Section 7-701 – Definitions
(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. (b) “Administration” means the Maryland Energy Administration. (c) “Fund” means the Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund established under § 9–20B–05 of the State Government Article. (d) “Geothermal heating and cooling system” means a system that: (1) exchanges thermal energy from groundwater or a shallow ground source to generate thermal […]
Section 7-702 – Intent and Findings
(a) It is the intent of the General Assembly to: (1) recognize the economic, environmental, fuel diversity, and security benefits of renewable energy resources; (2) reduce greenhouse gas emissions and eliminate carbon–fueled generation from the State’s electric grid by using these resources; (3) establish a market for electricity from these resources in Maryland; and (4) lower the cost to consumers […]
Section 7-703 – Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard
(a) (1) (i) The Commission shall implement a renewable energy portfolio standard that, except as provided under paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection, applies to all retail electricity sales in the State by electricity suppliers. (ii) If the standard becomes applicable to electricity sold to a customer after the start of a calendar year, the standard does not […]
Section 7-704 – Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard — Eligibility for Inclusion in Meeting Standards
(a) (1) Energy from a Tier 1 renewable source: (i) is eligible for inclusion in meeting the renewable energy portfolio standard regardless of when the generating system or facility was placed in service; and (ii) may be applied to the percentage requirements of the standard for either Tier 1 renewable sources or Tier 2 renewable sources. (2) (i) Energy from a […]
Section 7-704.1 – Application for Offshore Wind Project
(a) (1) The General Assembly finds and declares that: (i) the development of offshore wind energy is important to the economic well–being of the State and the nation; and (ii) it is in the public interest of the State to facilitate the construction of at least 1,200 megawatts of Round 2 offshore wind projects in order to: 1. position the […]
Section 7-704.2 – Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard — Offshore Wind Energy Component
(a) (1) The Commission shall determine the offshore wind energy component of the renewable energy portfolio standard under § 7–703(b)(12) through (25) of this subtitle based on the projected annual creation of ORECs by qualified offshore wind projects. (2) The Commission shall establish the renewable energy portfolio standard obligation for ORECs on a forward–looking basis that includes a […]
Section 7-705 – Compliance; Failure to Comply
(a) Each electricity supplier shall submit a report to the Commission each year in a form and by a date specified by the Commission that: (1) (i) demonstrates that the electricity supplier has complied with the applicable renewable energy portfolio standard under § 7–703 of this subtitle and includes the submission of the required amount of renewable energy […]
Section 7-706 – Recovery of Costs or Compliance Fees; Waiver
(a) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, in accordance with the obligation to provide standard offer service through the bid process created under § 7–510 of this title, the Commission shall allow an electricity supplier to recover actual dollar–for–dollar costs incurred, including a compliance fee under § 7–705 of this subtitle, in complying […]
Section 7-708 – Renewable Electricity Trading System
(a) (1) The Commission shall establish and maintain a market-based renewable electricity trading system to facilitate the creation and transfer of renewable energy credits. (2) To the extent practicable, the trading system shall be consistent with and operate in conjunction with the trading system developed by PJM Interconnection, Inc., if available. (3) The Commission may contract with a for-profit […]
Section 7-709 – Renewable Energy Credits
(a) An electricity supplier may use accumulated renewable energy credits to meet the renewable energy portfolio standard, including credits created by a renewable on–site generator. (b) A renewable energy credit may be sold or otherwise transferred. (c) (1) (i) If an electricity supplier purchases solar renewable energy credits directly from a renewable on–site generator with a capacity that exceeds 10 […]