Maryland Senators Debate Utility Relief Bill to Lower Energy Costs

The Utility Reducing Energy Load Inflation for Everyday Families (RELIEF) Act aims to provide short-term, medium-term, and long-term rate relief for Maryland ratepayers.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 1:40am

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A serene, photorealistic painting of a solitary electrical substation tower standing tall against a backdrop of warm, golden sunlight and deep, dramatic shadows, conveying a sense of the quiet power and infrastructure that underpins modern energy systems.The RELIEF Act aims to provide Maryland ratepayers with much-needed relief from rising energy costs, but the debate over the bill's provisions highlights the complex challenges facing the state's energy policy.Baltimore Today

Maryland lawmakers are debating a utility relief bill called the Utility Reducing Energy Load Inflation for Everyday Families (RELIEF) Act, which would make wide-ranging changes to the state's energy policy. The bill is drawing criticism from both environmentalists and Republicans, with Democrats arguing they are doing everything in their power to lower electric bills and Republicans saying the bill doesn't go far enough.

Why it matters

Energy costs have been a significant burden for Maryland residents, and this bill aims to provide relief through a variety of program changes and adjustments. The debate highlights the competing priorities of affordability, environmental concerns, and the role of utilities and government in managing energy policy.

The details

The RELIEF Act would establish consumer transparency requirements for utilities, put policies in place to manage the growth of data centers, reduce the EmPOWER Maryland surcharge, cap the amount of executive bonus money Baltimore Gas and Electric can recoup from ratepayers, and require the Maryland Public Service Commission to study BGE's spending forecasts. The bill has been amended to require the PSC to notify property owners when powerline projects are approved in their neighborhoods.

  • The Senate bill advanced to third reader on Thursday, April 3, 2026.
  • The nearly identical House version of the bill is also on the Senate floor and will be considered on Monday, April 7, 2026.

The players

Stephen Hershey

Senate Minority Leader, R-District 36.

Justin Ready

Senate Minority Whip, R-District 5.

Katie Fry-Hester

Senate Deputy Majority Whip, D-District 9.

Brian Feldman

Senate Education, Energy and the Environment Committee Chairman, D-District 15.

J.B. Jennings

Senator, R-District 7, whose district encompasses portions of Baltimore and Harford counties.

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What they’re saying

“'$150 a year breaks down to $12.50 a month. That's what we are doing.'”

— Stephen Hershey, Senate Minority Leader, R-District 36

“'It has been called a little bit of a Frankenstein bill and it's supposed to be about relief for ratepayers. We're banking our people pay a lot more of how much (the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative) costs consumers. It is estimated it adds about $20 to $25 a month on everybody's bill.'”

— Justin Ready, Senate Minority Whip, R-District 5

“'If we were to do nothing, colleagues, the continued growth of these data centers would grow to be 32 gigawatts across the PJM area. That equates roughly to $163 billion, which could be an additional $70 per month on everybody's residential energy bill.'”

— Katie Fry-Hester, Senate Deputy Majority Whip, D-District 9

“'As amended, Senate Bill 841 addresses energy affordability by providing short-, medium- and long-term rate relief for Maryland ratepayers through a variety of program changes and adjustments.'”

— Brian Feldman, Senate Education, Energy and the Environment Committee Chairman, D-District 15

“'Nobody knew about this until it was too late.'”

— J.B. Jennings, Senator, R-District 7

What’s next

The nearly identical House version of the RELIEF Act will be considered by the Senate on Monday, April 7, 2026.

The takeaway

The debate over the RELIEF Act highlights the complex and often competing priorities of energy affordability, environmental concerns, and the role of utilities and government in managing energy policy in Maryland. The bill aims to provide short-term, medium-term, and long-term rate relief for ratepayers, but its passage faces criticism from both sides of the aisle.