREENHOUSE GAS REDUCTION TARGET 11 | |
| 622 | + | ESTABLISHED UNDER § 7–223(B) OF THIS SUBTITLE . 12 | |
| 683 | 623 | ||
| 684 | - | (4) PROVIDE PAID LEAVE ; | |
| 624 | + | (5) THE TARGET GREENHOUSE GAS SAVINGS SHALL BE ACHIEVED 13 | |
| 625 | + | BASED ON THE 3–YEAR AVERAGE OF THE DEPARTMENT ’S PLAN SUBMITTED IN 14 | |
| 626 | + | ACCORDANCE WITH SUBS ECTION (D) OF THIS SECTION. 15 | |
| 685 | 627 | ||
| 686 | - | (5) BE CONSIDERED COVERE D EMPLOYMENT FOR PUR POSES OF | |
| 687 | - | UNEMPLOYMENT INSURAN CE BENEFITS IN ACCORDANCE WITH TITLE 8 OF THE | |
| 688 | - | LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT ARTICLE; | |
| 689 | - | Ch. 539 2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND | |
| 628 | + | (6) FOR 2025 AND 2026: 16 | |
| 690 | 629 | ||
| 691 | - | ||
| 692 | - | ||
| 693 | - | ||
| 630 | + | (I) THE COMMISSION SHALL , AFTER MAKING APPROPR IATE 17 | |
| 631 | + | FINDINGS, DETERMINE WHETHER TH E DEPARTMENT ’S EXISTING 2024–2026 PLAN 18 | |
| 632 | + | MUST BE MODIFIED TO COMPLY WITH : 19 | |
| 694 | 633 | ||
| 695 | - | | |
| 696 | - | ||
| 634 | + | 1. THE TARGETS ESTABLIS HED IN THIS SUBSECT ION; 20 | |
| 635 | + | AND 21 | |
| 697 | 636 | ||
| 698 | - | (8) OFFER EMPLOYER –PROVIDED HEALTH INSU RANCE BENEFITS | |
| 699 | - | WITH MONTHLY PREMIUM S THAT DO NOT EXCEED 8.5% OF THE EMPLOYEE ’S NET | |
| 700 | - | MONTHLY EARNINGS ; AND | |
| 637 | + | 2. § 7–225(D) OF THIS SUBTITLE; AND 22 | |
| 701 | 638 | ||
| 702 | - | ( | |
| 639 | + | (II) THE DEPARTMENT : 23 | |
| 703 | 640 | ||
| 704 | - | | |
| 705 | - | ||
| 706 | - | ||
| 641 | + | 1. SHALL PROVIDE INFORM ATION AS REQUIRED BY THE 24 | |
| 642 | + | COMMISSION TO ASSIST IN MAKING THE DETERM INATION IN ITEM (I) OF THIS 25 | |
| 643 | + | PARAGRAPH ; AND 26 | |
| 707 | 644 | ||
| 708 | - | (I) HEALTH AND SAFETY UP GRADES; | |
| 645 | + | 2. IS ONLY REQUIRED TO FILE NEW PLANS IN 27 | |
| 646 | + | ACCORDANCE WITH SUBS ECTION (D) OF THIS SECTION AND § 7–225 OF THIS 28 | |
| 647 | + | SUBTITLE IF DIRECTED BY THE COMMISSION. 29 | |
| 709 | 648 | ||
| 710 | - | (II) WEATHERIZATION ; | |
| 649 | + | (B) AS A BASELINE FOR DET ERMINING GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS 30 | |
| 650 | + | REDUCTION TARGETS UN DER THIS SECTION , THE COMMISSION SHALL USE THE 31 | |
| 651 | + | GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS RESULTING FROM THE DIRECT CONS UMPTION OF GAS 32 HOUSE BILL 864 15 | |
| 711 | 652 | ||
| 712 | - | (III) ENERGY EFFICIENCY ; AND | |
| 713 | 653 | ||
| 714 | - | (IV) OTHER GENERAL MAINTE NANCE FOR LOW –INCOME | |
| 715 | - | HOUSING. | |
| 654 | + | AND ELECTRICITY BY LOW– AND MODERATE –INCOME LOW–INCOME RESIDENTIAL 1 | |
| 655 | + | HOUSEHOLDS IN 2020 2016, AS DETERMINED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF THE 2 | |
| 656 | + | ENVIRONMENT . 3 | |
| 716 | 657 | ||
| 717 | - | (2) THE PLAN SHALL COORDI NATE FUNDING AMONG : | |
| 658 | + | (C) (1) THE DEPARTMENT MAY PROCUR E OR PROVIDE SAVINGS THAT 4 | |
| 659 | + | ARE ACHIEVED THROUGH FUNDING SOURCES THAT MEET THE STANDARDS O F 5 | |
| 660 | + | PROGRAM FUNDING THRO UGH UTILITY RATES OR THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF 6 | |
| 661 | + | ENERGY. 7 | |
| 718 | 662 | ||
| 719 | - | (I) THE STRATEGIC ENERGY INVESTMENT FUND; | |
| 663 | + | (2) THE DEPARTMENT MAY USE TH E SAVINGS ACHIEVED T HROUGH 8 | |
| 664 | + | ALL FUNDING SOURCES TOWARD CALCULATING T HE TARGETED GREEN HOUSE GAS 9 | |
| 665 | + | REDUCTIONS IF THE FU NDING SOURCES MEET T HE STANDARDS OF PROG RAMS 10 | |
| 666 | + | FUNDED THROUGH : 11 | |
| 720 | 667 | ||
| 721 | - | ( | |
| 668 | + | (I) A SURCHARGE UNDER § 7–222 OF THIS SUBTITLE; OR 12 | |
| 722 | 669 | ||
| 723 | - | ( | |
| 670 | + | (II) THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY. 13 | |
| 724 | 671 | ||
| 725 | - | 1. THE EMPOWER MARYLAND LIMITED INCOME | |
| 726 | - | ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAM; AND | |
| 672 | + | (D) ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 1 IF DIRECTED BY THE COMMISSION IN 14 | |
| 673 | + | 2024, AND ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 1 EVERY 3 YEARS, BEGINNING STARTING IN 15 | |
| 674 | + | 2024 2026, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL SUBM IT ITS PLANS FOR ANY PROGRAMS OR 16 | |
| 675 | + | SERVICES PROCURED OR PROVIDED UNDER SUBSE CTION (A) OF THIS SECTION TO 17 | |
| 676 | + | THE COMMISSION FOR REVIEW AND APPROVAL UNDER § 7–225 OF THIS SUBTITLE. 18 | |
| 727 | 677 | ||
| 728 | - | | |
| 729 | - | ||
| 678 | + | (E) FOR WEATHERIZATION OF LEASED OR RENTED RES IDENCES, THE 19 | |
| 679 | + | DEPARTMENT SHALL ADOP T REGULATIONS TO ENS URE THAT: 20 | |
| 730 | 680 | ||
| 731 | - | (IV) THE MARYLAND AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST FUND; | |
| 681 | + | (1) THE BENEFITS OF WEAT HERIZATION ASSISTANC E, INCLUDING 21 | |
| 682 | + | UTILITY BILL REDUCTI ON AND PRESERVATION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSIN G STOCK, 22 | |
| 683 | + | ACCRUE PRIMARILY TO LOW–INCOME TENANTS OCCUP YING A LEASED OR REN TED 23 | |
| 684 | + | RESIDENCE; AND 24 | |
| 732 | 685 | ||
| 733 | - | ( | |
| 734 | - | ||
| 735 | - | ||
| 686 | + | (2) THE RENT ON THE RESI DENCE IS NOT INCREAS ED AND THE 25 | |
| 687 | + | TENANT IS NOT EVICTE D AS A RESULT OF WEA THERIZATION PROVIDED UNDER THIS 26 | |
| 688 | + | SECTION. 27 | |
| 736 | 689 | ||
| 737 | - | – 17 – | |
| 738 | - | 1. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANTS; | |
| 690 | + | (F) THE PROGRAMS AND SE RVICES PROVIDED UNDE R SUBSECTION (A) OF 28 | |
| 691 | + | THIS SECTION MAY NOT USE THERMAL INSULATI NG MATERIALS FOR BUI LDING 29 | |
| 692 | + | ELEMENTS, INCLUDING WALLS , FLOORS, CEILINGS, ATTICS, AND ROOF INSULATION , 30 | |
| 693 | + | THAT CONTAIN FORMALD EHYDE IF THE FORMALD EHYDE: 31 | |
| 739 | 694 | ||
| 740 | - | 2. THE HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP GRANTS | |
| 741 | - | PROGRAM; AND | |
| 695 | + | (1) WAS INTENTIONALLY AD DED; OR 32 | |
| 742 | 696 | ||
| 743 | - | 3. LEAD HAZARD CONTROL AND HEALTHY HOMES | |
| 744 | - | GRANTS; | |
| 697 | + | (2) IS PRESENT IN THE PR ODUCT AT GREATER THA N 0.1% BY WEIGHT. 33 16 HOUSE BILL 864 | |
| 745 | 698 | ||
| 746 | - | (VI) U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE PROGRAMS , | |
| 747 | - | INCLUDING THE HOME REPAIR PROGRAM; | |
| 748 | 699 | ||
| 749 | - | (VII) THE HEALTHY HOMES FOR HEALTHY KIDS PROGRAM; | |
| 750 | 700 | ||
| 751 | - | (VIII) THE ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND CONSERVATION BLOCK | |
| 752 | - | GRANT PROGRAM ; | |
| 701 | + | (G) THE DEPARTMENT ’S APPROVED CONTRACTO RS USED FOR THE 1 | |
| 702 | + | PROGRAMS UNDER THIS SECTION SHALL MEET T HE FOLLOWING JOB 2 | |
| 703 | + | REQUIREMENTS : 3 | |
| 753 | 704 | ||
| 754 | - | ( | |
| 705 | + | (1) PAY AT LEAST 150% OF THE STATE MINIMUM WAGE ; 4 | |
| 755 | 706 | ||
| 756 | - | (X) FUNDS FROM THE FEDER AL INFLATION REDUCTION ACT OF | |
| 757 | - | 2022; AND | |
| 707 | + | (2) PROVIDE CAREER ADVAN CEMENT TRAINING ; 5 | |
| 758 | 708 | ||
| 759 | - | ( | |
| 760 | - | ||
