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HB 1415

Environment - Building Energy Performance Standards and Energy Use Intensity Targets - Exemptions

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Chris Adams and 10 co-sponsors

Maryland bill requires buildings to meet energy efficiency standards with designated exemptions, balancing climate goals against compliance costs for property owners.

Hearing 3/05 at 1:00 p.m.
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Bill Summary · HB 1415

Legislative bill overview

HB 1415 establishes building energy performance standards and energy use intensity (EUI) targets for Maryland buildings, while creating exemptions from these requirements. The bill sets mandatory efficiency benchmarks that buildings must meet, with specified exemptions that allow certain properties to avoid compliance obligations.

Why is this important

Energy efficiency standards for buildings directly impact operating costs for property owners and tenants, energy consumption patterns across the state, and progress toward climate goals. The exemptions determine which buildings must invest in upgrades, affecting real estate markets, rental affordability, and the actual environmental impact achieved.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope of exemptions: Disagreement over which building types/sizes should be exempt—broader exemptions reduce compliance costs but weaken environmental targets; narrower exemptions maximize climate impact but impose higher costs on owners
  • Economic burden distribution: Small property owners and nonprofits may argue exemptions should be broader to avoid costly upgrades, while climate advocates argue large buildings should bear compliance regardless of impact on operating budgets
  • EUI target feasibility: Whether energy intensity targets are technically achievable and affordable within proposed timelines, or if they require unrealistic renovation investments that could destabilize rental markets or building values

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

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