For Immediate Release:
April 8, 2025
Contact: Lesley Paredes, lesley.paredes-hernandez@sierraclub.org, (240) 424-0976
Annapolis, MD – Yesterday, the Maryland General Assembly voted to pass a package of energy bills which include the Next Generation Energy Act (HB 1035/SB 937), Renewable Energy Certainty Act (HB 1036/SB 931), and Energy Resource Adequacy and Planning Act (HB 1037/SB 909).
As introduced, the Next Generation Energy Act focused on deploying “dispatchable energy generation,” which would primarily include new gas generation, and establishing incentives for new nuclear generation in Maryland. The final bill that passed had been amended to include a number of constructive components from other 2025 bills, including provisions to:
- Promote new battery storage deployment, as proposed in the Abundant Affordable Clean Energy Act (HB398/SB316);
- Remove trash incineration from eligibility for subsidies through Maryland’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), as proposed in the Reclaim Renewables Act (HB220/SB10);
- Help rein in expensive investments in the gas distribution system in Maryland through important reforms found in the Ratepayer Protection Act (HB419/SB998); and
- Better protect ratepayers from electric system costs due to data centers and other large electricity users by establishing a separate rate class for these large load customers (HB900).
The legislation was also amended to reinstate important environmental reviews and processes for community input for potential projects in overburdened or underserved communities. However, the legislation passed with most of the original provisions in place to accelerate deployment of gas-fired generation and incentivize new nuclear power, both of which the Sierra Club opposes due to environmental and public health risks.
In response to the passage of the leadership energy package, Maryland Sierra Club Chapter Director Josh Tulkin has released the following statement:
“We recognize that the General Assembly was dealt a tough hand this session regarding the state’s energy challenges. We deeply appreciate the work that has gone into developing the energy package and the several positive provisions that were included in the final language.
Battery storage can be deployed quickly, help address peak load demands, and complement the development of clean energy resources, like solar and wind power. Removing unwarranted subsidies for trash incineration, a highly polluting form of energy generation, also begins to refocus Maryland’s RPS on truly clean, renewable energy, while the inclusion of STRIDE reform in the bill is a win for ratepayers.
However, the promotion of new gas-fired power generation is a mistake that takes us in the wrong direction.
Gas burning, like coal, produces harmful greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution that has major impacts on our health and contributes to global warming, running counter to state goals. Additionally, we remain concerned about state investments in new nuclear energy generation, which risk saddling ratepayers with massive costs for projects that can take decades to complete and have significant environmental risks.
At a time when we are seeing environmental rollbacks at the federal level, we are counting on Maryland to defend our environment and protect public health. We will continue to advocate for clean renewable energy, grid reliability, and reducing our reliance on fossil fuels.”
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Founded in 1892, the Sierra Club is America’s oldest and largest grassroots environmental organization. The Maryland Chapter has over 70,000 members and supporters, and the Sierra Club nationwide has approximately 620,000 members.