US EditionGov. Moore’s energy plan aims to cut costs; slashes clean energy fund to pay for it
The $200 million Lower Bills and Local Power Act includes $100 million in direct utility rebates and $70 million for solar and storage projects to enhance energy reliability.
- On Monday, Governor Wes Moore announced the Lower Bills and Local Power Act as part of his 2026 legislative agenda, proposing nearly $200 million to lower utility bills and expand clean energy across Maryland.
- Facing rapidly rising utility bills, the Moore-Miller Administration framed the bill as relief for Maryland families and said it builds on earlier rebate efforts totaling $200 million.
- The Lower Bills and Local Power Act allocates nearly $200 million, including $100 million for rebates and creates a $200 million Solar and Energy Storage Gap Financing Program, while eliminating a 0.5% utility profit incentive and requiring Maryland utilities to join PJM Interconnection.
- The plan would tap the Strategic Energy Investment Fund and move $292 million into general revenue to cover a $1.8 billion deficit, with Senate Minority Leader Steve Hershey warning `Marylanders are getting more mandates, more transmission spending, and more dependence on out-of-state energy`, Hershey said.
- Advocates warn the move risks key efficiency programs, saying cuts to the Strategic Energy Investment Fund would harm low- and middle-income residents and clash with Maryland's net-zero-by-2045 goal, while Josh Tulkin said, `Energy prices are going up for everybody, but they're most harmful to low-income families.
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13 Articles
Governor faces swift backlash amid plan to shift nearly $300 million from state budget: 'Prices are going up for everybody'
Maryland residents are concerned about state government cuts to important climate funding, according to The Baltimore Sun. What's happening? Gov. Wes Moore has proposed tapping into Maryland's Strategic Energy Investment Fund in the upcoming fiscal year. It would move $292 million into general revenue to make up for a $1.8 billion deficit. These cuts run counter to Moore's commitment to make the state net-zero by 2045, which has already been p…
Moore proposes another $40 electric bill credit for Marylanders
Gov. Wes Moore (D), shown here in a file photo from last week, said the energy proposal he unveiled Tuesday is aims to "deliver real relief" by driving down utility bills and investing in projects that make energy "more reliable and affordable.” (Photo Bryan P. Sears/Maryland Matters)Gov. Wes Moore (D) unveiled a legislative energy proposal Tuesday that aims to deliver another roughly $40 electric bill refund to Marylanders, along with policy ch…
Capital Gazette
Hastings TribuneGov. Moore’s energy plan aims to cut costs; slashes clean energy fund to pay for it
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Moore Unveils Plan to Slash Maryland Utility Bills
Governor Wes Moore announced the Lower Bills and Local Power Act on January 27, 2026, in Annapolis as a core element of the Moore-Miller Administration’s 2026 legislative agenda. The proposal targets rising utility costs for Maryland families by mobilizing nearly $200 million from the Strategic Energy Investment Fund, which collects Alternative Compliance Payments from utilities, to fund direct rebates, grid modernization, and local clean energy…
Moore aims to boost MD energy capacity, aid utility customers Moore announces legislation to increase capacity, aid utility customers
Gov. Wes Moore dropped legislation aimed at modernizing Maryland’s electric grid and providing direct rebates for utility customers. Gov. Wes Moore’s bill would utilize $200 million from Maryland’s Strategic Energy Investment Fund, $100 million of which would go directly toward ratepayers.
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