| 709 | + | (3) AFFORD EMPLOYEES THE RIGHT TO BARGAIN COL LECTIVELY FOR 6 | |
| 710 | + | WAGES AND BENEFITS ; 7 | |
| 761 | 711 | ||
| 762 | - | (3) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ENSU RE, FOR ANY WHOLE HOME | |
| 763 | - | RETROFITS ASSOCIATED WITH WEATHERIZATION PROVIDED OR DEVELOPE D UNDER | |
| 764 | - | THE PLAN, THAT: | |
| 712 | + | (4) PROVIDE PAID LEAVE ; 8 | |
| 765 | 713 | ||
| 766 | - | (I) THERE IS A SINGLE PO INT OF CONTACT FOR LOW– AND | |
| 767 | - | MODERATE–INCOME LOW–INCOME RESIDENTIAL HOUSEHOL DS; AND | |
| 714 | + | (5) BE CONSIDERED COVERE D EMPLOYMENT FOR PUR POSES OF 9 | |
| 715 | + | UNEMPLOYMENT INSURAN CE BENEFITS IN ACCOR DANCE WITH TITLE 8 OF THE 10 | |
| 716 | + | LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT ARTICLE; 11 | |
| 768 | 717 | ||
| 769 | - | ( | |
| 770 | - | ||
| 718 | + | (6) ENTITLE THE EMPLOYEE TO WORKERS’ COMPENSATION BENEFIT S 12 | |
| 719 | + | IN ACCORDANCE WITH TITLE 9 OF THE LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT ARTICLE; 13 | |
| 771 | 720 | ||
| 772 | - | (4) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL COLL ABORATE WITH THE MEM BERS OF | |
| 773 | - | THE TASK FORCE AND IDENTIFY OT HER INTERESTED PAR TIES TO DEVELOP THE | |
| 774 | - | PLAN. | |
| 721 | + | (7) BE COMPLIANT WITH FE DERAL AND STATE WAGE AND HOUR L AWS 14 | |
| 722 | + | FOR THE PREVIOUS 3 YEARS; 15 | |
| 775 | 723 | ||
| 776 | - | (5) ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 2024, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL | |
| 777 | - | SUBMIT THE PLAN TO T HE GOVERNOR AND , IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–1257 OF THE | |
| 778 | - | STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. | |
| 779 | - | Ch. 539 2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND | |
| 724 | + | (8) OFFER EMPLOYER –PROVIDED HEALTH INSU RANCE BENEFITS 16 | |
| 725 | + | WITH MONTHLY PREMIUM S THAT DO NOT EXCEED 8.5% OF THE EMPLOYEE ’S NET 17 | |
| 726 | + | MONTHLY EARNINGS ; AND 18 | |
| 780 | 727 | ||
| 781 | - | – 18 – | |
| 782 | - | (I) THE DEPARTMENT , THE MARYLAND ENERGY ADMINISTRATION, AND | |
| 783 | - | OTHER STATE UNITS SHALL APP LY FOR ALL FEDERAL F UNDING THAT MAY BECO ME | |
| 784 | - | AVAILABLE TO CARRY O UT THIS SECTION. | |
| 728 | + | (9) OFFER RETIREMENT BEN EFITS. 19 | |
| 785 | 729 | ||
| 786 | - | (J) (1) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL COLL ABORATE WITH THE MEM BERS OF | |
| 787 | - | THE TASK FORCE TO DEVELOP A PL AN, INCLUDING A BUDGET , A TIMELINE, AND | |
| 788 | - | POTENTIAL FUNDING SO URCES, TO PROVIDE ENERGY EF FICIENCY RETROFITS T O | |
| 789 | - | ALL LOW–INCOME HOUSEHOLDS BY 2032. | |
| 730 | + | (H) (1) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL DEVE LOP A PLAN TO COORDI NATE 20 | |
| 731 | + | FUNDING SOU RCES AND LEVERAGE TH E GREATEST FUNDING P OSSIBLE TO SUPPORT 21 | |
| 732 | + | A WHOLE HOME APPROAC H BY ADDRESSING : 22 | |
| 790 | 733 | ||
| 791 | - | (2) ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 1, 2024, THE DEPARTMENT , IN | |
| 792 | - | COLLABORATION WITH T HE TASK FORCE, SHALL SUBMIT THE PLA N TO THE | |
| 793 | - | GENERAL ASSEMBLY, IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–1257 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT | |
| 794 | - | ARTICLE. | |
| 734 | + | (I) HEALTH AND SAFETY UP GRADES; 23 | |
| 795 | 735 | ||
| 796 | - | ||
| 736 | + | (II) WEATHERIZATION ; 24 | |
| 797 | 737 | ||
| 798 | - | (A) AS SOON AS POSSIBLE I N 2024, AND AT LEAST 8 MONTHS BEFORE THE | |
| 799 | - | FILING DEADLINE FOR PLANS AFTER 2024, THE COMMISSION SHALL ISSU E AN | |
| 800 | - | ORDER THAT FULLY ALLOCATES AMON G ELECTRIC COMPANIES , GAS COMPANI ES, | |
| 801 | - | AND THE DEPARTMENT THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF THE OVERAL L STATEWIDE | |
| 802 | - | DETERMINES THE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISS IONS REDUCTION TARGET DETERMINED | |
| 803 | - | TARGETS REQUIRED UNDER § 7–223(B) OF THIS SUBTITLE AND THE GREENHOUSE | |
| 804 | - | GAS EMISSIONS REDUCT IONS SPECIFIED IN REQUIRED UNDER § 7–224(A)(2) OF THIS | |
| 805 | - | SUBTITLE. | |
| 738 | + | (III) ENERGY EFFICIENCY ; AND 25 | |
| 806 | 739 | ||
| 807 | - | (B) (1) (I) ON OR BEFORE JULY 1 IF DIRECTED BY THE COMMISSION | |
| 808 | - | IN 2024, AND ON OR BEFORE JULY 1 EVERY 3 YEARS, BEGINNING STARTING IN 2024 | |
| 809 | - | 2026, EACH ELECTRIC COMPAN Y AND EACH GAS COMPA NY SUBJECT TO § 7–222(A) | |
| 810 | - | OF THIS SUBTITLE THAT SUBMITTED A PLA N FOR ACHIEVING ELEC TRICITY SAVINGS | |
| 811 | - | AND DEMAND REDUCTION TARGETS TO THE COMMISSION BEFORE JULY 1, 2024, | |
| 812 | - | AND THE DEPARTMENT , SHALL CONSULT WITH T HE TECHNICAL STAFF O F THE | |
| 813 | - | COMMISSION, THE OFFICE OF PEOPLE’S COUNSEL, THE MARYLAND ENERGY | |
| 814 | - | ADMINISTRATION , AND THE DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT REGARDING THE | |
| 815 | - | DESIGN AND ADEQUACY OF ITS PLANS FOR ACH IEVING THE GREENHOUS E GAS | |
| 816 | - | EMISSIONS REDUCTION TARGETS ESTABLISHED BY THE COMMISSION UNDER § | |
| 817 | - | 7–223(A) § 7–223(B) OF THIS SUBTITLE AND SPECIFIED IN § 7–224(A)(2) OF THIS | |
| 818 | - | SUBTITLE. | |
| 740 | + | (IV) OTHER GENERAL MAINTE NANCE FOR LOW –INCOME 26 | |
| 741 | + | HOUSING. 27 | |
| 819 | 742 | ||
| 820 | - | (II) ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 1, 2024, AND ON OR BEFORE JULY | |
| 821 | - | 1 EVERY 3 YEARS, BEGINNING STARTING IN 2027 2026, EACH ELECTRIC COMPAN Y | |
| 822 | - | AND EACH GAS COMPANY SUBJECT TO § 7–222(A) OF THIS SUBTITLE THAT DID NOT | |
| 823 | - | SUBMIT A PLAN FOR ACHIEVING ELECTRICIT Y SAVINGS AND DEMAND REDUCTION WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 539 | |
| 743 | + | (2) THE PLAN SHALL COORDI NATE FUNDING AMONG : 28 HOUSE BILL 864 17 | |
| 824 | 744 | ||
| 825 | - | – 19 – | |
| 826 | - | TARGETS TO THE COMMISSION BEFORE JULY 1, 2024, SHALL COMPLY WITH TH E | |
| 827 | - | CONSULTING REQUIREME NTS UNDER SUBPARAGRA PH (I) OF THIS PARAGRAPH . | |
| 828 | 745 | ||
| 829 | - | (2) EACH ELECTRIC COMPANY , AND EACH GAS COMPANY , AND THE | |
| 830 | - | DEPARTMENT SUBJECT TO § 7–222(A) OF THIS SUBTITLE SHALL PROVIDE THE | |
| 831 | - | TECHNICAL STAFF OF T HE COMMISSION, THE OFFICE OF PEOPLE’S COUNSEL, THE | |
| 832 | - | MARYLAND ENERGY ADMINISTRATION , AND THE DEPARTMENT OF THE | |
| 833 | - | ENVIRONMENT WITH ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATI ON REGARDING ITS P LAN, AS | |
| 834 | - | REQUESTED . | |
| 835 | 746 | ||
| 836 | - | (C) (1) (I) ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 1 IF DIRECTED BY THE | |
| 837 | - | COMMISSION IN 2024, AND ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 1 EVERY 3 YEARS, | |
| 838 | - | BEGINNING STARTING IN 2024 2026, EACH ELECTRIC COMPAN Y AND EACH GAS | |
| 839 | - | COMPANY SUBJECT TO § 7–222(A) OF THIS SUBTITLE THAT SUBMITTED A PLA N FOR | |
| 840 | - | ACHIEVING ELECTRICIT Y SAVINGS AND DEMAND REDUCTION TARGETS TO THE | |
| 841 | - | COMMISSION BEFORE JULY 1, 2024, AND THE DEPARTMENT , SHALL SUBMIT ITS | |
| 842 | - | PLAN TO THE COMMISSION. | |
