Maryland lawmakers are debating utility relief legislation that could help save consumers money in a number of ways.
The Utility Reducing Energy Load Inflation for Everyday Families Act would make wide-ranging changes to Maryland’s energy policy. It’s also drawing criticism from environmentalists and Republicans.
State senators took part in a marathon debate Thursday amid attempts to amend comprehensive legislation to lower electric bills. Democrats contend they are doing everything they can within their power while Republicans charge the bill doesn’t go far enough.
Senate Minority Leader Stephen Hershey, R-District 36, broke down the numbers during debate, saying: “$150 a year breaks down to $12.50 a month. That’s what we are doing.”
“It has been called a little bit of a Frankenstein bill and it’s supposed to be about relief for ratepayers,” said Senate Minority Whip Justin Ready, R-District 5. “We’re banking our people pay a lot more of how much (the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative) costs consumers. It is estimated it adds about $20 to $25 a month on everybody’s bill.”
The bill that spans more than 100 pages would establish consumer transparency requirements for utilities and put significant guardrails and policies in place to manage growth of data centers.
“If we were to do nothing, colleagues, the continued growth of these data centers would grow to be 32 gigawatts across the PJM area. That equates roughly to $163 billion, which could be an additional $70 per month on everybody’s residential energy bill,” said Senate Deputy Majority Whip Katie Fry-Hester, D-District 9.
While the bill would reduce the EmPOWER Maryland surcharge, Republicans wanted to pause it. The EmPOWER fund offers incentives to households to be more energy efficient. Currently, there is a surcharge of $15 to $20 on customers’ monthly bills to fund the initiative.
“As amended, Senate Bill 841 addresses energy affordability by providing short-, medium- and long-term rate relief for Maryland ratepayers through a variety of program changes and adjustments,” said Senate Education, Energy and the Environment Committee Chairman Brian Feldman, D-District 15.
The bill would cap the amount of executive bonus money Baltimore Gas and Electric can recoup from ratepayers. It would also require the Maryland Public Service Commission to study BGE’s practice of spending forecasts, particularly as the utility passes on the cost of improvements made to consumers.
Following emotional debate, the bill was amended to require the PSC to notify property owners when powerline projects are approved in their neighborhoods.
“Nobody knew about this until it was too late,” said Sen. J.B. Jennings, R-District 7, whose district encompasses portions of Baltimore and Harford counties.
The Senate bill advanced to third reader. The nearly identical House version of the bill is also on the Senate floor, and senators will begin to consider it on Monday.