Maryland 2024 Regular Session

Maryland Senate Bill SB959 Latest Draft

Bill / Chaptered Version Filed 05/15/2024

                             	WES MOORE, Governor 	Ch. 475 
 
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Chapter 475 
(Senate Bill 959) 
 
AN ACT concerning 
 
Electricity – Tariffs, Distributed Energy Resources, and Electric Distribution 
System Support Services  
(Distributed Renewable Integration and Vehicle Electrification (DRIVE) Act) 
 
FOR the purpose of requiring the Public Service Commission, on or before a certain date, 
to adopt a transition plan requiring each electric company to transition customers to 
a certain time–of–use tariff on or before a certain date; requiring a certain electric 
company to file certain time–of–use tariffs with the Public Service Commission on or 
before a certain date; requiring a certain electric company to attempt to achieve a 
certain enrollment target for certain tariffs by a certain date; authorizing the 
Commission to require the automatic enrollment of certain customers in a 
time–of–use tariff, on an opt–out basis; requiring the Commission to adopt certain 
regulations on or before a certain date regarding the interconnection of certain 
systems to the electric distribution system; prohibiting an electric company from 
requiring a certain customer to enter into a certain contract or apply for 
interconnection with the electric distribution system; requiring a certain electric 
company to require a customer to apply for interconnection with the electric 
distribution system under certain circumstances; requiring the Commission to 
develop a program for each a certain electric company to establish a pilot program 
or temporary tariff to compensate certain persons for electric distribution system 
support services in a certain manner; requiring each electric company to submit the 
pilot program or temporary tariff to the Commission for approval on or before a 
certain date; authorizing a certain electric company to propose and the Commission 
to approve certain performance mechanisms for a certain purpose under certain 
circumstances; requiring the Commission to approve a certain pilot program or tariff 
by a certain date; authorizing the Commission to approve or require an a certain 
electric company to offer certain incentives or rebates under certain circumstances; 
requiring the Commission to consider establishing a certain limit on the amount of 
certain incentives or rebates; authorizing an a certain electric company to recover 
certain costs; prohibiting the dispatch of energy from a certain energy storage device 
to the electric distribution system under a pilot program or temporary tariff from 
being considered duplicative of any value realized by a certain customer through net 
energy metering; and generally relating to the generation and provision of electricity 
in the State.  
 
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 
 Article – Public Utilities 
Section 1–101(a) 
 Annotated Code of Maryland 
 (2020 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement)  
  Ch. 475 	2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND  
 
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BY adding to 
 Article – Public Utilities 
Section 1–101(p–1); and 7–1001 through 7–1008 7–1007 to be under the new subtitle 
“Subtitle 10. Electric Distribution System Support Services” 
 Annotated Code of Maryland 
 (2020 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement) 
 
 SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 
 
Article – Public Utilities 
 
1–101. 
 
 (a) In this division the following words have the meanings indicated. 
 
 (P–1) “INVESTOR–OWNED ELECTRIC COMPA NY” MEANS AN ELECTRIC 
COMPANY THAT IS NOT A MUNICIPAL ELECTRIC UTILITY OR AN ELECTR IC 
COOPERATIVE .  
 
SUBTITLE 10. ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM SUPPORT SERVICES. 
 
7–1001. 
 
 (A) IN THIS SUBTITLE THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS 
INDICATED. 
 
 (B) “BENEFICIAL ELECTRIFICATION ” MEANS REPLACING DIRE CT FOSSIL 
FUEL USE WITH ELECTR ICITY. 
 
 (C) “BIDIRECTIONAL ELECTRI C VEHICLE” MEANS AN ELECTRIC VE HICLE 
THAT IS CAPABLE OF B OTH RECEIVING AND DI SCHARGING ELECTRICIT Y. 
 
 (D) “DISTRIBUTED ENERGY RE SOURCE” MEANS AN ENERGY R ESOURCE 
LOCATED ON A CUSTOME R’S PREMISES THAT : 
 
 (1) PRODUCES OR STORES E LECTRICITY; OR 
 
 (2) MODIFIES THE TIMING OR AMOUNT OF THE CUS TOMER’S 
ELECTRICITY CONSUMPT ION. 
 
 (E) (1) “ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM SUPPORT SERVI CES” MEANS 
THE DISPATCH AND CON TROL OF A DISTRIBUTE D ENERGY RESOURCE TO PROVIDE   	WES MOORE, Governor 	Ch. 475 
 
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SERVICES THAT CONTRI BUTE TO THE EFFICIEN T AND RELIABLE OPERA TION OF THE 
ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTIO N SYSTEM BY: 
 
 (I) AN ELECTRIC COMPANY ; OR 
 
 (II) AN AGGREGATOR ACTING : 
 
 1. AT THE DIRECTION OF AN ELECTRIC COMPANY ; OR 
 
 2. UNDER A PROGRAM OR T ARIFF APPROVED BY TH E 
COMMISSION. 
 
 (II) AN AGGREGATOR ACTING AT THE DIRECTION OF AN 
ELECTRIC COMPANY .  
 