| 747 | + | (I) THE STRATEGIC ENERGY INVESTMENT FUND; 1 | |
| 843 | 748 | ||
| 844 | - | (II) ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 1, 2024, AND ON OR BEFORE | |
| 845 | - | SEPTEMBER 1 EVERY 3 YEARS, BEGINNING STARTING IN 2027 2026, EACH ELECTRIC | |
| 846 | - | COMPANY AND EACH GAS COMPANY THAT DID NOT SUBMIT A PLAN FOR AC HIEVING | |
| 847 | - | ELECTRICITY SAVINGS AND DEMAND R EDUCTION TARGETS TO THE COMMISSION | |
| 848 | - | BEFORE JULY 1, 2024, SHALL SUBMIT ITS PLA N TO THE COMMISSION. | |
| 749 | + | (II) FEDERAL WEATHERIZATI ON ASSISTANCE PROGRA MS; 2 | |
| 849 | 750 | ||
| 850 | - | (2) EACH PLAN SHALL DETAI L A PROPOSAL FOR ACH IEVING | |
| 851 | - | GREENHOUSE GAS EMISS IONS REDUCTION TARGE TS FOR 3 SUBSEQUENT CALENDAR | |
| 852 | - | YEARS. | |
| 751 | + | (III) RATEPAYER CONTRIBUTI ONS TO: 3 | |
| 853 | 752 | ||
| 854 | - | (3) (I) EACH PLAN SHALL : | |
| 753 | + | 1. THE EMPOWER MARYLAND LIMITED INCOME 4 | |
| 754 | + | ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAM; AND 5 | |
| 855 | 755 | ||
| 856 | - | 1. INCLUDE: | |
| 756 | + | 2. THE MULTIFAMILY ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND 6 | |
| 757 | + | HOUSING AFFORDABILITY PROGRAM; 7 | |
| 857 | 758 | ||
| 858 | - | A. A DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED PROGRAMS AN D | |
| 859 | - | SERVICES; | |
| 759 | + | (IV) THE MARYLAND AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST FUND; 8 | |
| 860 | 760 | ||
| 861 | - | B. ANTICIPATED COSTS ; | |
| 761 | + | (V) U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN 9 | |
| 762 | + | DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS , INCLUDING: 10 | |
| 862 | 763 | ||
| 863 | - | C. PROJECTED BENEFITS , INCLUDING GREENHOUSE | |
| 864 | - | GAS EMISSIONS REDUCT IONS, ELECTRICITY SAVINGS , AND GAS SAVINGS ; AND | |
| 764 | + | 1. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANTS; 11 | |
| 865 | 765 | ||
| 866 | - | D. ANY OTHER INFORMATIO N REQUESTED BY THE | |
| 867 | - | COMMISSION; AND | |
| 868 | - | Ch. 539 2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND | |
| 766 | + | 2. THE HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP GRANTS 12 | |
| 767 | + | PROGRAM; AND 13 | |
| 869 | 768 | ||
| 870 | - | – 20 – | |
| 871 | - | 2. ADDRESS RESIDENTIAL , COMMERCIAL , AND | |
| 872 | - | INDUSTRIAL SECTORS AS APPROPRIA TE, INCLUDING LOW –INCOME COMMUNITIES | |
| 873 | - | AND LOW– TO MODERATE –INCOME COMMUNITIES . | |
| 769 | + | 3. LEAD HAZARD CONTROL AND HEALTHY HOMES 14 | |
| 770 | + | GRANTS; 15 | |
| 874 | 771 | ||
| 875 | - | (II) A PLAN OF THE DEPARTMENT SHALL INCL UDE: | |
| 772 | + | (VI) U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE PROGRAMS , 16 | |
| 773 | + | INCLUDING THE HOME REPAIR PROGRAM; 17 | |
| 876 | 774 | ||
| 877 | - | 1. A DEFINITION OF “LOW– OR MODERATE –INCOME | |
| 878 | - | LOW–INCOME INDIVIDUAL” TO BE USED IN THE PR OCUREMENT OR PROVISION OF | |
| 879 | - | ENERGY EFFICIENCY , CONSERVATION , AND GREENHOUSE GAS E MISSIONS | |
| 880 | - | REDUCTION PROGRAMS A ND SERVICES; | |
| 775 | + | (VII) THE HEALTHY HOMES FOR HEALTHY KIDS PROGRAM; 18 | |
| 881 | 776 | ||
| 882 | - | 2. A DESCRIPTION OF THE STEPS PROPOSED TO EN SURE | |
| 883 | - | INSULATION MATERIALS MEET THE REQUIREMENT S UNDER § 7–224 OF THIS | |
| 884 | - | SUBTITLE; AND | |
| 777 | + | (VIII) THE ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND CONSERVATION BLOCK 19 | |
| 778 | + | GRANT PROGRAM ; 20 | |
| 885 | 779 | ||
| 886 | - | 3. A PROPO SED AVERAGE LIFETIME MEASURE | |
| 887 | - | THRESHOLD THAT : | |
| 780 | + | (IX) STATE APPROPRIATIONS ; 21 | |
| 888 | 781 | ||
| 889 | - | | |
| 890 | - | ||
| 782 | + | (X) FUNDS FROM THE FEDER AL INFLATION REDUCTION ACT OF 22 | |
| 783 | + | 2022; AND 23 | |
| 891 | 784 | ||
| 892 | - | B. IS DEVELOPED THROUGH A STAKEHOLDER | |
| 893 | - | ENGAGEMENT PROCESS . | |
| 785 | + | (XI) ANY OTHER SOURCE OF FUNDING THAT THE DEPARTMENT 24 | |
| 786 | + | OR THE TASK FORCE IDENTIFIES . 25 | |
| 787 | + | 18 HOUSE BILL 864 | |
| 894 | 788 | ||
| 895 | - | (III) A PLAN OF AN ELECTRIC COMPANY SHALL INCLUD E THE | |
| 896 | - | PROVISION OR PROCUREMENT OF PR OGRAMS AND SERVICES FOR RESIDENTIAL | |
| 897 | - | BENEFICIAL ELECTRIFI CATION. | |
| 898 | 789 | ||
| 899 | - | (D) (1) THE COMMISSION SHALL REVI EW THE PLAN OF EACH ELECTRIC | |
| 900 | - | COMPANY, EACH GAS COMPANY , AND THE DEPARTMENT TO DETERMI NE WHETHER | |
| 901 | - | THE PLAN IS ADEQUATE AND COST–EFFECTIVE IN ACHIEVING THE GREE NHOUSE | |
| 902 | - | GAS EMISSIONS REDUCT ION TARGETS ESTABLIS HED BY THE COMMISSION UNDER § | |
| 903 | - | 7–223(B) OF THIS SUBTITLE AND SPECIFIED IN § 7–224(A)(2) §§ 7–223(B) AND | |
| 904 | - | 7–224(A)(2) OF THIS SUBTITLE. | |
| 790 | + | (3) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ENSU RE, FOR ANY WHOLE HOME 1 | |
| 791 | + | RETROFITS ASSOCIATED WITH WEATHERIZATION PROVIDED OR DEVELOPE D UNDER 2 | |
| 792 | + | THE PLAN, THAT: 3 | |
| 905 | 793 | ||
| 906 | - | (2) THE COMMISSION SHALL CONS IDER ANY WRITTEN FIN DINGS | |
| 907 | - | PROVIDED BY THE MARYLAND ENERGY ADMINISTRATION , THE DEPARTMENT OF | |
| 908 | - | THE ENVIRONMENT , AND THE OFFICE OF PEOPLE’S COUNSEL REGARDING THE | |
| 909 | - | DESIGN AND ADEQUACY OF THE PLAN. | |
| 794 | + | (I) THERE IS A SINGLE PO INT OF CONTACT FOR LOW– AND 4 | |
| 795 | + | MODERATE–INCOME LOW–INCOME RESIDENTIAL HOUSEHOL DS; AND 5 | |
| 910 | 796 | ||
| 911 | - | (3) SUBJECT TO PARAGRAPH (4) OF THIS SUBSECTION , IN | |
| 912 | - | APPROVING, MODIFYING, OR DENYING THE PLAN OF AN ELECT RIC COMPANY OR A | |
| 913 | - | GAS COMPANY , THE COMMISSION SHALL CONS IDER: WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 539 | |
| 797 | + | (II) SERVICES ARE OFFERED IN ANY LANGUAGE NEED ED BY THE 6 | |
| 798 | + | LOW– AND MODERATE –INCOME LOW–INCOME RESIDENTIAL HOUSEHOL DS. 7 | |
| 914 | 799 | ||
| 915 | - | – 21 – | |
| 800 | + | (4) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL COLL ABORATE WITH THE MEM BERS OF 8 | |
| 801 | + | THE TASK FORCE AND IDENTIFY OT HER INTERESTED PARTI ES TO DEVELOP THE 9 | |
| 802 | + | PLAN. 10 | |
| 916 | 803 | ||
| 917 | - | (I) THE COST –EFFECTIVENESS OF THE RESIDENTIAL, | |
| 918 | - | COMMERCIAL , AND INDUSTRIAL SECTO R SUBPORTFOLIOS BY U SING: | |
| 804 | + | (5) ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 2024, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL 11 | |
| 805 | + | SUBMIT THE PLAN TO T HE GOVERNOR AND , IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–1257 OF THE 12 | |
| 806 | + | STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. 13 | |
| 919 | 807 | ||
| 920 | - | 1. THE PRIMARY STATE JURISDICTION –SPECIFIC TEST, | |
| 921 | - | AS DEVELOPED , UPDATED, OR APPROVED BY THE COMMISSION, TO DETERMINE THE | |
| 922 | - | COST–EFFECTIVENESS OF A P ROGRAM OR SERVICE PR OSPECTIVELY, INCLUDING | |
| 923 | - | CONSIDERATION OF : | |
| 808 | + | (I) THE DEPARTMENT , THE MARYLAND ENERGY ADMINISTRATION , AND 14 | |
| 809 | + | OTHER STATE UNITS SHALL A PPLY FOR ALL FEDERAL FUNDING THAT MAY BEC OME 15 | |
| 810 | + | AVAILABLE TO CARRY O UT THIS SECTION. 16 | |
