MD HB1476

Public Service Commission must develop a successor program to the current net energy metering program that incentivizes distributed generation, minimizes ratepayer costs, and addresses energy equity concerns including disparities in grid maintenance costs between solar customers and other ratepayers.

Current net energy metering program will end when either statewide capacity reaches 3,000 megawatts or the Commission implements the successor program; the successor program will remain available until combined capacity under both programs reaches 6,000 megawatts.

Commission must conduct a stakeholder proceeding with input from utilities, renewable energy experts, and consumer advocates, then submit a report with recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly by December 15, 2026.

The report must address treatment of existing community solar projects and aggregated net energy metering customers under the new program, along with any necessary legislative changes.

Designated as an emergency bill; Section 1 provisions take effect contingent on either the Commission's report submission or capacity reaching 3,000 megawatts, with an October 1, 2031 sunset if neither condition is met.