Bill Positions

Bill Number: SB 795

Bill Title: Maryland Electricity Reregulation and Energy Independence Act of 2009

Bill Sponsor(s): Sen. Pipkin & Rosapepe

Subject: Environment & Energy

Committee: FIN

Bill Summary: This bill would have required the Public Service Commission to evaluate plans regarding electric generating needs. It would have required the Commission to approve a certificate of public convenience and necessity application only after consideration of need. It would have made a finding and declaration regarding a goal to return to a regulated electric market. It would have required the Commission to require electric companies to buy back electric generation facilities.

History: This bill died in the Finance Committee without a vote.

Chamber Position: Oppose

Position Summary: The Public Service Commission along with its expert analysts have studied the issue of reregulation and have recommended against it. Commission reports on the issue found that reregulation would be too costly to rate payers, too risky, and would result in legal problems. The Chamber respects the findings of the expert analysts that extensively studied the issue, and supports the competitive system currently in place. 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.