| 924 | 811 | ||
| 925 | - | A. PARTICIPANT NONENERG Y BENEFITS; | |
| 812 | + | (J) (1) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL COLL ABORATE WITH THE MEM BERS OF 17 | |
| 813 | + | THE TASK FORCE TO DEVELOP A PL AN, INCLUDING A BUDGET , A TIMELINE, AND 18 | |
| 814 | + | POTENTIAL FUNDING SO URCES, TO PROVIDE ENERGY EFFICIENCY RE TROFITS TO 19 | |
| 815 | + | ALL LOW–INCOME HOUSEHOLDS BY 2032. 20 | |
| 926 | 816 | ||
| 927 | - | B. UTILITY NONENERGY BE NEFITS; AND | |
| 817 | + | (2) ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 1, 2024, THE DEPARTMENT , IN 21 | |
| 818 | + | COLLABORATION WITH T HE TASK FORCE, SHALL SUBMIT THE PLA N TO THE 22 | |
| 819 | + | GENERAL ASSEMBLY, IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–1257 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT 23 | |
| 820 | + | ARTICLE. 24 | |
| 928 | 821 | ||
| 929 | - | ||
| 822 | + | 7–225. 25 | |
| 930 | 823 | ||
| 931 | - | 2. A TOTAL RESOURCE COS T TEST TO COMPARE TH E | |
| 932 | - | ELECTRICITY SAVINGS AND DEMAND REDUCTION TARGETS OF THE PROGR AM OR | |
| 933 | - | SERVICE WITH THE RES ULTS OF SIMILAR PROG RAMS OR SERVICES IMP LEMENTED | |
| 934 | - | IN OTHER JURISDICTIO NS, INCLUDING: | |
| 824 | + | (A) AS SOON AS POSSIBLE I N 2024, AND AT LEAST 8 MONTHS BEFORE THE 26 | |
| 825 | + | FILING DEADLINE FOR PLANS AFTER 2024, THE COMMISSION SHALL ISSU E AN 27 | |
| 826 | + | ORDER THAT FULLY ALLOCATES AMON G ELECTRIC COMPANIES , GAS COMPANIES , 28 | |
| 827 | + | AND THE DEPARTMENT THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF THE OVERALL STA TEWIDE 29 | |
| 828 | + | DETERMINES THE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISS IONS REDUCTION TARGET DETERMINED 30 | |
| 829 | + | TARGETS REQUIRED UNDER § 7–223(B) OF THIS SUBTITLE AND THE GREENHOUSE 31 | |
| 830 | + | GAS EMISSIONS REDUCT IONS SPECIFIED IN REQUIRED UNDER § 7–224(A)(2) OF THIS 32 | |
| 831 | + | SUBTITLE. 33 | |
| 832 | + | HOUSE BILL 864 19 | |
| 935 | 833 | ||
| 936 | - | A. PARTICIPANT NONENERGY BENEFI TS; AND | |
| 937 | 834 | ||
| 938 | - | B. UTILITY NONENERGY BE NEFITS; | |
| 835 | + | (B) (1) (I) ON OR BEFORE JULY 1 IF DIRECTED BY THE COMMISSION 1 | |
| 836 | + | IN 2024, AND ON OR BEFORE JULY 1 EVERY 3 YEARS, BEGINNING STARTING IN 2024 2 | |
| 837 | + | 2026, EACH ELECTRIC COMPAN Y AND EACH GAS COMPA NY SUBJECT TO § 7–222(A) 3 | |
| 838 | + | OF THIS SUBTITLE THAT SUBMITTED A PLA N FOR ACHIEVING ELECTRICITY SAVINGS 4 | |
| 839 | + | AND DEMAND REDUCTION TARGETS TO THE COMMISSION BEFORE JULY 1, 2024, 5 | |
| 840 | + | AND THE DEPARTMENT , SHALL CONSULT WITH T HE TECHNICAL STAFF O F THE 6 | |
| 841 | + | COMMISSION, THE OFFICE OF PEOPLE’S COUNSEL, THE MARYLAND ENERGY 7 | |
| 842 | + | ADMINISTRATION , AND THE DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT REGARDING THE 8 | |
| 843 | + | DESIGN AND ADEQUACY OF ITS PLANS FOR ACH IEVING THE GREENHOUS E GAS 9 | |
| 844 | + | EMISSIONS REDUCTION TARGETS ESTABLISHED BY THE COMMISSION UNDER § 10 | |
| 845 | + | 7–223(A) § 7–223(B) OF THIS SUBTITLE AND SPECIFIED IN § 7–224(A)(2) OF THIS 11 | |
| 846 | + | SUBTITLE. 12 | |
| 939 | 847 | ||
| 940 | - | (II) THE IMPACT ON RATES OF EACH RATEPAYER CL ASS; | |
| 848 | + | (II) ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 1, 2024, AND ON OR BEFORE JULY 13 | |
| 849 | + | 1 EVERY 3 YEARS, BEGINNING STARTING IN 2027 2026, EACH ELECTRIC COMPAN Y 14 | |
| 850 | + | AND EACH GAS COMPANY SUBJECT TO § 7–222(A) OF THIS SUBTITLE THAT DID NOT 15 | |
| 851 | + | SUBMIT A PLAN FOR AC HIEVING ELECTRICITY SAVINGS AND DEMA ND REDUCTION 16 | |
| 852 | + | TARGETS TO THE COMMISSION BEFORE JULY 1, 2024, SHALL COMPLY WITH TH E 17 | |
| 853 | + | CONSULTING REQUIREME NTS UNDER SUBPARAGRA PH (I) OF THIS PARAGRAPH . 18 | |
| 941 | 854 | ||
| 942 | - | (III) THE IMPACT ON JOBS ; | |
| 855 | + | (2) EACH ELECTRIC COMPANY , AND EACH GAS COMPANY , AND THE 19 | |
| 856 | + | DEPARTMENT SUBJECT TO § 7–222(A) OF THIS SUBTITLE SHALL PROVIDE THE 20 | |
| 857 | + | TECHNICAL STAFF OF T HE COMMISSION, THE OFFICE OF PEOPLE’S COUNSEL, THE 21 | |
| 858 | + | MARYLAND ENERGY ADMINISTRATION , AND THE DEPARTMENT OF THE 22 | |
| 859 | + | ENVIRONMENT WITH ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATI ON REGARDING ITS PLA N, AS 23 | |
| 860 | + | REQUESTED . 24 | |
| 943 | 861 | ||
| 944 | - | (IV) THE IMPACT ON THE EN VIRONMENT; AND | |
| 862 | + | (C) (1) (I) ON OR BE FORE SEPTEMBER 1 IF DIRECTED BY THE 25 | |
| 863 | + | COMMISSION IN 2024, AND ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 1 EVERY 3 YEARS, 26 | |
| 864 | + | BEGINNING STARTING IN 2024 2026, EACH ELECTRIC COMPAN Y AND EACH GAS 27 | |
| 865 | + | COMPANY SUBJECT TO § 7–222(A) OF THIS SUBTITLE THAT SUBMITTED A PLA N FOR 28 | |
| 866 | + | ACHIEVING ELECT RICITY SAVINGS AND D EMAND REDUCTION TARG ETS TO THE 29 | |
| 867 | + | COMMISSION BEFORE JULY 1, 2024, AND THE DEPARTMENT , SHALL SUBMIT ITS 30 | |
| 868 | + | PLAN TO THE COMMISSION. 31 | |
| 945 | 869 | ||
| 946 | - | (V) THE IMPACT ON THE GR EENHOUSE GAS EMISSIO NS | |
| 947 | - | REDUCTION TARGETS SP ECIFIED IN TITLE 2, SUBTITLE 12 OF THE ENVIRONMENT | |
| 948 | - | ARTICLE, ESTABLISHED BY THE COMMISSION UNDER § 7–223(B) OF THIS SUBTITLE, | |
| 949 | - | AND SPECIFIED IN § 7–224(A)(2) §§ 7–223(B) AND 7–224(A)(2) OF THIS SUBTITLE. | |
| 870 | + | (II) ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 1, 2024, AND ON OR BEFORE 32 | |
| 871 | + | SEPTEMBER 1 EVERY 3 YEARS, BEGINNING STARTING IN 2027 2026, EACH ELECTRIC 33 | |
| 872 | + | COMPANY AND EACH GAS COMPANY THAT DID NOT SUBMIT A PLAN FOR AC HIEVING 34 | |
| 873 | + | ELECTRICITY SAVINGS AND DEMAND R EDUCTION TARGETS TO THE COMMISSION 35 | |
| 874 | + | BEFORE JULY 1, 2024, SHALL SUBMIT ITS PLA N TO THE COMMISSION. 36 | |
| 875 | + | 20 HOUSE BILL 864 | |
| 950 | 876 | ||
| 951 | - | (4) NONENERGY BENEFITS CO NSIDERED UNDER PARAG RAPH (3) OF | |
| 952 | - | THIS SUBSECTION SHAL L BE QUANTIFIABLE AN D DIRECTLY RELATED T O A | |
| 953 | - | PROGRAM OR SERVICE . | |
| 954 | 877 | ||
| 955 | - | (5) (I) IN APPROVING, MODIFYING, OR DENYING THE PLAN OF THE | |
| 956 | - | DEPARTMENT , THE COMMISSION SHALL CONS IDER: | |
| 878 | + | (2) EACH PLAN SHALL DETAI L A PROPO SAL FOR ACHIEVING 1 | |
| 879 | + | GREENHOUSE GAS EMISS IONS REDUCTION TARGE TS FOR 3 SUBSEQUENT CALENDAR 2 | |
| 880 | + | YEARS. 3 | |
| 957 | 881 | ||
| 958 | - | 1. SUBJECT TO SUBPARAGR APH (II) OF THIS | |
| 959 | - | PARAGRAPH , THE COST–EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PLAN BY USING THE PR IMARY Ch. 539 2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND | |
| 882 | + | (3) (I) EACH PLAN SHALL : 4 | |
| 960 | 883 | ||
| 961 | - | – 22 – | |
| 962 | - | STATE JURISDICTION –SPECIFIC TEST, AS DEVELOPED , UPDATED, OR APPROVED BY | |
| 963 | - | THE COMMISSION; | |
| 884 | + | 1. INCLUDE: 5 | |
| 964 | 885 | ||
| 965 | - | 2. THE IMPACT ON RATES OF EACH RATEPAYER CL ASS; | |
| 886 | + | A. A DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED PROGRAMS AN D 6 | |
| 887 | + | SERVICES; 7 | |
| 966 | 888 | ||
| 967 | - | | |