 (2) “ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM SUPPORT SERVI CES” 
INCLUDES: 
 
 (I) LOCAL OR SYSTEM PEAK DEMAND REDUCTION ; 
 
 (II) DEMAND RESPONSE ; 
 
 (III) THE AVOIDANCE OR DEF ERRAL OF A TRANSMISS ION OR 
DISTRIBUTION UPGRADE OR CAPACITY EXPANSIO N; AND 
 
 (IV) FACILITATING HOSTING CAPACITY TO ACCOMMODATE 
ADDITIONAL DISTRIBUT ED ENERGY RESOURCES . 
 
 (F) “ELIGIBLE CUSTOMER –GENERATOR ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN §  
7–306 OF THIS TITLE. 
 
 (G) “NET ENERGY METERING ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 7–306 OF 
THIS TITLE. 
 
 (H) “NET EXCESS GENERATION ” HAS THE ME ANING STATED IN § 7–306 OF 
THIS TITLE. 
 
 (I) (1) “RENEWABLE ON –SITE GENERATING SYST EM” MEANS AN ENERGY 
SYSTEM LOCATED ON A CUSTOMER’S PREMISES THAT : 
 
 (I) GENERATES OR STORES ELECTRICITY FROM A TIER 1 
RENEWABLE SOURCE OR A TIER 2 RENEWABLE SOURCE THAT DOES NOT RELEASE 
GREENHOUSE GASES ; 
  Ch. 475 	2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND  
 
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 (II) IS CAPABLE OF PROVID ING ELECTRICITY TO : 
 
 1. A HOME, BUSINESS, OR OTHER STRUCTURE S ERVICED 
BY AN ELECTRIC COMPA NY; AND 
 
 2. THE ELECTRIC DISTRIB UTION SYSTEM; 
 
 (III) IS PAIRED WITH AN EN ERGY STORAGE DEVICE THAT IS 
CONFIGURED TO CHARGE FROM: 
 
 1. THE RENEWABLE SOURCE ; AND 
 
 2. THE ELECTRIC DISTRIB UTION SYSTEM UNLESS, FOR 
THE PURPOSE OF ELIGI BILITY FOR NET ENERG Y METERING , THE DEVICE IS 
REQUIRED TO BE CHARG ED ONLY FROM THE REN EWABLE SOURCE ; AND 
 
 (IV) IS INTERCONNECTED AN D OPERATES IN PARALL EL WITH AN 
ELECTRIC COMPANY ’S TRANSMISSION AND D ISTRIBUTION FACILITI ES. 
 
 (2) “RENEWABLE ON –SITE GENERATING SYST EM” INCLUDES MAY 
INCLUDE BIDIRECTIONAL ELECTR IC VEHICLE SERVICE E QUIPMENT LOCATED ON A 
CUSTOMER’S PREMISES. 
 
 (J) “TIER 1 RENEWABLE SOURCE ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 7–701 OF 
THIS TITLE. 
 
 (K) “TIER 2 RENEWABLE SOURCE ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 7–701 OF 
THIS TITLE. 
 
7–1002. 
 
 THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FINDS AND DE CLARES THAT: 
 
 (1) WELL–DESIGNED TIME –OF–USE PRICING OF ELECTRICI TY CAN 
HELP MITIGATE THE IM PACTS OF ELECTRIFICA TION ON THE ELECTRIC 
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM , REDUCE GREENHOUSE GA S EMISSIONS DURING P EAK 
HOURS, AND ENCOURAGE CUSTOM ER ADOPTION OF BENEF ICIAL ELECTRIFICATIO N 
MEASURES THROUGH OFF –PEAK COST SA VINGS; 
 
 (2) WIDESPREAD BENEFICIA L ELECTRIFICATION WI LL INCREASE 
DEMAND ON THE ELECTR IC DISTRIBUTION SYST EM AND POTENTIALLY R EQUIRE 
SIGNIFICANT SYSTEM U PGRADES IF CONSUMERS ADOPTING BENEFICIAL 
ELECTRIFICATION MEAS URES DO NOT ENGAGE I N A FORM OF LOAD MAN AGEMENT   	WES MOORE, Governor 	Ch. 475 
 
