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House rejects multiple amendments to Next Generation Energy Act after hours of debate
Summary
The Maryland House spent hours debating House Bill 1532 (Next Generation Energy Act), rejecting floor amendments to repeal RGGI, add nuclear/SMRs to Tier 1, impose a data‑center moratorium, and eliminate the Empower surcharge; sponsors said the bill balances affordability and long‑term reliability.
The Maryland House of Delegates spent much of its March 16 floor session debating and voting on amendments to the Next Generation Energy Act (House Bill 15 32). The bill—moved by the environment and transportation committee—contains a package of changes intended to address electricity rates, grid reliability and future generation planning.
The most contested proposal on the floor was an amendment offered by the delegate from Cecil County (S29) that would have repealed Maryland’s statutory constraints around the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) and prevented reenrollment. S29 argued the amendment was necessary because RGGI raises costs and hinders new generation, saying, “We need more generation facilities in Maryland,” and warning that the program’s auction costs made expansion cost‑prohibitive for some plants. Opponents said RGGI proceeds fund energy efficiency and low‑income assistance and cited independent studies showing RGGI…
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