| 889 | + | B. ANTICIPATED COSTS ; 8 | |
| 968 | 890 | ||
| 969 | - | 4. THE IMPACT ON THE EN VIRONMENT; AND | |
| 891 | + | C. PROJECTED BENEFITS , INCLUDING GREENHOUSE 9 | |
| 892 | + | GAS EMISSIONS REDUCT IONS, ELECTRICITY SAVINGS , AND GAS SAVINGS ; AND 10 | |
| 970 | 893 | ||
| 971 | - | 5. THE IMPACT ON THE GR EENHOUSE GAS EMISSIO NS | |
| 972 | - | TARGETS SPECIFIED IN TITLE 2, SUBTITLE 12 OF THE ENVIRONMENT ARTICLE, | |
| 973 | - | ESTABLISHED BY THE COMMISSION UNDER § 7–223(B) OF THIS SUBTITLE , AND | |
| 974 | - | SPECIFIED IN § 7–224(A)(2) OF THIS SUBTITLE. | |
| 894 | + | D. ANY OTHER INFORMATIO N REQUESTED BY THE 11 | |
| 895 | + | COMMISSION; AND 12 | |
| 975 | 896 | ||
| 976 | - | (II) THE PROGRAMS AND SERV ICES OFFERED BY THE | |
| 977 | - | DEPARTMENT ARE NOT RE QUIRED TO BE COST –EFFECTIVE. | |
| 897 | + | 2. ADDRESS RESIDENTIAL , COMMERCIAL , AND 13 | |
| 898 | + | INDUSTRIAL SECTORS A S APPROPRIATE , INCLUDING LOW –INCOME COMMUNITIES 14 | |
| 899 | + | AND LOW– TO MODERATE –INCOME COMMUNITIES . 15 | |
| 978 | 900 | ||
| 979 | - | (E) THE DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT SHALL PRE PARE AND | |
| 980 | - | SUBMIT TO THE COMMISSION AN ANALYSI S REGARDING THE ADEQUACY OF THE | |
| 981 | - | PLAN IN SUPPORTING T HE STATE’S GREENHOUSE GAS EMI SSIONS REDUCTION | |
| 982 | - | GOALS SPECIFIED IN TITLE 2, SUBTITLE 12 OF THE ENVIRONMENT ARTICLE, | |
| 983 | - | ESTABLISHED BY THE COMMISSION UNDER § 7–223(B) OF THIS SUBTITLE , AND | |
| 984 | - | SPECIFIED IN REQUIRED UNDER § 7–224(A)(2) OF THIS SUBTITLE. | |
| 901 | + | (II) A PLAN OF THE DEPARTMENT SHALL INCL UDE: 16 | |
| 985 | 902 | ||
| 986 | - | 7–226. | |
| 903 | + | 1. A DEFINITION OF “LOW– OR MODERATE –INCOME 17 | |
| 904 | + | LOW–INCOME INDIVIDUAL” TO BE USED IN THE PR OCUREMENT OR PROVISI ON OF 18 | |
| 905 | + | ENERGY EFFICIENCY , CONSERVATION , AND GREENHOUSE GAS E MISSIONS 19 | |
| 906 | + | REDUCTION PROGRAMS A ND SERVICES; 20 | |
| 987 | 907 | ||
| 988 | - | (A) (1) EACH ELECTRIC COMPANY , EACH GAS COMPANY , AND THE | |
| 989 | - | DEPARTMENT SHALL PROV IDE TO THE COMMISSION EVERY 6 MONTHS AN UPDATE | |
| 990 | - | ON PLAN IMPLEMENTATI ON AND PROGRESS MADE TOWARD ACHIEVING THE | |
| 991 | - | GREENHOUSE GAS EMISS IONS REDUCTION TARGE TS ESTABLISHED BY TH E | |
| 992 | - | COMMISSION UNDE R § 7–223(B) OF THIS SUBTITLE AND SPECIFIED IN REQUIRED | |
| 993 | - | UNDER § 7–224(A)(2) OF THIS SUBTITLE. | |
| 908 | + | 2. A DESCRIPTION OF THE STEPS PROPOSED TO EN SURE 21 | |
| 909 | + | INSULATION MATERIALS MEET THE REQUIREMENT S UNDER § 7–224 OF THIS 22 | |
| 910 | + | SUBTITLE; AND 23 | |
| 994 | 911 | ||
| 995 | - | (2) THE COMMISSION SHALL MONI TOR AND ANALYZE THE IMPACT OF | |
| 996 | - | EACH PROGRAM AND SER VICE TO ENSURE THAT THE OUTCOME OF EACH PROGRAM | |
| 997 | - | AND SERVICE PROVIDES THE BEST POSSIBLE RESULTS . | |
| 912 | + | 3. A PROPOSED AVERAGE L IFETIME MEASURE 24 | |
| 913 | + | THRESHOLD THAT : 25 | |
| 998 | 914 | ||
| 999 | - | (3) IN MONITORING AND ANA LYZING THE IMPACT OF A PROGRAM OR | |
| 1000 | - | SERVICE UNDER PARAGR APH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION , IF THE COMMISSION FINDS | |
| 1001 | - | THAT THE OUTCOME OF THE PROGRAM OR SERVI CE MAY NOT BE PROVID ING THE | |
| 1002 | - | BEST POSSIBLE RESULT S, THE COMMISSION SHALL DIRECT THE ELE CTRIC | |
| 1003 | - | COMPANY, THE GAS COMPANY , OR THE DEPARTMENT TO INCLUDE IN ITS NEXT WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 539 | |
| 915 | + | A. ENCOURAGES THE DELIV ERY OF INSULATION AN D 26 | |
| 916 | + | WEATHERIZATION MEASU RES; AND 27 | |
| 1004 | 917 | ||
| 1005 | - | ||
| 1006 | - | ||
| 1007 | - | ||
| 918 | + | B. IS DEVELOPED THROUGH A STAKEHOLDER 28 | |
| 919 | + | ENGAGEMENT PROCESS . 29 | |
| 920 | + | HOUSE BILL 864 21 | |
| 1008 | 921 | ||
| 1009 | - | (B) (1) AT LEAST ONCE EACH YE AR, EACH ELECTRIC COMPAN Y AND EACH | |
| 1010 | - | GAS COMPANY SHALL NOTIFY AFF ECTED CUSTOMERS OF T HE ENERGY EFFICIENCY | |
| 1011 | - | AND CONSERVATION AND GREENHOUSE GAS REDUC TION CHARGES IMPOSED AND | |
| 1012 | - | BENEFITS CONFERRED . | |
| 1013 | 922 | ||
| 1014 | - | ( | |
| 1015 | - | ||
| 1016 | - | ||
| 923 | + | (III) A PLAN OF AN ELECTRIC COMPANY SHALL INCLUD E THE 1 | |
| 924 | + | PROVISION OR PROCURE MENT OF PROGRAMS AND SERVICES FOR RESIDENTIAL 2 | |
| 925 | + | BENEFICIAL ELECTRIFI CATION. 3 | |
| 1017 | 926 | ||
| 1018 | - | (C) ON OR BEFORE MAY 1 EACH YEAR, THE COMMISSION SHALL REPO RT, | |
| 1019 | - | IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–1257 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE, TO THE | |
| 1020 | - | GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON: | |
| 927 | + | (D) (1) THE COMMISSION SHALL REVI EW THE PLAN OF EACH ELECTRIC 4 | |
| 928 | + | COMPANY, EACH GAS COMPANY , AND THE DEPARTMENT TO DETERMI NE WHETHER 5 | |
| 929 | + | THE PLAN IS ADEQUATE AND COST–EFFECTIVE IN ACHIEVI NG THE GREENHOUSE 6 | |
| 930 | + | GAS EMISSIONS RED UCTION TARGETS ESTAB LISHED BY THE COMMISSION UNDER § 7 | |
| 931 | + | 7–223(B) OF THIS SUBTITLE AND SPECIFIED IN § 7–224(A)(2) §§ 7–223(B) AND 8 | |
| 932 | + | 7–224(A)(2) OF THIS SUBTITLE. 9 | |
| 1021 | 933 | ||
| 1022 | - | (1) THE STATUS OF PROGRA MS AND SERVICES APPR OVED UNDER | |
| 1023 | - | THIS SUBTITLE, INCLUDING AN EVALUAT ION OF THE IMPACT OF THE PROGRAMS | |
| 1024 | - | AND SERVICES THAT AR E DIRECTED TO LOW –INCOME COMMUNITIES , LOW– TO | |
| 1025 | - | MODERATE–INCOME COMMUNITIES T O THE EXTENT POSSIBL E, AND OTHER | |
| 1026 | - | PARTICULAR CLASSES O F RATEPAYERS ; | |
| 934 | + | (2) THE COMMISSION SHALL CONS IDER ANY WRITTEN FIN DINGS 10 | |
| 935 | + | PROVIDED BY THE MARYLAND ENERGY ADMINISTRATION, THE DEPARTMENT OF 11 | |
| 936 | + | THE ENVIRONMENT , AND THE OFFICE OF PEOPLE’S COUNSEL REGARDING THE 12 | |
| 937 | + | DESIGN AND ADEQUACY OF THE PLAN. 13 | |
| 1027 | 938 | ||
| 1028 | - | (2) A RECOMMENDATION FOR THE APPROPRIATE FUNDING LEVEL TO | |
| 1029 | - | ADEQUATELY FUND THES E PROGRAMS AND SERVI CES; | |
| 939 | + | (3) SUBJECT TO PARAGRAPH (4) OF THIS SUBSECTION , IN 14 | |
| 940 | + | APPROVING, MODIFYING, OR DENYING THE PLAN OF AN ELECTRIC COMPA NY OR A 15 | |
| 941 | + | GAS COMPANY, THE COMMISSION SHALL CONS IDER: 16 | |
| 1030 | 942 | ||
| 1031 | - | ( | |
| 1032 | - | ||
| 943 | + | (I) THE COST –EFFECTIVENESS OF THE RESIDENTIAL, 17 | |
| 944 | + | COMMERCIAL , AND INDUSTRIAL SECTO R SUBPORTFOLIOS BY U SING: 18 | |
| 1033 | 945 | ||
| 1034 | - | (4) BEGINNING IN 2026, PROGRESS MADE TOWARD REDUCING | |
| 1035 | - | GREENHOUSE GAS EMISS IONS IN ACCORDANCE W ITH §§ 7–223 AND 7–224 OF THIS | |
| 1036 | - | SUBTITLE. | |
| 946 | + | 1. THE PRIMARY STATE JURISDICTION –SPECIFIC TEST, 19 | |
| 947 | + | AS DEVELOPED , UPDATED, OR APPROVED BY THE COMMISSION, TO DETERMINE THE 20 | |
| 948 | + | COST–EFFECTIVENESS OF A P ROGRAM OR SERVICE PR OSPECTIVELY, INCLUDING 21 | |
| 949 | + | CONSIDERATION OF : 22 | |
| 1037 | 950 | ||
| 1038 | - | ||
| 951 | + | A. PARTICIPANT NONENERG Y BENEFITS; 23 | |
| 1039 | 952 | ||
| 1040 | - | (A) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY O THER LAW, THE COMMISSION MAY NOT | |
