Energy Policy Watch: Maryland Update (April 2025)

Janine Nobleza
Apr 28
2 min read

Updated: May 1

This month’s update highlights key policy activity shaping Maryland’s energy future. The Next Generation Energy Act has passed the General Assembly and awaits the Governor’s signature. Meanwhile, implementation continues on the Brighter Tomorrow Act, which modernizes Maryland’s solar credit and permitting systems. A third proposal—the ENERGIZE Maryland Act—did not advance this session.

Here’s a quick overview of each policy and what it means for Maryland’s clean energy landscape.

Next Generation Energy Act (HB 1035 / SB 937) - Passed

This 2025 law modernizes Maryland’s utility planning and regulatory framework to support distributed energy resources (DERs), grid flexibility, and residential bill relief. It emphasizes resilience and a cleaner, more customer-focused energy system.

Key Provisions:

Grid Reform
- Requires state review of PJM’s transmission planning.
- PSC must consider non-wires alternatives (NWAs) and DERs.
DER Acceleration
- Streamlines interconnection for solar, battery storage, and EVs.
- Establishes a 150 MW front-of-the-meter battery storage goal.
Ratepayer Protections
- Allocates $200 million for residential utility bill credits in FY2026.
- Strengthens consumer safeguards in rate plans.
Resilience & Clean Standards
- Supports resilience hubs and local clean energy infrastructure.
- Removes waste-to-energy and refuse-derived fuel from Maryland’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS).
Nuclear Energy Assessment
- Directs a study on nuclear energy options and regional collaboration by December 2026.

Timeline

Date	Milestone
May 2025	Bill signed into law
July 2025	$200M in utility bill credits begin distribution to residential customers
September 2026	Large load rate design schedules due
December 2026	Nuclear energy study due
July 2030	DER interconnection acceleration provisions sunset

Brighter Tomorrow Act (SB 783) - Passed

Passed in 2024, the Brighter Tomorrow Act is now in its rollout phase. It updates Maryland’s Solar Renewable Energy Credit (SREC) program, introduces market and permitting reforms, and sets program limits to manage growth.

Key Provisions:

Program Launch
- PSC began certifying eligible projects on January 1, 2025.
- Certified SRECs count as 1.5× toward RPS goals.
5-Year SREC Validity
- SRECs issued from 2025 onward are valid for five years, up from three.
Capacity Caps
- Limits set at 300 MW for small systems (≤20 kW) and 270 MW for medium systems (>20 kW–5 MW), applied first-come, first-served.
Certified SRECs Go Live
- SRECs are now tradable and expected to command higher market value.
E-Permitting Deadline
- Counties must adopt SolarAPP+ or an equivalent by August 1, 2025, to streamline residential solar permitting.

Timeline

Date	Milestone
April 2024	Bill passed by the Maryland General Assembly
May 2024	Signed into law
July 2024	Act takes effect
January 2025	PSC opens applications for Certified SRECs
August 2025	Deadline for counties to adopt SolarAPP+ or an equivalent permitting platform
January 2028	Last date for systems to qualify for Certified SRECs

ENERGIZE Maryland Act (SB 434) - Not Passed

Aimed to increase RPS targets and broaden eligible clean energy technologies. Though it didn’t pass this session, the proposal signals future momentum toward stronger clean energy mandates.

Read our previous article here.

Sources and further reading: