POLICY WATCH 2022

MCEC staff tracked 79 pieces of energy legislation, with 42 being cross-files. Thirty-four bills passed their chamber of origination, the opposing chamber, were returned passed, and presented to the Governor for his signature. 62 (24 cross-files) failed due to sponsor withdrawal, unfavorable reports by the assigned committee, or remaining in committee.

A detailed list of the bills tracked by MCEC, with status at the end of session is available in MCEC's 2022 Policy Watch Tracking Sheet Final Summary.

 

Summary Highlights

  • Climate Solutions remains an issue of focus among members of the legislature
  • Transition to Clean Fuel Vehicles legislation with bills addressing community solar and resiliency passed
  • Multiple pieces of legislation address Environmental Justice issues, with many remaining in committee
  • Building Performance Standards provided a repeated theme, but more legislation remains in committee than ones that passed
  • The RPS was addressed in several bills, with one passing
  • Legislation must pass both chambers and return to the chamber of origination to be presented to the Governor for his signature and become law by midnight on Sine Die

CLIMATE SOLUTIONS NOW ACT OF 2022

  • Comprehensive bill addressing carbon emission reduction, energy efficiency, environmental justice, and the electrification of transportation
  • Includes funding for the Climate Catalytic Capital Fund
    • $5M Annual Appropriation
    • Fiscal Years 2024, 2025, and 2026
    • MCEC Administers the Fund
    • Provides guidelines for the use of the fund
    • Establishes a Fund Oversight Committee, appointed by the MCEC Board of Directors
    • 40% of the funds are intended to focus on investments in projects to address underserved communities and facilitate environmental justice
  • In addition to numerous amendments adopted by the Senate, the House adopted several amendments that included language from HB0088-Electric Distribution System Planning and Required Labor Standards, HB0094-State Vehicle Fleet-Conversion to Zero-Emission Passenger Cars and Other Light-Duty Vehicles, and HB0696-Public Utilities-Electric School Bus Pilot Program
  • Senate Bill 528 broadly changes the State’s approach to reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions while addressing climate change. It increases the statewide Greenhouse Gas Emissions reduction requirement to 60% from 2006 levels by 2031, with a target of net-zero emissions by 2045, providing requirements and restrictions to meet the goals. The bill addresses methane emissions from landfills, establishes new and alters existing requirements for buildings, increases and extends energy efficiency and conservation programs, addresses environmental justice with labor and employment initiatives, provides programs and requirements for the purchase of zero-emission vehicles, and creates new entities with special funding to support activities.

 

TRANSITION TO CLEAN FUEL VEHICLES

  • Ten pieces of legislation addressing the Transition to Clean Fuel Vehicles
  • Six crossed to the opposing chamber and were Returned Passed
  • Four remain in committee as of Monday, April 11, 2022
  • Bills that passed
    • SB0061/HB0010-Maryland Transit Administration-Conversion to Zero-Emission Buses (Zero-Emission Bus Transition Act Revisions)
    • SB0146-Vehicle Laws-Plug-In Electric Drive Vehicles-Reserved Parking Spaces
    • HB0157-Vehicle Laws-Plug-In Electric Drive Vehicles-Reserved Parking Spaces
    • HB0696-Public Utilities-Electric School Bus Pilot Program
    • HB1391-Clean Cars Act of 2022

 

COMMUNITY SOLAR

  • Eleven pieces of legislation address Community Solar
  • Four crossed to the opposing chamber were Returned Passed
  • Seven remain in committee as of Monday, April 11, 2022
  • Bills that passed
    • HB0076-Community Solar Energy Generating Systems-Exemption From Energy and Property Taxes
    • HB0440-Electricity-Community Solar Energy Generating Systems-Generating Capacity
    • SB0860-Solar Energy-School Construction and Community Solar Energy Generating Systems
    • HB1039-Property Tax-Community Solar Energy Generating Systems-Agrivoltaics

 

RPS

  • Seven pieces of legislation address the RPS
  • One crossed to the opposing chamber and was Returned Passed
  • One received an unfavorable report from the assigned committee
  • One withdrawn by the sponsor
  • Four remain in committee as of Monday, April 11, 2022
  • Bill that passed
    • SB0526-Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard and Renewable Energy Credits-Offshore Wind

 

RESILIENCY

  • Six pieces of legislation address Resiliency
  • Five crossed to opposing chamber and were Returned Passed
  • One remains in committee as of Monday, April 11, 2022
  • Bills that passed
    • SB0014-Sustainable Maryland Program Fund-Establishment
    • SB0215-Energy Storage Systems-Income Tax Credit and Grant Program
    • SB0256/HB0031-Maryland Energy Administration-Resiliency Hub Grant Program and Fund
    • SB0630-Maryland Department of Emergency Management-Office of Resilience

 

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE

  • Eleven pieces of legislation address Environmental Justice
  • Four crossed to the opposing chamber and were Returned Passed
  • Seven remain in committee as of Monday, April 11, 2022
  • Bills that passed
    • SB0524/HB0108-Public Utilities-Energy Efficiency and Conservation Programs-Energy Performance Targets and Low-Income Housing
    • SB0719/HB1001-Human Services-Office of Home Energy Programs-Power to the People Pilot Program Personnel and Uniform Redetermination Process

 

BUILDING PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

  • Eight pieces of legislation address Building Performance Standards
  • Two crossed to the opposing chamber and remain in committee as of Monday, April 11, 2022

PASSED LEGISLATION

FAILED LEGISLATION