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TO MITIGATE THE NEED FOR SYSTEM UPGRADES AND REDUCE THE GREEN HOUSE 
GAS INTENSITIES ASSO CIATED WITH GENERATI ON EMISSIONS DURING PEAK HOURS; 
 
 (3) PAIRING THE ADOPTION OF RENEWABLE ON –SITE GENERATING 
SYSTEMS WITH BENEFIC IAL ELECTRIFICATION MEASURES MA Y: 
 
 (I) FURTHER REDUCE THE STATE’S GREENHOUSE GAS 
EMISSIONS; 
 
 (II) PROVIDE ON–SITE RESILIENCE TO C ONSUMERS; AND 
 
 (III) FACILITATE LOAD FLEX IBILITY TO MITIGATE IMPACTS ON 
THE ELECTRIC DISTRIB UTION SYSTEM FROM LO AD GROWTH DUE TO BEN EFICIAL 
ELECTRIFICATION; AND 
 
 (4) IT IS REASONABLE TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL I NCENTIVES AND 
PROTECTIONS TO LOW – AND MODERATE –INCOME HOUSEHOLDS : 
 
 (I) TO ENSURE ACCESS TO THE BENEFITS OF ELEC TRIFICATION 
AND ON–SITE ENERGY SYSTEMS ; AND 
 
 (II) TO PROTECT THOSE HOU SEHOLDS FROM NEGATIVE BILL 
IMPACTS DURING A TRA NSITION TO TIME–OF–USE RATES. 
 
7–1003. 
 
 (A) SUBJECT TO SUBSECTION S (D) AND (E) OF THIS SECTION , ON OR 
BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 2025, THE COMMISSION SHALL ADOP T A TRANSITION PLAN 
TO REQUIRE EACH ELEC TRIC COMPANY TO TRAN SITION EACH CUSTOMER , ON OR 
BEFORE SEPTEMBER 1, 2028, TO A TIME–OF–USE TARIFF. 
 
 (B) THE TRANSITION PLAN R EQUIRED UNDER SUBSEC TION (A) OF THIS 
SECTION SHALL INCLUD E PROVISIONS TO EASE THE TRANSITION TO A TIME–OF–USE 
TARIFF FOR CUSTOMERS IN LOW– AND MODERATE–INCOME HOUSEHOLDS . 
 
 (C) THE TRANSITION TO A T IME–OF–USE TARIFF SHALL : 
 
 (1) ESTABLISH A SUFFICIE NT PRICE REDUCTION F OR OFF–PEAK 
HOURS COMPARED TO PE AK HOURS TO ENCOURAG E CUSTOMERS TO ADJUS T THEIR 
ELECTRICITY USAGE TO OFF–PEAK HOURS; AND 
 
 (2) ADEQUATELY EDUCATE AN D ENCOURAGE CUSTOMER S TO ADJUST 
THEIR ELECTRICITY US AGE TO BENEFIT FROM LOWER RATES DURING O FF–PEAK 
HOURS.  Ch. 475 	2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND  
 
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 (D) (1) EACH ELECTRIC COMPANY SHALL PROVIDE TO ITS CUSTOMERS 
NOTICE AND AN OPPORT UNITY TO OPT OUT OF A TIME–OF–USE TARIFF UNDER THIS 
SECTION. 
 
 (2) A CUSTOMER IS CONSIDER ED TO HAVE GIVEN PER MISSION TO THE 
ELECTRIC COMPANY TO TRANSITION THE CUSTO MER TO THE TIME –OF–USE TARIFF: 
 
 (I) ON RECEIPT BY THE EL ECTRIC COMPANY OF A RETURNED 
NOTICE EXPLICITLY GR ANTING PERMISSION ; OR 
 
 (II) IF THE ELECTRIC COMP ANY HAS NOT RECEIVED A 
RETURNED NOTICE WITH IN 30 DAYS AFTER THE NOTIC E IS GIVEN. 
 
 (3) A CUSTOMER WHO HAS REF USED PERMISSION TO T RANSITION TO 
A TIME–OF–USE TARIFF MAY LATER REQUEST TO TRANSITIO N TO THE TIME–OF–USE 
TARIFF. 
 
 (E) FOR GOOD CAUSE SHOWN , THE COMMISSION MAY DELAY FOR A 
REASONABLE PERIOD OF TIME THE DEADLINE FO R AN ELECTRIC COMPAN Y TO 
TRANSITION THEIR CUS TOMERS TO A TIME –OF–USE TARIFF. 
 
7–1003. 
 
 (A) (1) ON OR BEFORE JULY 1, 2025, EACH INVESTOR –OWNED ELECTRIC 
COMPANY SH ALL FILE WITH THE COMMISSION ONE OR MOR E TIME–OF–USE TARIFFS 
FOR APPROPRIATE CUST OMER CLASSES , TO BE MADE AVAILABLE TO CUSTOMERS ON 
AN OPT–IN BASIS. 
 
