Maryland Energy-Related Legislation

    Bill Number
    Title
    Effective Date

    Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard - Solar Energy (Administration Bill)
    Accelerates Maryland’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) requirements in the early years (2011–2017), resulting in more residential and commercial solar installations in those years.

    		 Jan. 1, 2011

    Motor Vehicle Excise Tax - Tax Credit for Electric Vehicles (Administration Bill)
    Creates a 3-year vehicle excise tax exemption, up to $2,000 per vehicle, for the purchase of a qualified plug-in electric vehicle (PHEV).

    		 Oct. 1, 2010

    SB 287 / HB 464

    Maryland Clean Energy Incentive Act (Administration Bill)
    Extends the existing Clean Energy Incentive Tax Credit for an additional 5 years, which is expected to introduce an additional 3.3 million MWh of clean energy in Maryland.

    		 July 1, 2010
    High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lanes - Use by Plug-In Vehicles
    Allows qualified plug-in electric vehicles to occupy HOV lanes regardless of the number of passengers in the vehicle.
    		 Oct. 1, 2010
    Maryland Clean Energy Center - Miscellaneous Provisions
    Modifies voting criteria for the Maryland Clean Energy Center (MCEC), and redefines the number of votes needed for the board of directors to act.
    		 Oct. 1, 2010
    Task Force on Solar Hot Water Systems in Prince George’s County
    Establishes a task force within Price George’s County to research solar hot water systems. The task force will then report its findings and make recommendations to the Prince George’s County delegation.
    		 June 1, 2010
    Net Metering Bills
    SB 355 requires electric companies to pay customers who generate electricity for credits from excess electricity generated. Payment for excess generation credits must be at the same retail electric rate the customer-generator pays for electricity consumption. HB 801 changes the accrual of credits for a customer from a kilowatt-hour (kWh) basis to a dollar basis. HB 821 and SB 529 include fuel cells as a source of generation eligible for net energy metering.

    SB 355 and HB 801: July 1, 2010

    SB 529 and HB 821: Oct. 1, 2010

Find energy-related bills and more at The Maryland General Assembly website.