Public Service Commission
Maryland 2013 Regular Session
Utility Companies - Removal of Lines from Utility Poles [SB-853]
Requiring specified electric companies and telephone companies to coordinate with specified companies the timing of the removal of specified lines so that specified lines are removed within a specified period of time; authorizing the Public Service Commission to adopt specified regulations or issue specified orders; etc.
Sponsored by: Sen. Victor Ramirez
Unfavorable Report By Finance Withdrawn on 03/14/2013
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Gettr Maryland 2013 Regular Session
Gas Companies - Rate Regulation - Infrastructure Replacement Surcharge [SB-8]
Allowing a gas company to recover costs associated with infrastructure replacement projects through a gas infrastructure replacement surcharge on customer bills; requiring project cost calculations to include specified elements; specifying how the pretax rate of return is calculated and adjusted and what it includes; stating that the intent of the General Assembly is to accelerate infrastructure improvements by establishing a mechanism for gas companies to recover reasonable and prudent costs of infrastructure replacement; etc.
Sponsored by: Sen. Thomas Middleton
Approved By The Governor - Chapter 161 on 05/02/2013
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Maryland 2013 Regular Session
Thermal Energy - Task Force and Regulations [SB-797]
Establishing the Maryland Thermal Renewable Energy Credit Task Force; requiring the Task Force to analyze how to restructure the renewable energy portfolio standard to incorporate specified thermal energy sources; requiring the Task Force to make specified determinations and consider the impact of specified changes; requiring the Task Force to report findings and recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly on or before December 31, 2013; etc.
Sponsored by: Sen. Thomas Middleton
Approved By The Governor - Chapter 322 on 05/02/2013
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Maryland 2013 Regular Session
Public Service Commission - Membership [SB-710]
Altering the membership of the Public Service Commission.
Sponsored by: Sen. Delores Kelley
Hearing 3/05 At 1:00 P.m. on 03/05/2013
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Maryland 2013 Regular Session
Electricity - Community Energy-Generating Facilities - Pilot Program [SB-699]
Establishing a pilot program on community energy-generating facilities under the authority of the Public Service Commission; requiring the Commission to adhere to specified guidelines in conducting the pilot program; authorizing the Commission to assess an administrative fee; stating the effectiveness of contracts entered into during the pilot program; prohibiting the Commission or an electric company from changing the terms of a contract entered into during the pilot program; etc.
Sponsored by: Sen. James Rosapepe
Unfavorable Report By Finance on 03/27/2013
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Maryland 2013 Regular Session
Public Safety - Gas Pipelines - Emergency Response Planning [SB-605]
Requiring the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), in consultation with specified persons, to establish emergency response standards for specified gas transmission companies; requiring a gas transmission company to submit to MEMA an emergency response plan that meets specified minimum federal standards; requiring MEMA to review the emergency response plan of a gas transmission company and to require amendments or updates as needed to protect public safety; etc.
Sponsored by: Sen. Robert Zirkin
Unfavorable Report By Finance on 03/25/2013
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Maryland 2013 Regular Session
Public Safety - Gas Pipelines - Safety Reporting Requirements [SB-603]
Requiring a gas transmission company to submit a specified report on the state of its gas pipelines to the Public Service Commission and to an owner of real property on which the gas pipeline is located or adjacent to or contiguous to real property on which the gas pipeline is located; requiring a report under the Act to include specified information; requiring the Commission to make specified reports available to the public, including by publication on the Commission Web site; etc.
Sponsored by: Sen. Robert Zirkin
Unfavorable Report By Finance on 03/25/2013
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Maryland 2013 Regular Session
Public Safety - Gas Pipelines - Best Available Technology Requirement [SB-602]
Requiring the Public Service Commission to adopt regulations that establish safety standards and practices applicable to the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of gas pipelines; requiring the Commission to adopt regulations that require a gas transmission company to use best available technology to monitor the condition and safety of gas pipelines; requiring the Commission to adopt specified federal safety regulations as minimum standards for regulations adopted under the Act; etc.
Sponsored by: Sen. Robert Zirkin
Unfavorable Report By Finance on 03/25/2013
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Maryland 2013 Regular Session
Environment and Public Utilities - Notice to Neighboring Jurisdictions of Applications [SB-563]
Requiring the Department of the Environment, on receipt of a specified permit application, to give notice immediately or require the applicant to give notice immediately by certified mail to specified counties and municipal corporations and to specified members of the General Assembly; requiring an applicant for a specified incinerator or landfill system to give notice of the application, informational meeting, and hearings to specified counties and municipal corporations and to members of the General Assembly; etc.
Sponsored by: Sen. Bryan Simonaire
Approved By The Governor - Chapter 500 on 05/16/2013
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Maryland 2013 Regular Session
Electric Companies - Rate Adjustment to Recover Profits Lost During Service Disruption - Prohibition [SB-467]
Prohibiting the Public Service Commission from authorizing an electric company to adjust the electric company's rates to recover profits lost during a disruption in electrical service.