 (2) EACH TIME–OF–USE TARIFF SHALL EST ABLISH A SUFFICIENT 
PRICE DISCOUNT FOR O FF–PEAK HOURS COMPARED TO PEAK HOURS , AS 
DETERMINED BY THE MA RKET OR AN INVESTOR –OWNED ELECTRIC COMPA NY’S 
COST OF SERVICE , TO ENCOURAGE CUSTOME RS TO ADJUST ELECTRI CITY USE TO 
OFF–PEAK HOURS. 
 
 (B) (1) (I) AN INVESTOR –OWNED ELECTRIC COMPA	NY SHALL 
PROPOSE WITH EACH TA RIFF OR TARIFFS REQUIRED UNDER SUBSE CTION (A) OF 
THIS SECTION A REASO NABLE ENROLLMENT TAR GET TO TRY TO ACHIEV E BY 
JANUARY 1, 2028. 
 
 (II) THE INVESTOR –OWNED ELECTRIC COMPA NY SHALL 
ATTEMPT TO ACHIEVE T HE ENROLLMENT TARGET THROUGH A COMBINATIO N OF   	WES MOORE, Governor 	Ch. 475 
 
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MARKETING, CUSTOMER EDUC ATION, AND OTHER MEANS TO C OMMUNICATE THE 
BENEFITS AND RISKS O F TIME–OF–USE RATES. 
 
 (2) (I) THE COMMISSION MAY REQUIR E AN INVESTOR –OWNED 
ELECTRIC COMPANY TO AUTOMATICALLY ENROLL IN A TIME–OF–USE TARIFF 
CUSTOMERS THAT RECEI VE AN INCENTIVE FROM THE INVESTO R–OWNED ELECTRIC 
COMPANY AS PART OF A BENEFICIAL ELECTRIFI CATION PROGRAM . 
 
 (II) THE COMMISSION SHALL REQU IRE AN INVESTOR –OWNED 
ELECTRIC COMPANY TO PROVIDE TO CUSTOMERS THAT ARE AUTOMATICAL LY 
ENROLLED IN A TIME –OF–USE TARIFF IN ACCORD ANCE WITH SUBPARAGRA PH (I) OF 
THIS PARAGRAPH NOTIC E AND AN OPPORTUNITY TO OPT OUT OF THE TI ME–OF–USE 
TARIFF. 
 
 (C) ON OR BEFORE JULY 1, 2026, EACH INVESTOR –OWNED ELECTRIC 
COMPANY SHALL SUBMIT A REPORT TO THE COMMISSION EVALUATING : 
 
 (1) THE POTENTIAL TO AVO ID OR DEFER ELECTR IC DISTRIBUTION 
SYSTEM CAPITAL PROJE CTS THROUGH THE USE OF TIME–OF–USE RATES ,  
DEMAND–RESPONSE AND DEMAND –SIDE PROGRAMS , AND RENEWABLE ON –SITE 
GENERATING SYSTEMS ; AND  
 
 (2) THE MERITS AND FEASI BILITY OF TRANSITION ING ALL 
CUSTOMERS TO A TIME –OF–USE TARIFF ON AN OPT–OUT BASIS. 
 
 (D) IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–1257 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE, 
ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 2027, THE COMMISSION SHALL SUBM IT A REPORT TO 
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON: 
 
 (1) THE IMPACTS OF OPT –IN TIME–OF–USE TARIFFS ON THE 
ELECTRIC DISTR IBUTION SYSTEM ;  
 
 (2) THE TIMELINE, FEASIBILITY, AND MERITS OF TRANSI TIONING ALL 
CUSTOMERS TO A TIME –OF–USE TARIFF ON AN OPT –OUT BASIS; AND 
 
 (3) WHETHER A FULL TRANS ITION TO TIME –OF–USE RATES IS 
JUSTIFIED. 
 
 (E) AN INVESTOR –OWNED ELECTRIC COMPA NY MAY RECOVER ALL 
REASONABLE AND PRUDE NT COSTS, INCLUDING MARKETING COSTS, TO ACHIEVE ITS 
PROPOSED ENROLLMENT TARGETS AND EXECUTE ITS RESPONSIBILITIES IN 
ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SECTION. 
  Ch. 475 	2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND  
 
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 (F) FOR GOOD CAUSE SHOWN , THE COMMISSION MAY DELAY FOR A 
REASONABLE PERIOD O F TIME THE DEADLINE FOR AN INVESTOR –OWNED ELECTRIC 
COMPANY TO COMPLY WI TH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION. 
 
