The Energy Industry Revitalization Working Group
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The Energy Industry Revitalization Working Group submitted the study, “The Renewable Energy Transition in Maryland: Implications for Energy Generating Facilities and Small Businesses”, to the Commission and to the General Assembly and completed its primary mandate set by the Climate Solutions Now Act.
With this statutory requirement satisfied, the working group has been placed on pause and will not meet actively until further notice. If the Commission has additional requests, the working group may reconvene at a future date.
Created by the Climate Solutions Now Act of 2022, the Energy Industry Revitalization Working Group will focus on the possible opportunities and impacts on small businesses and potential facility closures due to the transition of an economy with more renewable energy.
2024 Annual Report
Prepared by the Center for Global Sustainability at the University of Maryland, College Park, The Renewable Energy Transition in Maryland: Implications for Energy Generating Facilities and Small Businesses, responds to the mandate outlined in Section 2–1303.2 of the Maryland Climate Solutions Now Act (CSNA) of 2022.
This report assesses the impact of the energy transition on small businesses and existing power facilities throughout the state. It assesses the potential for different opportunities and challenges from the clean energy transition, examines current and potential energy transition policies, provides recommendations on funding, financing, and technical assistance for small businesses, and provides further recommendations on how to support these key actors while ensuring a just transition for energy facilities.
Working Group Key Responsibilities:
Advise the commission on issues and opportunities related to small business revitalization and the transition to renewable energy’s effects on small businesses.
Conduct a study of the impacts of transitioning to renewable energy, including:
Small Business Impact
Economic Considerations
Facility Closures & Repurposing
Workforce & Community Impacts
The timing and location of facility closures and layoffs in nonrenewable energy industries.
The impact of facility closures and layoffs on affected workers, businesses, and communities.
How the commission can most effectively respond to the impact of facility closures and layoffs, including the potential to:
The working group will report its study findings to the Commission and the General Assembly.
Study and Staff Support:
Jared Williams, Climate Change Policy Analyst
Maryland Department of the Environment
Meeting Materials
"Clean energy will not just be part of our economy; clean energy will define our economy. This requires everyone — companies, communities, state and local governments, and the people — to take bold and decisive action, together..."
- Governor Wes Moore
