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Committee hears laws on planning, producer responsibility, energy credits and data center oversight
Summary
Presenters summarized several 2025 laws affecting land-use planning, producer responsibility for packaging, renewable energy and data-center rate and study requirements, and noted effective dates and county implications.
County consultants briefed the General Assembly Committee on environmental and energy legislation enacted in Maryland’s 2025 session and on bills that will affect data center development and utility regulation.
Teresa Hessler of Ashlar Government Affairs told the committee that the General Assembly passed House Bill 286 / Senate Bill 266 updating the State Economic Growth, Resource Protection and Planning Policy Principles; that law becomes effective Oct. 1, 2025. Hessler also summarized HB128 / SB149, a mandated study on the total assessed cost of greenhouse gas emissions and related reporting by the Maryland Department of the Environment.
Regarding extended producer responsibility, Hessler described HB901, which establishes Maryland’s EPR program for packaging and paper products. She said producers must submit responsibility plans by July 1, 2028; that producers may not sell covered materials in Maryland without an approved plan; and that the Department of the Environment must create a statewide list of recyclable or compostable covered materials and register service providers eligible for reimbursement under the program.
Energy legislation highlighted by presenters included the Next Generation Energy Act (SB937 / HB1035), which modifies provisions related to generation, utility cost recovery and large-customer interactions and establishes a $200 million electric bill credit program for residential customers in fiscal 2026. Hessler said those bills take effect June 1, 2025. She also discussed SB931 / HB1036, described as the Renewable Energy Certainty Act, which updates factors the Public Service Commission must consider for certificates of public convenience and necessity and expands community solar programs; presenters said the measure is effective July 2025.
Hessler described two measures specific to data centers: HB900 requires electric companies to file customized rate schedules for data center customers with the Public Service Commission, and the bill directs the Maryland Department of the Environment, the Maryland Energy Administration and the University of Maryland School of Business to analyze economic and environmental impacts of data center growth and report by Sept. 1, 2026. That study requirement and the rate-schedule filing were described as intended to improve transparency as data-center development expands.
Committee members asked about local implications of data-center growth and timeline questions about the EPR program; presenters said further details will be provided in the AGR team’s full report and that county staff will continue monitoring rulemaking and implementation schedules.
