MD SB596

Large load customers (commercial/industrial users with at least 25 megawatts monthly demand and over 80% load factor) purchasing surplus interconnection capacity are exempt from obtaining a certificate of public convenience and necessity

Large load customers must provide interconnection capacity for at least 25% of their load through behind-the-meter storage, new energy storage facilities, carbon-free assets, or demand response before connecting to the electric system

Customers providing 100% of their load capacity and paying prevailing wage receive prioritized processing for load studies, interconnection, and permitting

Public Service Commission must establish a Demand Response Program offering large load customers either 6 nonconsecutive 4-hour periods or 10 nonconsecutive 10-hour periods of load management annually, with 24-hour advance notice and 30-minute final notice requirements

Maryland Energy Administration must complete a study of surplus interconnection potential at all state generating facilities by December 31, 2026, and share results with data center developers to encourage use of surplus capacity