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SB 953

Construction and Expansion of Transmission Lines and Task Force to Develop a Realistic Electricity Plan for Maryland

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Mary Beth Carozza and 4 co-sponsors

Establishes a time-limited Task Force to chart Maryland’s realistic electricity needs and limit out-of-state power, pausing new transmission approvals until review concludes.

Hearing 3/06 at 1:00 p.m.
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Bill Summary · SB 953

SB 953 — Construction and Expansion of Transmission Lines and Task Force to Develop a Realistic Electricity Plan for Maryland

Status: Hearing 3/06 at 1:00 p.m.
Introduced: January 28, 2025 — Assigned to Education, Energy, and the Environment
Companion: HB 1218

Purpose

Establish a time‑limited Task Force to evaluate Maryland’s near‑ and long‑term electricity needs under multiple scenarios and to recommend policy and legislative options (including limits on out‑of‑state electricity reliance). Temporarily prohibit the Public Service Commission (PSC) from approving new or expanded transmission lines while the Task Force conducts its work.

Key provisions

  • Creates the Task Force to Develop a Realistic Electricity Plan for Maryland (statutory membership and appointments specified).
  • Directs the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) to staff the Task Force and permits MEA to hire independent consultants.
  • Requires the Task Force to assemble and analyze realistic, current forecasts and estimates for the years 2026, 2030, 2035, and 2040, including:
    • State electricity demand forecasts;
    • Percent of electricity imported from out of state;
    • Capacity‑market costs that would be passed to Maryland ratepayers.
  • Requires separate analyses for 2030/2035/2040 of capacity‑market costs under a scenario where Maryland imports no more than 25% of its electricity.
  • Directs the Task Force to consider policy options and recommend legislation to achieve ≤25% out‑of‑state electricity in 2030/2035/2040 and to ensure reliability and adequacy through 2040.
  • Policy options to be considered must include: expansion of in‑state nuclear generation, expansion of in‑state renewables, prioritization of energy storage, and upgrades/enhancements to transmission as they exist on July 1, 2025.
  • Requires a Task Force report of findings and recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly by December 31, 2025.

PSC moratorium on transmission approvals

  • From July 1, 2025 through May 1, 2026, PSC may not issue Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCNs) or otherwise approve construction or expansion of any transmission lines in Maryland.

Membership, operations, and compensation

  • Membership includes legislators, state agency heads (or designees), a PSC member, People’s Counsel, PJM representative, major utilities (BGE, Constellation, Pepco, Potomac Edison, Delmarva, Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative), an independent generator, agricultural representative, public energy expert, environmental nonprofit representatives, and ratepayer representatives.
  • MEA provides staff; Task Force members receive no compensation but are eligible for travel reimbursement.
  • Task Force may hire an independent consultant.

Fiscal impact and timeline

  • MEA special fund expenditures estimated to increase by at least $250,000 in FY2026 to procure consultant services.
  • Bill effective July 1, 2025; Task Force report due December 31, 2025.
  • The Act remains effective for one year and is abrogated June 30, 2026 (PSC moratorium ends May 1, 2026).

Who is affected

  • State agencies (MEA, PSC), utilities and developers proposing transmission projects, PJM, electricity generators, ratepayers, environmental and agricultural stakeholders, and legislators considering energy policy.

Procedural notes

  • Read first time 1/28/2025; referred to committee; public hearing scheduled 3/06. Companion HB 1218 mirrors subject. The moratorium could delay transmission project approvals in the short term while the Task Force completes its analysis.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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