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Committee fast-tracks bill to let county form community choice aggregator under DEP
Summary
The Transportation & Environment Committee granted an expedited hearing for Bill 27-25 to create a community choice aggregation (CCA) pilot run by the Department of Environmental Protection; staff proposed technical amendments to align terminology with Maryland law and members noted the program will be an opt-out model under state statute.
The Montgomery County Transportation & Environment Committee voted unanimously to grant an expedited hearing to Bill 27-25, which would authorize the county Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to establish a community choice aggregation (CCA) pilot for residential and small commercial electric customers.
Council President Stewart, the bill sponsor, said the local ordinance implements the authority granted by the General Assembly through HB 768 (2021) and would allow the county CCA to offer electricity with renewable content above state renewable portfolio standard minimums while prioritizing sustainability, cost-efficiency and predictability. "This is the next step in this process," Stewart said, thanking delegates and public participants who supported the bill through the Public Service Commission review.
Council staff summarized public outreach and impact statements, saying the fiscal, climate and equity assessments were positive and that public testimony was broadly supportive except for the Apartment and Office Building Association, which raised concerns about impacts on some members. Staff recommended two technical amendments: replace the phrase "electricity supplier" with statutory language that reflects the distinct legal roles under the Public Utilities Article, and broaden a statutory citation so the CCA may access the full suite of mechanisms available under state law (staff referenced Maryland code section 7,703 and the broader statutory scheme).
DEP staff reiterated that the state statute establishes CCA programs as opt-out, meaning customers will be automatically included unless they opt out, and emphasized obligations to notify and educate customers. Council staff said the county’s aggregation plan will address procedural details and that the Public Service Commission will weigh in on notices and protections.
The committee granted an expedited hearing by unanimous hand vote and staff will return the bill with the technical clarifications for further consideration and public notice.