| 1041 | - | REQUIRE OR ALLOW AN ELECTRIC COMPANY OR A GAS COMPANY TO REQ UIRE A | |
| 1042 | - | CUSTOMER TO AUTHORIZ E THE ELECTRIC CO MPANY OR GAS COMPANY TO CONTROL | |
| 1043 | - | THE AMOUNT OF THE CU STOMER’S ELECTRICITY USAGE OR GAS USAGE. | |
| 953 | + | B. UTILITY NONENERGY BE NEFITS; AND 24 | |
| 1044 | 954 | ||
| 1045 | - | (B) A CUSTOMER MAY PROVIDE CONSENT TO PARTICIPA TE IN A PROGRAM | |
| 1046 | - | OF AN ELECTRIC COMPA NY OR A GAS COMPANY THAT PROVIDES DIRECT LOAD | |
| 1047 | - | CONTROL OR OTHER UTI LITY MANIPUL ATION OF A CUSTOMER ’S ELECTRICITY OR | |
| 1048 | - | GAS USAGE. | |
| 1049 | - | Ch. 539 2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND | |
| 955 | + | C. SOCIETAL NONENERGY B ENEFITS; AND 25 | |
| 1050 | 956 | ||
| 1051 | - | – 24 – | |
| 1052 | - | 7–228. | |
| 957 | + | 2. A TOTAL RESOURCE COS T TEST TO COMPARE THE 26 | |
| 958 | + | ELECTRICITY SAVINGS AND DEMAND REDUCTION TARGETS OF THE PROGR AM OR 27 | |
| 959 | + | SERVICE WITH THE RES ULTS OF SIMILAR PROG RAMS OR SERVICES IMP LEMENTED 28 | |
| 960 | + | IN OTHER JURISDICTIO NS, INCLUDING: 29 | |
| 1053 | 961 | ||
| 1054 | - | (A) EACH ELECTRIC COMPANY AND EACH GAS COMPANY SHALL PROMOTE | |
| 1055 | - | THE AVAILABILITY OF FEDERAL AND STATE REBATES , TAX CREDITS , AND | |
| 1056 | - | INCENTIVES THAT CAN BE USED TO SUPPORT E NERGY EFFICIENCY INV ESTMENTS, | |
| 1057 | - | ENERGY EFFICIENT AND NON–FOSSIL–FUEL–POWERED APPLIANCES A ND COOKING | |
| 1058 | - | EQUIPMENT, BREAKER BOX UPGRADES , AND PORTABLE HEATING AND COOLING | |
| 1059 | - | EQUIPMENT. | |
| 962 | + | A. PARTICIPANT NONENERG Y BENEFITS; AND 30 | |
| 1060 | 963 | ||
| 1061 | - | (B) THE COMMISSION SHALL ADOP T REGULATIONS TO CAR RY OUT THIS | |
| 1062 | - | SECTION. | |
| 964 | + | B. UTILITY NONENERGY BENEFITS; 31 | |
| 1063 | 965 | ||
| 1064 | - | ||
| 966 | + | (II) THE IMPACT ON RATES OF EACH RATEPAYER CL ASS; 32 22 HOUSE BILL 864 | |
| 1065 | 967 | ||
| 1066 | - | (j) (2) A community choice aggregator, in consultation with all | |
| 1067 | - | investor–owned electric companies whose service territories include all or part of the county | |
| 1068 | - | and the Department of Housing and Community Development, may promote energy | |
| 1069 | - | efficiency programs that are: | |
| 1070 | 968 | ||
| 1071 | - | (i) offered by the investor–owned electric companies; or | |
| 1072 | 969 | ||
| 1073 | - | (ii) filed by the investor–owned electric companies with the | |
| 1074 | - | Commission for its approval in accordance with [§ 7–211] SUBTITLE 2, PART II of this | |
| 1075 | - | title. | |
| 970 | + | (III) THE IMPACT ON JOBS ; 1 | |
| 1076 | 971 | ||
| 1077 | - | ||
| 972 | + | (IV) THE IMPACT ON THE EN VIRONMENT; AND 2 | |
| 1078 | 973 | ||
| 1079 | - | 9–20B–05. | |
| 974 | + | (V) THE IMPACT ON THE GR EENHOUSE GAS EMISSIO NS 3 | |
| 975 | + | REDUCTION TARGETS SP ECIFIED IN TITLE 2, SUBTITLE 12 OF THE ENVIRONMENT 4 | |
| 976 | + | ARTICLE, ESTABLISHED BY THE COMMISSION UNDER § 7–223(B) OF THIS SUBTITLE, 5 | |
| 977 | + | AND SPECIFIED IN § 7–224(A)(2) §§ 7–223(B) AND 7–224(A)(2) OF THIS SUBTITLE. 6 | |
| 1080 | 978 | ||
| 1081 | - | (f) The Administration shall use the Fund: | |
| 979 | + | (4) NONENERGY BENEFITS CO NSIDERED UNDER PARAG RAPH (3) OF 7 | |
| 980 | + | THIS SUBSECTION SHAL L BE QUANTIFIABLE AND DIRECTLY RELATED TO A 8 | |
| 981 | + | PROGRAM OR SERVICE . 9 | |
| 1082 | 982 | ||
| 1083 | - | (4) to provide rate relief by offsetting electricity rates of residential | |
| 1084 | - | customers, including an offset of surcharges imposed on ratepayers under [§ 7–211] TITLE | |
| 1085 | - | 7, SUBTITLE 2, PART II of the Public Utilities Article; | |
| 983 | + | (5) (I) IN APPROVING, MODIFYING, OR DENYING THE PLAN OF THE 10 | |
| 984 | + | DEPARTMENT , THE COMMISSION SHALL CONS IDER: 11 | |
| 1086 | 985 | ||
| 1087 | - | SECTION 5. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That: | |
| 986 | + | 1. SUBJECT TO SUBPARAGR APH (II) OF THIS 12 | |
| 987 | + | PARAGRAPH , THE COST–EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PLAN BY USING THE PRIMARY 13 | |
| 988 | + | STATE JURISDICTION –SPECIFIC TEST, AS DEVELOPED , UPDATED, OR APPROVED BY 14 | |
| 989 | + | THE COMMISSION; 15 | |
| 1088 | 990 | ||
| 1089 | - | (a) The certification agency designated by the Board of Public Works under § | |
| 1090 | - | 14–303(b) of the State Finance and Procurement Article and the Governor’s Office of Small, | |
| 1091 | - | Minority, and Women Business Affairs, in consultation with the Department of Housing | |
| 1092 | - | and Community Development, the Office of the Attorney General, and the General | |
| 1093 | - | Assembly, shall initiate a study regarding the energy efficiency and conservation services | |
| 1094 | - | used by the Department of Housing and Community Development to evaluate whether the | |
| 1095 | - | enactment of remedial measures to assist minority and women–owned businesses in the | |
| 1096 | - | energy efficiency and conservation services industry and market would comply with the WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 539 | |
| 991 | + | 2. THE IMPACT ON RATES OF EACH RATEPAYER CL ASS; 16 | |
| 1097 | 992 | ||
| 1098 | - | – 25 – | |
| 1099 | - | U.S. Supreme Court decision in City of Richmond v. J. A. Croson Co., 488 U.S. 469 (1989), | |
| 1100 | - | and any subsequent federal or constitutional requirements. | |
| 993 | + | 3. THE IMPACT ON JOBS ; 17 | |
| 1101 | 994 | ||
| 1102 | - | (b) The certification agency and the Governor’s Office of Small, Minority, and | |
| 1103 | - | Women Business Affairs shall submit the findings of the study required under subsection | |
| 1104 | - | (a) of this section to the Legislative Policy Committee, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the | |
| 1105 | - | State Government Article, on or before December 31, 2026, so that the General Assembly | |
| 1106 | - | may review the findings before the 2027 legislative session. | |
| 995 | + | 4. THE IMPACT ON THE EN VIRONMENT; AND 18 | |
| 1107 | 996 | ||
| 1108 | - | SECTION 6. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That: | |
| 997 | + | 5. THE IMPACT ON THE GR EENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS 19 | |
| 998 | + | TARGETS SPECIFIED IN TITLE 2, SUBTITLE 12 OF THE ENVIRONMENT ARTICLE, 20 | |
| 999 | + | ESTABLISHED BY THE COMMISSION UNDER § 7–223(B) OF THIS SUBTITLE , AND 21 | |
| 1000 | + | SPECIFIED IN § 7–224(A)(2) OF THIS SUBTITLE. 22 | |
| 1109 | 1001 | ||
| 1110 | - | ( | |
| 1111 | - | ||
| 1002 | + | (II) THE PROGRAMS AND SERV ICES OFFERED BY THE 23 | |
| 1003 | + | DEPARTMENT ARE NOT REQUIRED TO BE COST–EFFECTIVE. 24 | |
| 1112 | 1004 | ||
| 1113 | - | ( | |
| 1114 | - | the | |
| 1115 | - | ||
| 1116 | - | ||
| 1117 | - | ||
| 1118 | - | under | |
| 1005 | + | (E) THE DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT SHALL PRE PARE AND 25 | |
| 1006 | + | SUBMIT TO THE COMMISSION AN ANALYSI S REGARDING THE ADEQ UACY OF THE 26 | |
| 1007 | + | PLAN IN SUPPORTING T HE STATE’S GREENHOUSE GAS EMI SSIONS REDUCTION 27 | |