 (G) (1) A MUNICIPAL ELECTRIC U TILITY OR ELECTRIC C OOPERATIVE 
MAY FILE WITH THE COMMISSION ONE OR MOR E TIME–OF–USE TARIFFS IN THE 
SAME MANNER AS AN I NVESTOR–OWNED ELECTRIC COMPA NY UNDER THIS SECTIO N. 
 
 (2) IF A MUNICIPAL ELECTR IC UTILITY OR ELECTR IC COOPERATIVE 
ELECTS TO FILE WITH THE COMMISSION A TIME –OF–USE TARIFF UNDER THI S 
SECTION, THE PROVISIONS OF TH IS SECTION THAT APPL Y TO AN INVESTOR –OWNED 
ELECTRIC COMPANY SHALL ALSO APPLY TO THE MU NICIPAL ELECTRIC UTI LITY OR 
ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE .  
 
7–1004. 
 
 (A) ON OR BEFORE APRIL MAY 1, 2025, THE COMMISSION SHALL ADOP T 
REGULATIONS TO : 
 
 (1) ESTABLISH EXPEDITED PROCESSES FOR INTERC ONNECTING THE 
FOLLOWING SYSTEMS TO THE ELECT RIC DISTRIBUTION SYS TEM: 
 
 (1) (I) BIDIRECTIONAL ELECTR IC VEHICLE SYSTEMS C APABLE OF 
PROVIDING ELECTRICIT Y TO THE ELECTRIC DI STRIBUTION SYSTEM ; AND 
 
 (2) (II) BIDIRECTIONAL ELECTR IC VEHICLE SYSTEMS T HAT DO NOT 
PROVIDE ELECTRICITY TO THE ELECTRIC DIST RIBUTION SYSTEM BUT DO PROVIDE 
ELECTRICITY TO A HOM E, BUSINESS, OR OTHER STRUCTURE S ERVICED BY AN 
ELECTRIC INVESTOR–OWNED ELECTRIC COMPANY; AND 
 
 (2) PROVIDE INVEST OR–OWNED ELECTRIC COMPA NIES WITH 
ADEQUATE TIME TO ENS URE ELECTRIC DISTRIB UTION SYSTEM RELIABI LITY IN 
ADVANCE OF THE INTER CONNECTIONS DESCRIBE D IN ITEM (1) OF THIS 
SUBSECTION. 
 
 (B) AN ELECTRIC INVESTOR–OWNED ELECTRIC COMPANY: 
 
 (1) MAY REQUIRE A CUSTOM ER TO PROVIDE NOTICE TO THE 
ELECTRIC INVESTOR–OWNED ELECTRIC COMPANY IF THE CUSTO MER INSTALLS A 
BIDIRECTIONAL ELECTR IC VEHICLE SYSTEM DE SCRIBED IN SUBSECTIO N (A) 
(A)(1)(II) OF THIS SECTION; BUT AND 
   	WES MOORE, Governor 	Ch. 475 
 
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 (2) MAY NOT REQUIRE THE CUSTOMER TO ENTER INTO A NET ENE RGY 
METERING CONTRACT OR OTHERWISE APPLY FOR INTERCONNECTION WITH THE 
ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTIO N SYSTEM. 
 
 (2) SHALL REQUIRE A CUST OMER TO APPLY FOR IN TERCONNECTION 
IF THE CUSTOMER CONF IGURES A BIDIRECTION AL ELECTRIC VEHICLE SYSTEM TO 
PROVIDE ELECTRICITY TO THE ELECTRIC DIST RIBUTION SYSTEM . 
 
 (C) A MUNICIPAL ELECTRIC U TILITY OR AN ELECTRI C COOPERATIVE MAY 
COMPLY WITH THE REQU IREMENTS OF SUBSECTI ON (B) OF THIS SECTION IN T HE 
SAME MANNER AS AN IN VESTOR–OWNED ELECTRIC COMPA NY.  
 
7–1005. 
 
 (A) (1) THE COMMISSION SHALL DEVE LOP A PROGRAM FOR EA CH 
ELECTRIC INVESTOR–OWNED ELECTRIC COMPANY TO ESTABLISH A PILOT PROGRAM 
OR TEMPORARY TARIFF TO COMPENSATE OWNERS AND AGGREGATORS OF 
DISTRIBUTED ENERGY R ESOURCES FOR ELECTRI C DISTRIBUTION SYSTE M SUPPORT 
SERVICES ON A PAY –FOR–PERFORMANCE BASIS THROUGH AN INCENTIVE 
MECHANISM DETERMINED BY THE COMMISSION. 
 