Sponsored by: Sen. James Rosapepe
Hearing 2/12 At 1:00 P.m. on 02/12/2013
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Maryland 2013 Regular Session
Maryland Offshore Wind Energy Act of 2013 [SB-275]
Altering the Maryland renewable energy portfolio standard program to include a specified amount of energy derived from offshore wind energy; prohibiting the portion of the renewable energy portfolio that represents offshore wind energy from applying to retail electricity sales by a supplier in excess of specified amounts of specified loads; defining "offshore wind renewable energy credit" for specified purposes; establishing an application process for specified proposed offshore wind energy projects; etc.
Sponsored by: Sen. Thomas Middleton
Hearing 2/13 At 1:00 P.m. on 02/13/2013
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Maryland 2013 Regular Session
Chesapeake Conservation Corps Program - Funding Extension [SB-27]
Repealing the limitations on the requirement to provide specified funding in specified fiscal years to the Chesapeake Conservation Corps Program for specified purposes from the Environmental Trust Fund; requiring specified funding for the Corps Program each fiscal year; extending the termination date of a specified surcharge on electrical energy distributed to retail electric customers in the State; etc.
Sponsored by: Sen. James Rosapepe
Approved By The Governor - Chapter 434 on 05/16/2013
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Maryland 2013 Regular Session
Public Utilities - Telephone Service - Charges for Directory Assistance [SB-142]
Providing that specified residential customers are entitled to only two directory assistance calls each month without charge; requiring the Public Service Commission to approve other charges for directory assistance, subject to an exception; and repealing a provision that authorizes the Commission to establish additional exemptions from directory assistance charges.
Sponsored by: Sen. Delores Kelley
Approved By The Governor - Chapter 185 on 05/02/2013
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Maryland 2013 Regular Session
Utility Service Protection Program - Annual Report - Deadline [SB-14]
Altering from June 1 to September 1 the date by which the Public Service Commission must report each year to the General Assembly on terminations of gas or electric service occurring during the previous heating season.
Sponsored by: Sen. Delores Kelley
Approved By The Governor - Chapter 8 on 04/09/2013
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Maryland 2013 Regular Session
Evaluation of the Application of Minority Business Enterprise Program by the Public Service Commission [SB-1063]
Requiring the Department of Transportation, the Governor's Office of Minority Affairs, and the Public Service Commission, in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General, to evaluate the feasibility and constitutionality of requiring the Commission to apply the provisions of a specified minority business enterprise program when exercising specified authority; and terminating the Act at the end of June 30, 2014.
Sponsored by: Sen. Nathaniel McFadden
Favorable Report By Finance on 04/08/2013
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Maryland 2013 Regular Session
Public Service Commission - Membership [HB-975]
Altering the membership of the Public Service Commission; establishing a specified eligibility requirement for specified commissioners; providing that the Chairman shall serve at large; requiring the Governor to appoint four new commissioners; and providing that members of the Commission as of June 30, 2013, shall continue to serve the terms to which they were appointed.
Sponsored by: Rep. Anne Kaiser
Unfavorable Report By Economic Matters on 03/12/2013
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Maryland 2013 Regular Session
Pipeline Safety and Community Protection Act [HB-953]
Requiring the Public Service Commission to act under a specified certification or agreement with the U.S. Secretary of Transportation as an interstate authority agent for the purpose of implementing specified federal pipeline safety laws; requiring a gas transmission company to respond to a report of specified gas leaks in a specified manner; prohibiting a person from beginning construction in the State on a gas pipeline without first obtaining a specified construction permit; etc.
Sponsored by: Rep. Dana Stein
Unfavorable Report By Economic Matters Withdrawn on 03/14/2013
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Maryland 2013 Regular Session
Gas Companies - Rate Regulation - Infrastructure Replacement Surcharge [HB-89]
Allowing a gas company to recover costs associated with infrastructure replacement projects through a gas infrastructure replacement surcharge on customer bills; requiring project cost calculations to include specified elements; specifying how the pretax rate of return is calculated and adjusted and what it includes; stating that the intent of the General Assembly is to accelerate infrastructure improvements by establishing a mechanism for gas companies to recover reasonable and prudent costs of infrastructure replacement; etc.
Sponsored by: Sen. Brian Feldman
First Reading Finance on 02/08/2013
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Maryland 2013 Regular Session
Public Service Commission - Hearings and Proceedings - Video and Audio Recordings [HB-825]
Requiring the Public Service Commission to make available on its Web site video and audio streaming of specified hearings and proceedings; and requiring the Commission to maintain specified video and audio recordings on its Web site for at least 2 years.
Sponsored by: Sen. Guy Guzzone
Unfavorable Report By Health And Government Operations Withdrawn on 02/26/2013
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Maryland 2013 Regular Session
Utility Service Protection Program - Annual Report - Deadline [HB-75]
Altering from June 1 to September 1 the date by which the Public Service Commission must report each year to the General Assembly on terminations of gas or electric service occurring during the previous heating season.
Sponsored by: Sen. Brian Feldman
Vetoed By The Governor (duplicative) on 05/16/2013