Utility Regulation
Maryland 2013 Regular Session
Public Utilities - Solar Photovoltaic Systems [SB-887]
[Energy ]
[Technology and Innovation ]
Requiring a person to file a specified application for approval to construct a specified generating station at least a specified time before construction commences; requiring a person who constructs a specified generating station to pay a deposit to the Public Service Commission; requiring the Commission to place specified deposits in escrow accounts; etc.
Sponsored by: Sen. Delores G Kelley
Approved By The Governor - Chapter 572 on 05/16/2013
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Gettr Maryland 2013 Regular Session
Public Safety - Gas Pipelines - Gas Leak Response [SB-864]
[Public Safety ]
[Energy ]
[Law Enforcement ]
[Environmental ]
Requiring the Public Service Commission to adopt regulations to classify specified gas leaks and to require specified gas transmission companies to remediate and monitor those leaks in a specified manner; requiring the Commission to adopt regulations to establish a specified penalty; requiring a gas transmission company to respond to a report of specified gas leaks in a specified manner; requiring a gas transmission company to receive and investigate reports of suspected leaks within a specified time frame; etc.
Sponsored by: Sen. Robert A Zirkin
Unfavorable Report By Finance on 03/25/2013
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Maryland 2013 Regular Session
Public Safety - Gas Pipelines - Implementation of Federal Pipeline Safety Laws [SB-863]
[Public Safety ]
[Energy ]
[Transportation and Motor Vehicles ]
[Law Enforcement ]
Requiring the Public Service Commission to evaluate a specified process and criteria that the U. S. Secretary of Transportation would use to review an application for the 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 the Commission to make a specified determination; etc.
Sponsored by: Sen. Robert A Zirkin
Approved By The Governor - Chapter 571 on 05/16/2013
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Maryland 2013 Regular Session
Real Property - Easements - Natural Gas Pipelines [SB-862]
[Real Estate ]
[Energy ]
[Construction ]
Requiring that an easement negotiated for the construction, operation, or maintenance of a natural gas pipeline be for a single pipeline and be limited in scope to the construction, operation, or maintenance of the pipeline; prohibiting a specified easement from authorizing the easement holder to use the easement, at a date in the future, for anything other than the construction, operation, or maintenance of the pipeline; and stating that an easement that does not meet the requirements of the Act is invalid.
Sponsored by: Sen. Robert A Zirkin
Hearing 3/19 At 1:00 P.m. on 03/19/2013
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Maryland 2013 Regular Session
Utility Companies - Removal of Lines from Utility Poles [SB-853]
[Telecommunications ]
[Energy ]
[Technology and Innovation ]
[Public Safety ]
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 R. Ramirez
Unfavorable Report By Finance Withdrawn on 03/14/2013
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Maryland 2013 Regular Session
Public Utilities - Consumer Relations - Tenant Payment of Landlord Utility Bills [SB-849]
[Consumer Protection ]
[Housing ]
[Energy ]
Authorizing a specified tenant to prevent the termination of specified utility service by applying for a new utility service account; specifying that a specified tenant may not incur liability for specified charges; requiring a specified utility service provider to establish a new utility service account for a specified tenant under specified circumstances; etc.
Sponsored by: Sen. Delores G Kelley
Approved By The Governor - Chapter 326 on 05/02/2013
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Maryland 2013 Regular Session
Gas Companies - Rate Regulation - Infrastructure Replacement Surcharge [SB-8]
[Energy ]
[Infrastructure ]
[Consumer Protection ]
[Public Safety ]
[Budget and Spending ]
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 McClain Middleton
Approved By The Governor - Chapter 161 on 05/02/2013
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Maryland 2013 Regular Session
Environment - Solid Waste Management Practices - Maryland Recycling and Landfill Diversion Task Force [SB-799]
[Environmental ]
[Waste Management / Recycling ]
Requiring each county and the Department of the Environment to adopt a specified solid waste management hierarchy; declaring the intent of the General Assembly that the State undertake specified actions relating to recycling and landfill disposal rates; establishing the Maryland Recycling and Landfill Diversion Task Force; requiring the Task Force to determine the aspirational statewide recycling goal and a recycling and landfill portfolio standard that will reduce the amount of solid waste being sent to landfills; etc.