| 1008 | + | GOALS SPECIFIED IN TITLE 2, SUBTITLE 12 OF THE ENVIRONMENT ARTICLE, 28 | |
| 1009 | + | ESTABLISHED BY THE COMMISSION UNDER § 7–223(B) OF THIS SUBTITLE , AND 29 | |
| 1010 | + | SPECIFIED IN REQUIRED UNDER § 7–224(A)(2) OF THIS SUBTITLE. 30 | |
| 1119 | 1011 | ||
| 1120 | - | ||
| 1012 | + | 7–226. 31 HOUSE BILL 864 23 | |
| 1121 | 1013 | ||
| 1122 | - | (1) development of a practical definition of “moderate–income” for use in | |
| 1123 | - | assessing the scope of available activities, potentially beneficial extensions of activities, and | |
| 1124 | - | associated costs under the EmPOWER Maryland Program; | |
| 1125 | 1014 | ||
| 1126 | - | (2) an assessment of existing utility–based activities funded by the | |
| 1127 | - | Program and available to moderate–income households; | |
| 1128 | 1015 | ||
| 1129 | - | (3) proposals for extending utility–based activities and coordinating those | |
| 1130 | - | activities with corresponding activities of the Department of Housing and Community | |
| 1131 | - | Development with respect to low–income households under the Program; | |
| 1016 | + | (A) (1) EACH ELECTRIC COMPANY , EACH GAS COMPANY , AND THE 1 | |
| 1017 | + | DEPARTMENT SHALL PROV IDE TO THE COMMISSION EVERY 6 MONTHS AN UPDATE 2 | |
| 1018 | + | ON PLAN IMPLEMENTATI ON AND PROGRESS MADE TOWARD ACHIEVING THE 3 | |
| 1019 | + | GREENHOUSE GAS EMISS IONS REDUCTION TARGE TS ESTABLISHED BY TH E 4 | |
| 1020 | + | COMMISSION UNDE R § 7–223(B) OF THIS SUBTITLE AND SPECIFIED IN REQUIRED 5 | |
| 1021 | + | UNDER § 7–224(A)(2) OF THIS SUBTITLE. 6 | |
| 1132 | 1022 | ||
| 1133 | - | (4) an assessment of benefits and costs associated with extending and | |
| 1134 | - | expanding activities under item (3) of this subsection; | |
| 1023 | + | (2) THE COMMISSION SHALL MONI TOR AND ANALYZE THE IMPACT OF 7 | |
| 1024 | + | EACH PROGRAM AND SER VICE TO ENSURE THAT THE OUTCOME OF EACH PROGRAM 8 | |
| 1025 | + | AND SERVICE PROVIDES THE BEST POSSIBLE RESULTS . 9 | |
| 1135 | 1026 | ||
| 1136 | - | (5) identification of areas of potential overlap between utility–based and | |
| 1137 | - | Department–based activities that may be harmonized to avoid duplicating efforts and | |
| 1138 | - | promote more efficient means to provide assistance to moderate–income households; and | |
| 1027 | + | (3) IN MONITORING AND ANA LYZING THE IMPACT OF A PROGRAM OR 10 | |
| 1028 | + | SERVICE UNDER PARAGR APH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION , IF THE COMMISSION FINDS 11 | |
| 1029 | + | THAT THE OUTCOME OF THE PROGRAM OR SERVI CE MAY NOT BE PROVID ING THE 12 | |
| 1030 | + | BEST POSSIBLE RESULT S, THE COMMISSION SHALL DIRECT THE ELE CTRIC 13 | |
| 1031 | + | COMPANY, THE GAS COMPANY , OR THE DEPARTMENT TO INCLUDE IN ITS NEXT 14 | |
| 1032 | + | UPDATE UNDER PARAGRA PH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION S PECIFIC MEASURES TO 15 | |
| 1033 | + | ADDRESS THE FINDINGS . 16 | |
| 1139 | 1034 | ||
| 1140 | - | ( | |
| 1141 | - | ||
| 1142 | - | ||
| 1143 | - | ||
| 1035 | + | (B) (1) AT LEAST ONCE EACH YE AR, EACH ELECTRIC COMPAN Y AND EACH 17 | |
| 1036 | + | GAS COMPANY SHALL NOTIFY AFF ECTED CUSTOMERS OF T HE ENERGY EFFICIENCY 18 | |
| 1037 | + | AND CONSERVATION AND GREENHOUSE GAS REDUC TION CHARGES IMPOSED AND 19 | |
| 1038 | + | BENEFITS CONFERRED . 20 | |
| 1144 | 1039 | ||
| 1145 | - | – 26 – | |
| 1146 | - | (d) On or before July 1, 2025, the Commission shall report to the Governor and, | |
| 1147 | - | in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly on the | |
| 1148 | - | results of the working group study and recommendations. | |
| 1040 | + | (2) THE NOTICE SHALL BE P ROVIDED BY PUBLICATI ON ON THE 21 | |
| 1041 | + | COMPANY’S WEBSITE AND INCLUS ION WITH BILLING INF ORMATION SUCH AS A BILL 22 | |
| 1042 | + | INSERT OR BILL MESSA GE. 23 | |
| 1149 | 1043 | ||
| 1150 | - | SECTION 6. 7. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the publisher of the | |
| 1151 | - | Annotated Code of Maryland, in consultation with and subject to the approval of the | |
| 1152 | - | Department of Legislative Services, shall correct, with no further action required by the | |
| 1153 | - | General Assembly, cross–references and terminology rendered incorrect by this Act. The | |
| 1154 | - | publisher shall adequately describe any correction that is made in an editor’s note following | |
| 1155 | - | the section affected. | |
| 1044 | + | (C) ON OR BEFORE MAY 1 EACH YEAR, THE COMMISSION SHALL REPO RT, 24 | |
| 1045 | + | IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–1257 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE, TO THE 25 | |
| 1046 | + | GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON: 26 | |
| 1156 | 1047 | ||
| 1157 | - | SECTION 7. 8. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect | |
| 1158 | - | July 1, 2024. | |
| 1048 | + | (1) THE STATUS OF PROGRA MS AND SERVICES APPR OVED UNDER 27 | |
| 1049 | + | THIS SUBTITLE, INCLUDING AN EVALUAT ION OF THE IMPACT OF THE PROGRAMS 28 | |
| 1050 | + | AND SERVICES THAT AR E DIRECTED TO LOW –INCOME COMMUNITIES , LOW– TO 29 | |
| 1051 | + | MODERATE–INCOME COMMUNITIES T O THE EXTENT POSSIBL E, AND OTHER 30 | |
| 1052 | + | PARTICULAR CLASSES O F RATEPAYERS ; 31 | |
| 1159 | 1053 | ||
| 1160 | - | Approved by the Governor, May 9, 2024. | |
| 1054 | + | (2) A RECOMMENDATION FOR THE APPROPRIATE FUNDING LEVEL TO 32 | |
| 1055 | + | ADEQUATELY FUND THES E PROGRAMS AND SERVI CES; 33 | |
| 1056 | + | ||
| 1057 | + | (3) THE PER CAPITA ELECT RICITY CONSUMPTION A ND THE WINTER 34 | |
| 1058 | + | AND SUMMER PEAK DEMA ND FOR THE PREVIOUS CALENDAR YEAR ; AND 35 24 HOUSE BILL 864 | |
| 1059 | + | ||
| 1060 | + | ||
| 1061 | + | ||
| 1062 | + | (4) BEGINNING IN 2026, PROGRESS MADE TOWARD REDUCING 1 | |
| 1063 | + | GREENHOUSE GAS EMISS IONS IN ACCORDANCE W ITH §§ 7–223 AND 7–224 OF THIS 2 | |
| 1064 | + | SUBTITLE. 3 | |
| 1065 | + | ||
| 1066 | + | 7–227. 4 | |
| 1067 | + | ||
| 1068 | + | (A) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY O THER LAW, THE COMMISSION MAY NOT 5 | |
| 1069 | + | REQUIRE OR ALLOW AN ELECTRIC COMPANY OR A GAS COMPANY TO REQ UIRE A 6 | |
| 1070 | + | CUSTOMER TO AUTHORIZ E THE ELECTRIC CO MPANY OR GAS COMPANY TO CONTROL 7 | |
| 1071 | + | THE AMOUNT OF THE CU STOMER’S ELECTRICITY USAGE OR GAS USAGE. 8 | |
| 1072 | + | ||
| 1073 | + | (B) A CUSTOMER MAY PROVIDE CONSENT TO PARTICIPA TE IN A PROGRAM 9 | |
| 1074 | + | OF AN ELECTRIC COMPA NY OR A GAS COMPANY THAT PROVIDES DIRECT LOAD 10 | |
| 1075 | + | CONTROL OR OTHER UTI LITY MANIPUL ATION OF A CUSTOMER ’S ELECTRICITY OR 11 | |
| 1076 | + | GAS USAGE. 12 | |
| 1077 | + | ||
| 1078 | + | 7–228. 13 | |
| 1079 | + | ||
| 1080 | + | (A) EACH ELECTRIC COMPANY AND EACH GAS COMPANY SHALL PROMOTE 14 | |
| 1081 | + | THE AVAILABILITY OF FEDERAL AND STATE REBATES , TAX CREDITS , AND 15 | |
| 1082 | + | INCENTIVES THAT CAN BE USED TO SUPPORT E NERGY EFFICIENCY INV ESTMENTS, 16 | |
| 1083 | + | ENERGY EFFICIENT AND NO N–FOSSIL–FUEL–POWERED APPLIANCES A ND COOKING 17 | |
| 1084 | + | EQUIPMENT, BREAKER BOX UPGRADES , AND PORTABLE HEATING AND COOLING 18 | |
