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Clean energy is good for Maryland’s economy; it reduces dependence on oil, reduces the need for additional power plants, and reduces air pollution. During the 2010 legislative session, the General Assembly passed bills promoting solar energy, wind farms, biofuels, electric cars, and net metering. Such legislation builds effectively upon the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Act of 2009 (SB278/HB315), which committed Maryland to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 25 percent below 2006 levels by 2020. Existing programs, such as the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, the Clean Cars Program, and EmPOWER Maryland, gave the State significant momentum in reaching that goal. Bills passed during 2010 legislative session to further this work include:
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Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (SB 277/ HB 471): Maryland law previously required the State to increase its solar energy use from 0.05 percent of all energy used in-state in 2008 to 2 percent in 2022. This bill accelerates the required adoption of solar energy during the period from 2011-2017. It also increases the Alternative Compliance Payment, a penalty that electricity providers must pay if they fail to meet solar energy requirements.
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Maryland Clean Energy Incentive Act of 2010 (SB 287/ HB 464): This program offers Marylanders a state income tax credit for generating renewable energy. It was previously set to expire at the end of 2010, but this bill extends the program through December 31, 2015.
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Motor Vehicles Excise Tax- Tax Credit for Electric Vehicles (SB 281/ HB 469): This bill encourages Marylanders to purchase electric vehicles by exempting such purchases from the vehicle excise tax for three years. This exemption is capped at $2,000 per vehicle and limited to one vehicle per person or 10 vehicles per company, and is funded by proceeds from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.
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Net Metering- Payment for Accrued Generation Credit (SB 355/ HB 701): This bill requires that, upon written request, electric companies must pay eligible customer-generators for any excess electricity produced at the same retail rate that customer pays for the consumption of electricity. An “eligible customer-generator” is a customer that owns and operates, or leases and operates, a biomass, solar, wind, or micro-combined heat and power electric generating facility.
MDE continues to coordinate with other agencies to support clean energy initiatives that have potential to reduce greenhouse emissions, improve air quality, create jobs, and benefit Maryland citizens. For more information on these bills visit the Maryland General Assembly’s website.
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