Utility RELIEF Act - Energy Investment Fund and Renewable Energy Auctions
Summary
Maryland Senate Bill 841 (Utility RELIEF Act) passed second reading on April 2, 2026, with multiple amendments. The bill modifies the Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund and alternative compliance fee structure, and requires the Maryland Energy Administration to conduct annual competitive low-bid auctions for renewable energy generation projects in consultation with the Public Service Commission.
What changed
The bill alters uses of the Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund and compliance fees, and establishes a competitive auction mechanism for alternative compliance fees to support renewable energy development. It sets eligibility requirements for bidders and procedures for auction implementation. The bill passed with several floor amendments adopted, including those from Senators Watson, Harris, Corderman, Jennings, and Ready.
Maryland energy utilities, clean energy developers, and the Maryland Energy Administration should monitor this bill as it advances through the legislative process. The bill requires the MEA to develop and conduct annual competitive auctions, creating new obligations for renewable energy project developers seeking to participate in compliance markets. Compliance requirements and timelines will be determined once the bill is enacted.
What to do next
- Monitor SB841 progress through Maryland General Assembly
- Assess impact on renewable energy compliance obligations and alternative compliance fee exposure
- Review eligibility requirements for participation in future renewable energy auctions
Source document (simplified)
ChangeBridge / Maryland / SB841 Passed SB841 Senate Bill Passed 2026-02-06
Utility RELIEF (Reducing Energy Load Inflation for Everyday Families) Act
Altering the uses of the Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund and certain compliance fees; requiring the Maryland Energy Administration, in consultation with the Public Service Commission, to develop and conduct certain annual, competitive, low-bid alternative compliance fee auctions for the development of certain renewable energy generation projects; establishing the purpose and procedures for an auction and the eligibility requirements for certain bidders; etc.
Bill Details
State Maryland
Session 2026 Regular Session
Chamber Senate
Official Source mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation...
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Sponsors
Brian Feldman (Sen - D) Katie Hester (Sen - D) William Ferguson (Sen - D) Benjamin Brooks (Sen - D) Dawn Gile (Sen - D) Kevin Harris (Sen - D) Cheryl Kagan (Sen - D) Bryan Simonaire (Sen - R) Mary Washington (Sen - D) Ron Watson (Sen - D)
Action History
2026-04-02 S Second Reading Passed with Amendments 2026-04-02 S Floor Amendment {353523/1 (Senator Ready) Adopted 2026-04-02 S Floor Amendment {773025/1 (Senator Ready) Rejected (17-26) 2026-04-02 S Floor Amendment {263226/1 (Senator Hershey) Rejected (15-28) 2026-04-02 S Floor Amendment {223827/1 (Senator West) Rejected (14-29) 2026-04-02 S Floor Amendment {523124/1 (Senator Harris) Adopted 2026-04-02 S Floor Amendment {703021/1 (Senator Corderman) Adopted 2026-04-02 S Floor Amendment {513222/1 (Senator Watson) Adopted 2026-04-02 S Floor Amendment {873621/1 (Senator Watson) Adopted 2026-04-02 S Floor Amendment {813629/1 (Senator Jennings) Adopted (20-19) 2026-04-02 S Floor Amendment {673724/1 (Senator Ready) Rejected (15-22) 2026-04-02 S Floor Amendment {403821/1 (Senator Hershey) Rejected (19-22) 2026-04-02 S Floor Amendment {153123/1 (Senator Ready) Rejected (14-23) 2026-04-02 S Floor Amendment {873027/1 (Senator West) Rejected (14-29) 2026-04-02 S Favorable with Amendments {423325/1 Adopted 2026-04-02 S Favorable with Amendments Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment 2026-02-10 S Hearing 2/26 at 1:00 p.m. 2026-02-06 S First Reading Education, Energy, and the Environment
Committee Referrals
2026-02-06 S Education, Energy, and the Environment
Amendments
2026-04-02 Favorable with Amendments 423325/1 2026-04-02 Floor Amendment 873027/1 (Senator West) Rejected (14-29) 2026-04-02 Floor Amendment 153123/1 (Senator Ready) Rejected (14-23) 2026-04-02 Floor Amendment 403821/1 (Senator Hershey) Rejected (19-22) 2026-04-02 Floor Amendment 673724/1 (Senator Ready) Rejected (15-22) 2026-04-02 Floor Amendment 813629/1 (Senator Jennings) Adopted (20-19) Adopted 2026-04-02 Floor Amendment 873621/1 (Senator Watson) Adopted Adopted 2026-04-02 Floor Amendment 513222/1 (Senator Watson) Adopted Adopted 2026-04-02 Floor Amendment 703021/1 (Senator Corderman) Adopted Adopted 2026-04-02 Floor Amendment 523124/1 (Senator Harris) Adopted Adopted 2026-04-02 Floor Amendment 223827/1 (Senator West) Rejected (14-29) 2026-04-02 Floor Amendment 263226/1 (Senator Hershey) Rejected (15-28) 2026-04-02 Floor Amendment 773025/1 (Senator Ready) Rejected (17-26) 2026-04-02 Floor Amendment 353523/1 (Senator Ready) Adopted Adopted
Bill Text Versions
2026-02-10 Introduced
Subjects
State Government - Agencies, Offices, and Officials Energy and Climate Utility Regulation Auctions Bonds Clean Energy Credits Energy Administration Energy Matters Environmental Incentives Fees Grants Open Government Prices Procurement Public Service Commission Renewable Energy Sources Reports Revenue and Taxes Solar Energy Solicitation Sunset Utilities Weights and Measures Legislative data powered by LegiScan (CC BY 4.0)
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