Maryland lawmakers on Monday introduced a package of bills aimed at expanding the state's energy generation capacity and addressing rising energy costs. The legislation, known as the Next Generation Energy Act, Renewable Energy Certainty Act, and Resource Adequacy and Planning Act, includes provisions to speed up the permitting process for new energy production projects, including those that use natural gas. Applications for new natural gas plants would be required to come with plans to eventually convert to hydrogen and implement carbon capture efforts when those technologies mature.
The bills also aim to make solar power more accessible and reliable for middle and low-income communities, create a state body responsible for creating a 25-year projection of the state's energy needs, and reduce financial risks for new projects, especially nuclear power plants.
The legislation comes amid concerns about rising energy costs in Maryland, which imports about 40 percent of its power from plants in neighboring states. The state's ambitious climate goals, which include moving away from fossil fuels and embracing greener energy sources, have clashed with complaints about skyrocketing energy bills.
Environmental advocates have expressed concerns about the inclusion of natural gas in the legislation, arguing that it is not acceptable to build new fossil fuel plants in the middle of the climate crisis. However, state leaders have emphasized the need to find a middle ground that will increase Maryland's power supply and stop runaway rates.
Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson said the legislation would allow the state to better plan for future energy needs, with an eye toward eventually reaching net zero carbon emissions. He hopes to see new projects in development by the end of 2025.