 (2) ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 1, 2025, THE COMMISSION SHALL 
ADOPT REGULATIONS ES TABLISHING PROGRAM R EQUIREMENTS TO ACHIE VE 
ELECTRIC SYSTEM BENE FITS USING DISTRIBUTED ENERGY R ESOURCES. 
 
 (B) (1) (I) ON OR BEFORE JULY 1, 2025, EACH ELECTRIC  
INVESTOR–OWNED ELECTRIC COMPANY SHALL SUBMIT TO THE COMMISSION FOR 
APPROVAL A PILOT PRO GRAM OR TEMPORARY TARIFF FOR ELECTRIC 
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM SUPPORT SERVICES THA T PROVIDES REASONABL E 
COMPENSATION ON A PAY–FOR–PERFORMANCE BASIS TO RENEWABLE ON–SITE 
GENERATING SYSTEMS THROUGH A MECHANISM 	DETERMINED BY THE 
COMMISSION. 
 
 (2) (II) THE PILOT PROGRAM OR TEMPORA RY TARIFF SUBMITTED 
UNDER PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION SUBPARAGRAPH (I) OF THIS 
PARAGRAPH SHALL PROVIDE THAT E LECTRIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM SUPPORT 
SERVICES TO ON –SITE ENERGY STORAGE DEVICES BE USED FOR SYSTEM PEAK 
REDUCTION ACCORDING TO A SCHED ULE AT A FREQUENCY OF AT LEAS T 30 EVENTS 
PER YEAR. 
 
 (C) ANY PILOT PROGRAM OR TEMPORARY TARIFF SUB MITTED UNDER THIS 
SECTION SHALL ESTABL ISH A STRUCTURE FOR PERFORMANCE PAYMENTS THAT IS 
DESIGNED TO COVER TH E COST OF DISTRIBUTE D ENERGY RESOURCES T O AN OWNER  Ch. 475 	2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND  
 
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OR AGGREG ATOR PROVIDING ELECT RIC DISTRIBUTION SYS TEM SUPPORT 
SERVICES. 
 
 (2) (I) A MUNICIPAL ELECTRIC U TILITY OR AN ELECTRI C 
COOPERATIVE MAY ESTA BLISH A PILOT PROGRA M, TEMPORARY TARIFF , OR 
PERFORMANCE MECHANIS M UNDER THIS SECTION . 
 
 (II) IF A MUNICIPAL ELECTR IC UTILITY OR ELECTRIC 
COOPERATIVE ESTABLIS HES A PILOT PROGRAM , TEMPORARY TARIFF , OR 
PERFORMANCE MECHANIS M UNDER THIS SECTION , THE PROVISIONS OF TH IS 
SECTION AND §§ 7–1006 AND 7–1007 OF THIS SUBTITLE THA T APPLY TO AN 
INVESTOR–OWNED ELECTRIC COMPA NY SHALL ALSO APPLY TO THE MUNICIP AL 
ELECTRIC UTILITY OR ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE . 
 
 (C) (1) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY P ROVISION OF THIS SUB TITLE, AN 
INVESTOR–OWNED ELECTRIC COMPA NY MAY PROPOSE AND S UBMIT TO THE 
COMMISSION A PERFORMA NCE MECHANISM TO COV ER THE COST OF USING 
DISTRIBUTED ENERGY R ESOURCES OR AN AGGRE GATOR OF DISTRIBUTED ENERGY 
RESOURCES UNDER THIS SUBTITLE. 
 
 (2) THE COMMISSION MAY APPROV E A PERFORMANCE MECH ANISM 
SUBMITTED UNDER PARA GRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION I F THE COMMISSION 
DETERMINES THAT THE PERFORMANCE MECHANISM IS IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST .  
 
 (D) (1) ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 1, 2025, THE THE COMMISSION SHALL 
APPROVE, DENY, OR APPROVE WITH AMEN DMENTS A PILOT PROGR AM OR 
TEMPORARY TARIFF SUB MITTED UNDER THIS SE CTION FOR EACH ELECTRIC 
INVESTOR–OWNED ELECTRIC COMPANY IN AN EXPEDITED MANN ER. 
 
 (2) THE COMMISSION SHALL IF THE COMMISSION DETERMINES THAT 
TRANSITIONING A PILO T PROGRAM OR TEMPORA RY TARIFF TO A PERMA NENT 
PROGRAM OR TARIFF IS IN THE PUBLIC INTERE ST, THE COMMISSION MAY 
ESTABLISH A PROCESS FOR AN ELECTRIC INVESTOR–OWNED ELECTRIC COMPANY 
TO TRANSITION A PILO T PROGRAM OR TEMPORA RY TARIFF TO A PERMA NENT 
PROGRAM OR TARIFF FO R ELECTRIC DISTRIBUT ION SYSTEM SUPPORT S ERVICES. 
 
