Bill Positions

Bill Number: SB 772

Bill Title: Electric Generating Facility Decommissioning and Restoration - Surcharge or Bond or Other Security - Fund

Bill Sponsor(s): Sen. Edwards

Subject: Environment & Energy

Committee: FIN

Bill Summary: This bill would have required the Public Service Commission to establish a surcharge on electric generating facilities to decommission plants.

History: This bill received and unfavorable report by the Finance Committee.

Chamber Position: Oppose

Position Summary: The bill really created a new tax on generating companies that woud have been passed on to electric consumers. The bill was unnecessary, because there is currently no such requirement, and regulatory programs are already in place make sure any sites decommissioned are adequately left in proper order. It would have been an unnecssary intrusion on PSC authority, and it would have discouraged generation, which is counterproductive in this electric reliability constrained era. The discouragement includes clean generating sources, such as wind and solar, along with traditional sources, which are needed to meet our very progressive renewable requirement. For these reasons, the Maryland Chamber opposed this bill.

Position Statement: Click here (pdf)

Chamber Staff: Allyson Black

General Assembly: Click here to view the bill on the Maryland General Assembly's website.