EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDE D TO EXISTING LAW .
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*sb0332*
SENATE BILL 332
C5, M5 5lr1682
By: Senators Ready, Folden, and West
Introduced and read first time: January 15, 2025
Assigned to: Education, Energy, and the Environment
A BILL ENTITLED
AN ACT concerning 1
Task Force to Study the Premature Retirement of Electric ity Generation 2
Facilities 3
FOR the purpose of establishing the Task Force to Study the Premature Retirement of 4
Electricity Generation Facilities; and generally relating to the Task Force to Study 5
the Premature Retirement of Electricity Generation Facilities. 6
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 7
That: 8
(a) There is a Task Force to Study the Premature Retirement of Electricity 9
Generation Facilities. 10
(b) The Task Force consists of the following members: 11
(1) one member of the Senate of Maryland, appointed by the President of 12
the Senate; 13
(2) one member of the House of Delegates, appointed by the Speaker of the 14
House; 15
(3) the Secretary of the Environment, or the Secretary’s designee; 16
(4) the Chair of the Public Service Commission, or the Chair’s designee; 17
and 18
(5) the following members, appointed by the Governor: 19
(i) one representative of PJM Interconnection; 20
2 SENATE BILL 332
(ii) one representative of the Independent Market Monitor for the 1
PJM Region; 2
(iii) one representative of the Reliability First Corporation; 3
(iv) one individual with professional expertise in the traditional 4
power generation industry; and 5
(iv) one individual with professional expertise in the renewable 6
energy industry. 7
(c) The Chair of the Public Service Commission shall serve as the chair of the 8
Task Force. 9
(d) The Public Service Commission shall provide staff for the Task Force. 10
(e) A member of the Task Force: 11
(1) may not receive compensation as a member of the Task Force; but 12
(2) is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State 13
Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget. 14
(f) The Task Force shall: 15
(1) (i) assess the cost savings for customers that results from the 16
retirement of electricity generation facilities; 17
(ii) evaluate the impact that the premature retirement of electricity 18
generation facilities has on the reliable energy supply for customers; 19
(iii) evaluate the environmental impact of the premature retirement 20
of electricity generation facilities, including consideration of habitat disruption, wildlife 21
impact, watershed stress, and ecological harm; 22
(iv) examine potential nationwide consequences of shortages in 23
reliable or dispatchable electricity if a Maryland electricity generating facility retires 24
prematurely; 25
(v) examine the economic challenges faced by electricity generating 26
companies, which have led to premature retirement of electricity generating facilities, and 27
evaluate potential mitigations to sustain their operations; 28
(vi) facilitate collaboration among stakeholders, including utilities, 29
environmental advocacy groups, energy consumers, and industry representatives; and 30
SENATE BILL 332 3
(vii) conduct an infrastructure transition analysis that ensures that 1
infrastructure developments align with the practical needs of electricity generating 2
companies; and 3
(2) make recommendations: 4
(i) to address challenges and enhance decision making regarding 5
the premature retirement of electricity generation facilities; and 6
(ii) that include energy reliability solutions that address the 7
imminent energy reliability gap and balance the need between economic considerations and 8
the State’s commitment to cleaner energy goals. 9
(g) On or before January 1, 2026, the Task Force shall report its findings and 10
recommendations to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State 11
Government Article, the General Assembly, the Senate Committee on Education, Energy 12
and the Environment, and the House Economic Matters Committee. 13
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July 14
1, 2025. It shall remain effective for a period of 1 year and, at the end of June 30, 2026, this 15
Act, with no further action required by the General Assembly, shall be abrogated and of no 16
further force and effect. 17