 (3) EACH IF THE COMMISSION DETERMINES THE TRANSITION TO A 
PERMANENT PROGRAM OR TARIFF IS IN THE PUB LIC INTEREST, EACH CUSTOMER 
PARTICIPATING IN A P ILOT PROGRAM OR TEMP ORARY TARIFF APPROVE D UNDER 
PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION SHALL MAY BE TRANSITIONED TO A 
PERMANENT PROGRAM OR TARIFF FOR ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM SUPPORT 
SERVICES WHEN THE PROGRAM O R TARIFF IS APPROVED BY THE COMMISSION. 
   	WES MOORE, Governor 	Ch. 475 
 
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 (E) (1) THE COMMISSION MAY ALLOW THE ENERGY GENERATED BY A 
RENEWABLE ON –SITE GENERATING SYST EM THAT PROVIDES ELE	CTRIC 
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM SUPPORT SERVICE UNDE R A PILOT PROGRAM OR 
TEMPORARY TARIF F APPROVED UNDER SUB SECTION (D)(1) OF THIS SECTION TO 
COUNT TOWARDS THE ELECTRIC INVESTOR–OWNED ELECTRIC COMPANY’S 
GREENHOUSE EMISSIONS REDUCTION GOALS UNDE R § 7–211 OF THIS TITLE. 
 
 (2) (I) SUBJECT TO SUBPARAGRA PH (II) OF THIS PARAGRAPH , THE 
CUMULATIVE E NERGY STORAGE CAPACI TY OF ANY ENERGY STO RAGE DEVICES 
INSTALLED ON A CUSTO MER’S PROPERTY IN ACCORD ANCE WITH THIS SUBTI TLE 
SHALL COUNT TOWARDS THE TARGETS ESTABLIS HED UNDER § 7–216.1 OF THIS 
TITLE. 
 
 (II) SUBPARAGRAPH (I) OF THIS PARAGRAPH DO ES NOT 
INCLUDE THE ENERGY STORAGE C APACITY OF: 
 
 1. ELECTRIC VEHICLES TH AT ARE PART OF A 
RENEWABLE ON –SITE GENERATING SYST EM; OR 
 
 2. MOBILE ENERGY STORAG E DEVICES. 
 
 (F) THE CUMULATIVE NAMEPL ATE CAPACITY OF RENE WABLE ON–SITE 
GENERATING SYSTEMS P ARTICIPATING IN A PI LOT PROGRAM OR TEMPO RARY 
TARIFF APPROVED UNDE R THIS SECTION MAY N OT EXCEED 2% OF THE  
INVESTOR–OWNED ELECTRIC COMPA NY’S HIGHEST RECORDED C OINCIDENT PEAK 
DEMAND.  
 
7–1006. 
 
 (A) (1) THE COMMISSION MAY APPROVE OR REQUIRE A	N  
INVESTOR–OWNED ELECTRIC COMPANY TO OFFER UPFRONT INCENT IVES OR 
REBATES TO CUSTOMERS TO ACQUIRE AND INSTA LL RENEWABLE ON –SITE 
GENERATING SYSTEMS I F THE CUSTOMER : 
 
 (I) ENROLLS IN A PILOT P ROGRAM OR TEMPORARY TARIF F 
ESTABLISHED UNDER § 7–1005 OF THIS SUBTITLE; AND 
 
 (II) ALLOWS THE SYSTEM TO BE USED FOR ELECTRIC 
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM SUPPORT SERVICES FOR A PERIOD OF NOT LESS THAN 5 
YEARS. 
 
 (2) THE COMMISSION MAY : 
  Ch. 475 	2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND  
 
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 (I) AUTHORIZE OR REQUIRE AN INVESTOR–OWNED ELECTRIC 
COMPANY TO PROVIDE A N ADDITIONAL INCENTI VE OR REBATE FOR LOW – OR 
MODERATE–INCOME CUSTOMERS WHO APPLY FOR AN INCENTI VE OR REBATE 
UNDER THIS SECTION ; AND 
 
 (II) REQUIRE AN INVESTOR–OWNED ELECTRIC COMPANY TO 
PRIORITIZE THE OFFER OF INCENTIVES OR REB ATES UNDER THIS SECT ION TO  
LOW– OR MODERATE –INCOME CUSTOMERS . 
 
