Yesterday, Governor Moore introduced the Lower Bills and Local Power Act to help bring down utility costs for Marylanders across the state by securing an affordable and reliable energy future for Maryland.
This legislation comes after $200 million in energy rebates Governor Moore put forward to put money back in the pockets of Marylanders as well as more than $130 million for clean energy and modernization programs.
Governor Moore continues to be laser-focused on bringing down prices for hard-working Marylanders by providing direct relief and investing in projects that make energy more reliable.
Here’s what Marylanders are reading:
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WBFF) — Governor Wes Moore has announced the Lower Bills and Local Power Act, a key component of the administration’s 2026 legislative agenda to combat rising utility costs and promote affordable local energy in Maryland.
The administration says the legislation helps secure funding for local clean energy projects, modernize the electric grid, and provide additional energy bill rebates for Maryland families.
“Energy policy is about more than megawatts and transmission corridors—it is about whether Maryland families can afford to live in their homes,” said Gov. Moore. The governor emphasized the administration’s commitment to delivering real relief by reducing utility bills and investing in local projects to make energy more reliable and affordable.
The Lower Bills and Local Power Act uses nearly $200 million to help lower energy costs, including $100 million for new utility bill rebates this fall, in addition to rebates already delivered through the Next Generation Energy Act.
To modernize Maryland’s transmission grid, the act requires utility companies to prioritize advanced technologies. The legislation also allocates $10 million for the Maryland Department of Transportation to identify opportunities for high-voltage transmission lines and battery storage projects along state and interstate highways.
“The Maryland Department of Transportation is a proud partner and supporter of the Moore-Miller Administration’s efforts to modernize the state’s energy grid and lower energy costs,” said Acting Secretary Katie Thomson.
To support local energy generation, the legislation creates a $70 million Solar and Energy Storage Gap Financing Program to fund clean energy projects and offset recent federal tax credit cuts.
“The Moore-Miller Administration is committed to moving as quickly as possible to a more affordable, reliable, clean energy system,” said Maryland Energy Administration Director Kelly Speakes-Backman.
The act also eliminates the current 0.5% incentive that allows utilities to collect additional profits and mandates that utility companies join Maryland’s regional transmission organization, PJM Interconnection. This mandate is expected to save Maryland families tens of millions of dollars annually.
“In the face of rapidly rising utility bills, our state leaders need to scrutinize every cost that is being charged to ratepayers,” said Maryland Public Interest Research Group Senior Advisor Emily Scarr.
The legislation builds upon previous actions by the Moore-Miller Administration to lower energy costs, including the Building an Affordable and Reliable Energy Future executive order and the delivery of $200 million in energy rebates.
Contact: Carter Elliott, IV [email protected]