Maryland Public Utility Companies Section 7-516

CAUTION: READ FULL TEXT OF SECTION FOR SPECIAL NOTE

      (a)      An electric company shall continue to purchase electricity under any contract in effect on January 1, 1999, with a renewable energy resource facility located in the State until the later of the expiration of the contract or the expiration or satisfaction of bonds existing on January 1, 1999, supporting the facility.

      (b)      An investor-owned electric company shall continue to provide at least the same percentage of electricity from available renewable energy resources, at a reasonably comparable cost, as the electric company provided in 1998.

      (c)      On or before February 1, 2000, the Commission, in consultation with the Maryland Energy Administration, shall report to the Governor and, subject to § 2-1246 of the State Government Article, to the General Assembly on the feasibility of requiring a renewables portfolio standard, including the feasibility and structure of a two-tiered standard, and the estimated costs and benefits of establishing this requirement.

      (d)      (1)      (i)      In recognition of the potential environmental impacts of restructuring the electric industry, it is the intent of the General Assembly to minimize the effects of electric restructuring on the environment.

                  (ii)      Electric companies in Maryland shall conduct a study that tracks shifts in generation and emissions as a result of restructuring the electric industry.

                  (iii)      The study shall be submitted to the Department of the Environment and the Commission one year after the initial date of implementation of customer choice.

                  (iv)      Electric companies in Maryland shall update the study twice and submit each updated study to the Department of the Environment and the Commission on or before December 31, 2003 and on or before December 31, 2005.

            (2)      If, after review of the study required under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the Department of the Environment determines that the emissions levels impose a higher emission burden in Maryland, the Department of the Environment, in consultation with the Commission, shall study the appropriateness, constitutionality, and feasibility of establishing an air quality surcharge or other mechanism to protect Maryland's environment in connection with the implementation of customer choice of electricity suppliers.

** SPECIAL NOTE: EFFECTIVE - JANUARY 1, 2006 - CHAPTERS 487 AND 488 - 2006 **

      (a)      (1)      In recognition of the potential environmental impacts of restructuring the electric industry, it is the intent of the General Assembly to minimize the effects of electric restructuring on the environment.

            (2)      Electric companies in Maryland shall conduct a study that tracks shifts in generation and emissions as a result of restructuring the electric industry.

            (3)      The study shall be submitted to the Department of the Environment and the Commission one year after the initial date of implementation of customer choice.

            (4)      Electric companies in Maryland shall update the study twice and submit each updated study to the Department of the Environment and the Commission on or before December 31, 2003 and on or before December 31, 2005.

      (b)      If, after review of the study required under subsection (a) of this section, the Department of the Environment determines that the emissions levels impose a higher emission burden in Maryland, the Department of the Environment, in consultation with the Commission, shall study the appropriateness, constitutionality, and feasibility of establishing an air quality surcharge or other mechanism to protect Maryland's environment in connection with the implementation of customer choice of electricity suppliers.