 (B) IN DETERMINING WHETHE R TO REQUIRE AN INVESTOR–OWNED 
ELECTRIC COMPANY TO OFFER AN INCENTIVE O R REBATE UNDER THIS SECTION, 
THE COMMISSION SHALL CONSIDER: 
 
 (1) THE BENEFIT OF REDUC ING THE OPERATION OF PEAK 
GENERATING FACILITIE S IN OVERBURDENED AN D UNDERSERVED COMMUN ITIES; 
 
 (2) THE BENEFIT OF RESIL IENCY AND SERVICE OU TAGE AVOIDANCE 
FOR CUSTOMERS WITH O N–SITE GENERATING SYST EMS; AND 
 
 (3) THE POTENTIAL FOR ELECTRIC INVESTOR–OWNED ELECTRIC 
COMPANIES TO REDUCE EXPENSES RELATING TO ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTIO N SYSTEM 
INFRASTRUCTURE BY LE VERAGING CUSTOMERS ’ ON–SITE GENERATING SYST EMS. 
 
 (C) THE COMMISSION SHALL CONS IDER ESTABLISHING A LIMIT ON THE 
AMOUNT OF INCENTIVES OR REBATE S ISSUED IN A MANNER THAT ACHIEVES 
DEPLOYMENT GOALS WHI LE MITIGATING POTENT IAL CUSTOMER IMPACTS . 
 
 (D) THE COMMISSION SHALL CONS ULT WITH THE MARYLAND ENERGY 
ADMINISTRATION , WHEN APPROVING OR RE QUIRING AN INCENTIVE OR REBATE 
UNDER THIS SECTION, TO ENSURE THAT THE I NCENTIVE OR REBATE I S DESIGNED 
TO SUPPLEMENT , TO THE GREATEST EXTE NT POSSIBLE, OTHER AVAILABLE STATE 
AND FEDERAL INCENTIV ES FOR CUSTOMER ADOP TION OF RENEWABLE ON –SITE 
GENERATING SYSTEMS . 
 
7–1007. 
 
 (A) AN ELECTRIC INVESTOR–OWNED ELECTRIC COMPANY MAY RECOVER 
ALL REASONABLE COSTS INCURRED IN: 
 
 (1) PARTICIPATING IN A PILOT PROGRAM OR T EMPORARY TARIFF 
AND ADMINISTERING A PROGRAM UNDER § 7–1005 OF THIS SUBTITLE; AND 
   	WES MOORE, Governor 	Ch. 475 
 
– 13 – 
 (2) OFFERING AN UPFRONT INCENTIVE OR REBATE UNDER § 7–1006 
OF THIS SUBTITLE. 
 
 (B) TO THE EXTENT FEASIBL E, THE COSTS LISTED IN SUBSECTION (A) OF 
THIS SECTION SHALL B E RECOVERED BY THE ELECTRIC INVESTOR–OWNED 
ELECTRIC COMPANY WITHIN THE C ALENDAR YEAR IN WHIC H THOSE COSTS WERE 
INCURRED. 
 
 (C) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY P ROVISION OF THIS SUB TITLE, AN ELECTRIC 
INVESTOR–OWNED ELECTRIC COMPANY MAY PURSUE A ND USE A PERFORMANCE 
INCENTIVE MECHANISM TO COVER THE COST OF USING DISTRIBUTED EN ERGY 
RESOURCES OR AN AGGR EGATOR OF DISTRIBUTE D RESOURCES UNDER TH IS 
SUBTITLE. 
 
7–1008. 
 
 (A) THIS SECTION APPLIES ONLY TO AN ELIGIBLE CUSTOMER–GENERATOR 
THAT IS: 
 
 (1) PARTICIPATING IN AN ELECTRIC COMPANY ’S NET ENERGY 
METERING PROGRAM ; AND 
 
 (2) USING AN ENERGY STOR AGE DEVICE THAT : 
 
 (I) IS CHARGED ONLY FROM THE ELIGIBLE 
CUSTOMER–GENERATOR ’S GENERATING FACILIT Y THAT CREATES NET E XCESS 
GENERATION ; OR 
 
 (II) ACCRUES NET EXCESS G ENERATION ONLY FOR E NERGY 
CREATED BY AN ON –SITE ENERGY GENERATI NG SYSTEM. 
 
 (B) THE DISPATCH OF ENERG Y FROM AN ENERGY STORAGE DEVICE TO THE 
ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTIO N SYSTEM UNDER A PIL OT PROGRAM OR TEMPOR ARY 
TARIFF ESTABLISHED U NDER § 7–1005 OF THIS SUBTITLE MAY NOT BE CONSIDERED 
DUPLICATIVE OF ANY V ALUE REALIZED BY THE ELIGIBLE CUSTOMER –GENERATOR 
THROUGH NET ENERGY M ETERING. 
 
 SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 
October 1, 2024. 
 
Approved by the Governor, May 9, 2024.