MD HB398

Electric companies must submit plans to the Public Service Commission by November 1, 2025 and November 1, 2026 for constructing or procuring 150 megawatts of distribution-connected energy storage devices, with devices operational by August 2027 and August 2028 respectively

Establishes zero-emission credits for beneficial nuclear facilities at a rate of $15/MWh minus 80% of gross receipts above $25/MWh, with credits unavailable during periods when facilities receive federal nuclear production tax credits and ending after 2055

Creates procurement goals of 1,600 megawatts of front-of-the-meter transmission energy storage devices through two competitive solicitations (800 MW each by January 2026 and January 2027), with devices required to be operational within 18 months of selection

Establishes the Utility-Scale SREC-II Program targeting 3,000 megawatts of new utility-scale solar generation by 2035 and the Small Solar Facilities Incentive Program targeting 3,000 megawatts of new small solar generation (community and net-metered systems) by 2035

Redirects alternative compliance fees from the Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund to a new escrow account for distribution back to ratepayers, and directs 75% of sales/use tax and franchise tax revenue from qualified data centers operational after January 1, 2026 to this escrow account