Public Service Commission - Implementation Plan to Convert Formerly Operational Fossil Fuel Generating Stations

EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*hb1349*

HOUSE BILL 1349
M5, C5 6lr3247

By: Delegates Wivell, Adams, Arentz, Baker, Beauchamp, Buckel, Hornberger,
Hutchinson, McComas, Miller, Reilly, Tomlinson, and Valentine
Introduced and read first time: February 12, 2026
Assigned to: Environment and Transportation

A BILL ENTITLED

AN ACT concerning 1

Public Service Commission – Implementation Plan to Convert Formerly 2
Operational Fossil Fuel Generating Stations 3

FOR the purpose of requiring the Public Service Commission to develop an implementation 4
plan to convert formerly operational generating stations in the State to natural gas 5
generating stations ; requiring the Commission to conduct a public stakeholder 6
process to solicit input when developing the implementation plan ; and generally 7
relating to an implementation plan to convert formerly operational generating 8
stations in the State to natural gas generating stations. 9

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 10
That: 11

(a) The Public Service Commission shall develop a n implementation plan to 12
convert formerly operational fossil fuel generating stations located in the State to natural 13
gas generating stations. 14

(b) In developing the implementation plan, the Commission shall conduct a public 15
stakeholder process to solicit input, including soliciting input from: 16

(1) the Office of People’s Counsel; 17

(2) the Maryland Energy Administration; 18

(3) the Department of Natural Resources; 19

(4) the Department of the Environment; 20

(5) investor–owned electric and gas companies , electric cooperatives, and 21
municipal electric utilities; 22
2 HOUSE BILL 1349

(6) owners of generating stations and natural gas transmission systems 1
located in the State; 2

(7) nonprofit advocacy organizations with relevant expertise; and 3

(8) local governments with formerly operational fossil fuel generating 4
stations located in their jurisdictions. 5

(c) The implementation plan shall include, with respect to converting formerly 6
operational fossil fuel generating stations located in the State to natural gas generating 7
stations: 8

(1) an assessment of the feasibility and associated costs, including the 9
feasibility and associated costs of: 10

(i) an electric company or gas company taking ownership of the 11
generating stations; and 12

(ii) a person that is not an electric company or gas company taking 13
ownership of the generating stations; 14

(2) a description of any legal, regulatory, and engineering barriers and 15
their potential solutions; 16

(3) a conversion timeline that balances ratepayer costs with electric system 17
reliability; 18

(4) any draft legislation necessary for implementation; and 19

(5) any other relevant matter, as determined by the Commission. 20

(d) On or before January 1, 202 7, the Commission shall provide its 21
implementation plan and recommendations to the Governor and, in accordance with § 22
2–1257 of the State Government Article, the Senate Committee on Education, Energy, and 23
the Environment and the House Environment and Transportation Committee. 24

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect June 25
1, 2026. 26