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House overrides veto on energy resource adequacy study after split floor debate
Summary
The House voted 96-39 to override the veto of House Bill 1037, a measure establishing energy resource adequacy and planning processes; lawmakers disagreed over potential costs and whether the study would aid ratepayers.
Annapolis — The Maryland House of Delegates voted 96-39 on Dec. 16 to override the governor’s veto of House Bill 1037, which sets up an energy resource adequacy and planning process intended to inform the state’s approach to electricity supply.
Proponents said the measure would provide a statewide forecasting mechanism and periodic reports to ensure Maryland is prepared for rising demand, including from data centers and other large users. One delegate argued the work would amount to “at worst, 10¢ a month for the average residential customer” and would equip lawmakers to avoid being caught off guard by transmission projects and new loads.
Opponents focused on projected costs and the bill’s scope. A lawmaker warned the measure could impose roughly $30 million over five years on ratepayers and criticized the bill’s stakeholder composition, saying it omitted certain industry representatives. “If this is truly about energy resource adequacy and planning, then there would be a few more players in the game,” the delegate said.
After debate about generation closures, regional power markets and whether the study would help lower bills, the House completed a roll-call vote and sent notice of the override to the Senate.
Next steps: The House sent the message to the Senate. Implementation details, including report cadence and exact cost estimates, will be set in bill language and follow-up committee work.
