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Legislators debate statewide push for electric-ready building rules and fossil-fuel limits
Summary
Multiple bills in the Environment & Transportation hearing sought to accelerate electrification and electric-ready standards for new construction and major renovations; supporters said the measures cut emissions and long-term costs, while utilities, builders and industry groups warned of grid readiness, costs and potential federal preemption.
Delegates presented multiple measures during the Environment and Transportation Committee hearing that would tighten building energy performance standards, require “electric-ready” new construction, and in some versions prohibit on-site fossil fuel use in new buildings.
Delegate Gabriel Acevedo introduced HB 212, describing it as building on Maryland’s Climate Solutions Now Act by “requiring that new constructed buildings with some exceptions meet energy demands without the use of fossil fuels” while directing the Department of Labor to adopt modifications to the International Building Code and International Energy Conservation Code. He said the bill includes guardrails to avoid diminishing affordable housing availability.
Delegate Adrian Bofa (HB 973, “Better Buildings Act”) said at-scale electrification of new buildings would accelerate emission reductions and reduce…
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