Maryland Governor Wes Moore announced the Lower Bills and Local Power Act as part of the Moore-Miller Administration’s 2026 legislative agenda, outlining proposals intended to reduce energy costs and improve grid reliability statewide.
The legislation would mobilize nearly $200 million from the Strategic Energy Investment Fund to provide utility bill rebates, modernize transmission infrastructure, and support local clean energy generation, with about $100 million set aside for a new round of rebates for Maryland households later this year.
The proposal also includes requirements for utilities to prioritize advanced grid technologies before constructing new transmission lines, funding for identifying transmission and battery storage opportunities along state highways, and the creation of a financing program to support solar and energy storage projects. In addition, the bill would eliminate certain utility profit incentives and require utilities to participate in regional grid planning through PJM Interconnection, steps supporters say are intended to improve accountability, strengthen the electric grid, and lower long-term costs for ratepayers.