Sponsored by: Sen. Thomas McClain Middleton
Third Reading Passed 32-15) on 04/08/2013
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Maryland 2013 Regular Session
Thermal Energy - Task Force and Regulations [SB-797]
[Energy ]
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 McClain Middleton
Approved By The Governor - Chapter 322 on 05/02/2013
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Maryland 2013 Regular Session
Agriculture - Easements - Renewable Energy Generation Facilities [SB-796]
[Agriculture ]
[Energy ]
[Real Estate ]
Requiring, on written request of a landowner in an application to purchase an easement, an easement to authorize the landowner to use the land subject to the easement for renewable energy generation under specified circumstances; requiring, on written request of a landowner, the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation to amend an easement to authorize the landowner to use the land subject to the easement for renewable energy generation under specified circumstances; etc.
Sponsored by: Sen. Thomas McClain Middleton
Hearing 3/05 At 1:00 P.m. (education, Health, And Environmental Affairs) on 03/05/2013
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Maryland 2013 Regular Session
Public Service Commission - Membership [SB-710]
[Public Safety ]
Altering the membership of the Public Service Commission.
Sponsored by: Sen. Delores G 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]
[Energy ]
[Public Safety ]
[Technology and Innovation ]
[Environmental ]
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 C. Rosapepe
Unfavorable Report By Finance on 03/27/2013
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Maryland 2013 Regular Session
Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard - Qualifying Biomass [SB-684]
[Energy ]
[Environmental ]
[Climate Change ]
Limiting the eligibility of qualifying biomass as a Tier 1 renewable source for the renewable energy portfolio standard to qualifying biomass used at a generation unit that started commercial operation on or after January 1, 2005, and that achieves a system efficiency of 65% or more; providing that before January 1, 2018, qualifying biomass used at a generation unit that started commercial operation on or before December 31, 2004, and was certified on or before December 31, 2005, is eligible as a Tier 1 renewable source; etc.
Sponsored by: Sen. William C. Ferguson
First Reading House Rules And Executive Nominations on 03/29/2013
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Maryland 2013 Regular Session
Maryland Energy Administration - Regulated Sustainable Energy Contract Program [SB-627]
[Energy ]
[Housing ]
[Consumer Protection ]
[Construction ]
[Small Business ]
[Climate Change ]
[Economic Development ]
Authorizing the Maryland Energy Administration to create a Regulated Sustainable Energy Contract Program to authorize qualified contractors to provide residential renewable energy installations and residential energy efficiency measures to residential property owners under specified regulated sustainable energy contracts; stating the intent of the General Assembly; requiring the Administration to manage, supervise, and administer a specified Program and to ensure that financing complies with specified provisions; etc.
Sponsored by: Sen. Roger P. Manno
First Reading House Rules And Executive Nominations on 04/06/2013
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Maryland 2013 Regular Session
Public Service Companies - Gas - Prohibition on Purchase from Unsafe Company [SB-606]
[Energy ]
[Public Safety ]
[Consumer Protection ]
Prohibiting a public service company from purchasing gas from a company for distribution that has not installed specified safety equipment on gas transmission lines under its ownership or control, that does not employ specified best practices and technology, or that does not comply with all applicable State and federal safety standards and reporting requirements.
Sponsored by: Sen. Robert A Zirkin
Hearing 3/12 At 1:00 P.m. on 03/12/2013
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Maryland 2013 Regular Session
Public Safety - Gas Pipelines - Emergency Response Planning [SB-605]
[Public Safety ]
[Energy ]
[Law Enforcement ]
[Disaster Relief ]
[Transportation and Motor Vehicles ]
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 A Zirkin
Unfavorable Report By Finance on 03/25/2013
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Maryland 2013 Regular Session
Public Safety - Gas Pipelines - Construction Requirements [SB-604]
[Public Safety ]
[Energy ]
[Construction ]
[Law Enforcement ]
[Transportation and Motor Vehicles ]
Prohibiting a gas transmission company from beginning construction on a gas pipeline before the finalization of specified legal proceedings, including approval by the Board of Public Works, permit and license applications, condemnation proceedings, easement negotiations, and appeals to specified judgments and determinations.
Sponsored by: Sen. Robert A 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]
[Public Safety ]
[Energy ]
[Law Enforcement ]
[Consumer Protection ]
[Infrastructure ]
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 A 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]
[Public Safety ]
[Energy ]
[Technology and Innovation ]
[Infrastructure ]
[Transportation and Motor Vehicles ]
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 A Zirkin
Unfavorable Report By Finance on 03/25/2013
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Maryland 2013 Regular Session
Electric Companies - Rate Adjustment to Recover Profits Lost During Service Disruption - Prohibition [SB-467]
[Energy ]
[Consumer Protection ]
[Public Safety ]
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 C. Rosapepe
Hearing 2/12 At 1:00 P.m. on 02/12/2013