Environment committee lays over amended Next Generation Energy Act after broad rate‑relief and data‑center transparency package

The House Environment & Transportation Committee presented committee amendments to House Bill 1532, the Next Generation Energy Act, outlining a package intended to provide both immediate and longer‑term relief for Maryland ratepayers while maintaining the state’s clean‑energy goals.

Committee chair (floor presenter) summarized near‑term measures that include reducing Empower greenhouse‑gas emissions goals by at least 30% for the 2027–2029 plan cycle and authorizing a one‑time $100,000,000 direct rate‑relief payment to residential ratepayers in 2027 via an Empower surcharge write‑down. The presenter said the amendment eliminates the gas EMPOWER program, immediately prohibits several utility rate‑making practices (including forecasted test years and certain base rate case mechanisms) and limits ratepayer cost recovery of utility compensation above specified thresholds.

On consumer transparency and large users, the amendments lower the large‑load tariff threshold from 100 megawatts to 25 megawatts so more data centers will be subject to large‑load tariffs. The committee also requires large‑load customers to register with the Public Service Commission after signing interconnection agreements and to provide specified information including onsite backup power type and projected water use; the PSC must publish that information on a public map.

The bill directs the Public Service Commission to develop annual utility rate reports for investor‑owned utilities and to require utilities to notify customers before initiating proceedings that could change rates. The amendments also call for a stakeholder process to design a successor net‑energy‑metering program that minimizes short‑ and long‑term costs for ratepayers.

The measure would reallocate certain incentives, moving a DRIVE Act utility‑funded incentive to Maryland Energy Administration grant funding; it would speed rooftop solar permitting, cap community solar in each service area to limit disproportionate impacts on rural counties, and create transitional rules for community solar projects under development. RGGI (Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative) funds are to be budgeted for their intended purposes, and the bill directs the PPRP to study streamlining permitting and report to the governor and General Assembly by Dec. 31, 2026.

After the presentation the sponsor moved, pursuant to Rule 53, to lay over HB1532 and the committee amendments for one day; the motion was supported and recorded by the presiding officer. Several delegates asked procedural questions about reprints and amendment pagination and were told a reprint was available and staff could assist in locating it.

Next steps: The committee recommended additional review time; members were invited to submit amendments to the committee and the chair asked that amendment drafts be provided early given expected interest and extensive detail in the package.