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HB 904

Department of Planning - Study on Solar Energy Project Sites

2025 Regular Session Introduced by David Moon

MDP, with MEA, must study DPSCS land for potential solar projects, set site criteria and lease feasibility, and report to Governor/GA by Oct 1, 2027 (effective Oct 1, 2025).

Hearing canceled
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Bill Summary · HB 904

Summary — HB 904: Department of Planning — Study on Solar Energy Project Sites

Status: Hearing canceled (per provided information)
Introduced: January 30, 2025 (bill text indicates Delegate Moon as sponsor)
If enacted: Effective October 1, 2025; report due October 1, 2027

Purpose

Require the Maryland Department of Planning (MDP), in consultation with the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA), to conduct a study identifying and evaluating land owned by the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS) for potential siting of new solar energy projects. The study is intended to inform future decisions about using DPSCS-owned property for renewable energy installations.

Key provisions

  • Directs MDP, working with MEA, to identify DPSCS-owned parcels that might be suitable for new solar projects and to evaluate those sites.
  • Requires the study to:
    1. Develop criteria to assess and compare site suitability for new solar projects (e.g., size, shading, interconnection access, environmental constraints — criteria to be defined by the study).
    2. Assess the feasibility of using lease agreements for solar development on DPSCS land (including legal, financial, and operational considerations).
  • Reporting requirement: MDP must submit findings and recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly by October 1, 2027 (per §2–1257 procedures).
  • Effective date: The act would take effect October 1, 2025.

Who is affected

  • Primary agencies: Maryland Department of Planning (responsible for the study), Maryland Energy Administration (consulting role), and DPSCS (landowner whose properties are evaluated).
  • Secondary: solar developers, local governments, utility companies (interconnection), and state policymakers who may use the report to authorize or structure future projects or leases.
  • No immediate change to existing land use or authority to site projects — the bill mandates a study only.

Procedural/timeline notes

  • Study work period: up to roughly two years (effective Oct 1, 2025 → report due Oct 1, 2027).
  • The bill does not itself authorize projects, leases, or expenditures; further legislative or administrative action would be required to implement installations or enter leases.
  • Status provided: hearing canceled. (If enacted, MDP would prepare the required report by the October 1, 2027 deadline.)

Potential impacts

  • Positive: could identify state-owned land suitable for renewable energy, streamline future siting, and create revenue opportunities via leases while advancing state clean energy goals.
  • Limitations: scope is limited to DPSCS land; study outcomes do not compel project development and actual implementation would require further approvals, procurement, and funding decisions. Fiscal impact depends on study resources and any subsequent projects; the bill text does not appropriate funds.

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

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