Maryland officials announce legislation to lower energy bills for state residents

MARYLAND (WBFF) — Maryland officials announced the Utility RELIEF Act, described as a comprehensive legislative package to lower energy bills for residents.

The legislation is said to incorporate elements from the governor’s proposed Lower Bills and Local Energy Act and represents a unified strategy between the Moore Administration and the Maryland General Assembly to generate more energy in the state and hold big utility companies accountable.

The plan is also expected to save Maryland families at least $150 on their energy bills every year.

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The Utility RELIEF (Reducing Energy Load Inflation on Everyday Families) will use over $200 million from the Strategic Energy Investment Fund to secure local clean energy generation, modernize the state’s electric grid, and lower energy bills.

Here are the key actions that the legislation will take:

• Energy Bill Relief
• Local clean energy generation
• Grid modernization
• Holding utilities accountable
• Data center guardrails
• Protecting working families

Marylanders deserve energy bills they can afford. But because of the Trump-Vance administration’s actions and failures by regional operators like PJM, too many families are seeing skyrocketing utility costs—and that is unacceptable,” said Governor Moore. “That is why we are taking action where we can: holding utility companies accountable, moving faster to build new energy generation, and delivering $100 million to lower energy bills for Maryland families. While Washington keeps making life harder for working people, we are staying focused on the issues that matter – lowering costs, making Maryland more affordable, and protecting Maryland families.

“Our Utility RELIEF (Reducing Energy Load Inflation for Everyday Families) Act will provide Maryland ratepayers at least $150 in annual savings while holding utilities and data centers accountable, strengthening the long-term reliability of our energy system, incentivizing new generation, and reaffirming our commitment to achieving our clean energy goals,” said House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk. “Savings from this bill will make life more affordable for all Marylanders. We are delivering on our affordability, accountability, and opportunity agenda.”

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Officials announced the legislation at a press conference on Friday.

You can watch the full press conference in the video above.