| 1085 | + | EQUIPMENT. 19 | |
| 1086 | + | ||
| 1087 | + | (B) THE COMMISSION SHALL ADOP T REGULATIONS TO CAR RY OUT THIS 20 | |
| 1088 | + | SECTION. 21 | |
| 1089 | + | ||
| 1090 | + | 7–510.3. 22 | |
| 1091 | + | ||
| 1092 | + | (j) (2) A community choice agg regator, in consultation with all 23 | |
| 1093 | + | investor–owned electric companies whose service territories include all or part of the county 24 | |
| 1094 | + | and the Department of Housing and Community Development, may promote energy 25 | |
| 1095 | + | efficiency programs that are: 26 | |
| 1096 | + | ||
| 1097 | + | (i) offered by the investor–owned electric companies; or 27 | |
| 1098 | + | ||
| 1099 | + | (ii) filed by the investor–owned electric companies with the 28 | |
| 1100 | + | Commission for its approval in accordance with [§ 7–211] SUBTITLE 2, PART II of this 29 | |
| 1101 | + | title. 30 | |
| 1102 | + | ||
| 1103 | + | Article – State Government 31 | |
| 1104 | + | ||
| 1105 | + | 9–20B–05. 32 HOUSE BILL 864 25 | |
| 1106 | + | ||
| 1107 | + | ||
| 1108 | + | ||
| 1109 | + | (f) The Administration shall use the Fund: 1 | |
| 1110 | + | ||
| 1111 | + | (4) to provide rate relief by offsetting electricity rates of residential 2 | |
| 1112 | + | customers, including an offset of surcharges imposed on ratepayers under [§ 7–211] TITLE 3 | |
| 1113 | + | 7, SUBTITLE 2, PART II of the Public Utilities Article; 4 | |
| 1114 | + | ||
| 1115 | + | SECTION 5. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That: 5 | |
| 1116 | + | ||
| 1117 | + | (a) The certification agency designated by the Board of Public Works under § 6 | |
| 1118 | + | 14–303(b) of the State Finance and Procurement Article and the Governor’s Office of Small, 7 | |
| 1119 | + | Minority, and Women Business Affairs, in consultation with the Department of Housing 8 | |
| 1120 | + | and Community Development, the Office of the Attorney General, and the General 9 | |
| 1121 | + | Assembly, shall initiate a study regarding the energy efficiency and conservation services 10 | |
| 1122 | + | used by the Department of Housing and Community Development to evaluate whether the 11 | |
| 1123 | + | enactment of remedial measures to assist minority and women–owned businesses in the 12 | |
| 1124 | + | energy efficiency and conservation services industry and market would comply with the 13 | |
| 1125 | + | U.S. Supreme Court decision in City of Richmond v. J. A. Croson Co., 488 U.S. 469 (1989), 14 | |
| 1126 | + | and any subsequent federal or constitutional requirements. 15 | |
| 1127 | + | ||
| 1128 | + | (b) The certification agency and the Governor’s Office of Small, Minority, and 16 | |
| 1129 | + | Women Business Affairs shall submit the findings of the study required under subsection 17 | |
| 1130 | + | (a) of this section to the Legislative Policy Committee, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the 18 | |
| 1131 | + | State Government Article, on or before December 31, 2026, so that the General Assembly 19 | |
| 1132 | + | may review the findings before the 2027 legislative session. 20 | |
| 1133 | + | ||
| 1134 | + | SECTION 6. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That: 21 | |
| 1135 | + | ||
| 1136 | + | (a) The Public Service Commission shall establish a working group on the 22 | |
| 1137 | + | EmPOWER Maryland Program and moderate –income households. 23 | |
| 1138 | + | ||
| 1139 | + | (b) The purpose of the working group is to study and make recommendations to 24 | |
| 1140 | + | the Public Service Commission and the General Assembly on coordination of activities and 25 | |
| 1141 | + | benefits under the EmPOWER Maryland Program between utility companies subject to 26 | |
| 1142 | + | this Act and the Department of Housing and Community Development so that 27 | |
| 1143 | + | moderate–income households may obtain the most efficient and cost–effective assistance 28 | |
| 1144 | + | under the Program. 29 | |
| 1145 | + | ||
| 1146 | + | (c) The study and recommendations shall include: 30 | |
| 1147 | + | ||
| 1148 | + | (1) development of a practical definition of “moderate–income” for use in 31 | |
| 1149 | + | assessing the scope of available activities, potentially beneficial extensions of activities, and 32 | |
| 1150 | + | associated costs under the EmPOWER Maryland Program; 33 | |
| 1151 | + | ||
| 1152 | + | (2) an assessment of existing utility–based activities funded by the 34 | |
| 1153 | + | Program and available to moderate–income households; 35 | |
| 1154 | + | 26 HOUSE BILL 864 | |
| 1155 | + | ||
| 1156 | + | ||
| 1157 | + | (3) proposals for extending utility–based activities and coordinating those 1 | |
| 1158 | + | activities with corresponding activities of the Department of Housing and Community 2 | |
| 1159 | + | Development with respect to low–income households under the Program; 3 | |
| 1160 | + | ||
| 1161 | + | (4) an assessment of benefits and costs associated with extending and 4 | |
| 1162 | + | expanding activities under item (3) of this subsection; 5 | |
| 1163 | + | ||
| 1164 | + | (5) identification of areas of potential overlap between utility–based and 6 | |
| 1165 | + | Department–based activities that may be harmonized to avoid duplicating efforts and 7 | |
| 1166 | + | promote more efficient means to provide assistance to moderate–income households; and 8 | |
| 1167 | + | ||
| 1168 | + | (6) identification and development of regulatory and legislative changes 9 | |
| 1169 | + | needed to implement recommended coordination, extension, and expansion of Program 10 | |
| 1170 | + | activities to benefit moderate–income households. 11 | |
| 1171 | + | ||
| 1172 | + | (d) On or before July 1, 2025, the Commission shall report to the Governor and, 12 | |
| 1173 | + | in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly on the 13 | |
| 1174 | + | results of the working group study and recommendations. 14 | |
| 1175 | + | ||
| 1176 | + | SECTION 6. 7. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the publisher of the 15 | |
| 1177 | + | Annotated Code of Maryland, in consultation with and subject to the approval of the 16 | |
| 1178 | + | Department of Legislative Services, shall correct, with no further action required by the 17 | |
| 1179 | + | General Assembly, cross–references and terminology rendered incorrect by this Act. The 18 | |
| 1180 | + | publisher shall adequately describe any correction that is made in an editor’s note following 19 | |
| 1181 | + | the section affected. 20 | |
| 1182 | + | ||
| 1183 | + | SECTION 7. 8. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 21 | |
| 1184 | + | July 1, 2024. 22 | |
| 1185 | + | ||
| 1186 | + | ||
| 1187 | + | ||
| 1188 | + | Approved: | |
| 1189 | + | ________________________________________________________________________________ | |
| 1190 | + | Governor. | |
| 1191 | + | ________________________________________________________________________________ | |
| 1192 | + | Speaker of the House of Delegates. | |
| 1193 | + | ________________________________________________________________________________ | |
| 1194 | + | President of the Senate. |