Maryland Utility RELIEF Act Passes on Final Legislative Day

Bipartisan bill provides $150 annual savings on electric bills and other energy policy changes

Apr. 13, 2026 at 11:17pm

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The Maryland House and Senate have passed the Utility RELIEF Act on the final day of the legislative session, known as Sine Die. The bill, considered a major achievement by Democratic leaders including Governor Wes Moore, provides $150 in yearly savings on customers' electric bills and includes other energy policy changes such as incentives for data centers using renewable power and prohibitions on passing certain utility fees to ratepayers.

Why it matters

The Utility RELIEF Act is seen as a significant step forward in making energy more affordable for Maryland residents, particularly lower-income households, at a time of rising utility costs. The bipartisan support for the legislation also demonstrates a willingness to compromise on important policy issues.

The details

The Utility RELIEF Act includes several key provisions, such as $150 in annual savings on electric bills, expedited permitting for data centers using renewable energy, a prohibition on passing PJM membership fees to ratepayers, and a one-year moratorium on 'forecast test years' that allow utilities to seek multi-year rate increases. The bill also requires utility executive bonuses over $285,000 to be paid by shareholders rather than ratepayers.

  • The Maryland General Assembly passed the Utility RELIEF Act on April 13, 2026, the final day of the legislative session known as Sine Die.
  • Governor Wes Moore is expected to sign the bill into law.

The players

Wes Moore

The Democratic governor of Maryland who considers the Utility RELIEF Act a major achievement of the legislative session.

Bill Ferguson

The Democratic president of the Maryland Senate, who stated the bill takes a 'systemic approach' to energy policy changes to provide relief for residents.

Joseline Peña-Melnyk

The Democratic speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates, who expressed gratitude that the bill 'gets the job done for families that are desperate for relief.'

Stephen Hershey

The Republican Senate minority leader, who criticized the bill as doing 'very little for ratepayers.'

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What they’re saying

“'We have spent the past weeks staying laser focused on making life more affordable for the people of Maryland.'”

— Wes Moore, Governor

“'The Utility RELIEF Act takes a systemic approach to the levers available to the state of Maryland and makes immense policy changes in those areas. So, none of our residents are forced to choose between keeping the lights on and paying for their medication.'”

— Bill Ferguson, Maryland Senate President

“'I am so grateful that I can stand here today, on the last day of the session, and say that we now have a bill that gets the job done for families that are desperate for relief.'”

— Joseline Peña-Melnyk, Maryland House Speaker

“'They've taken 90 days to push through a policy that does very little for ratepayers. They should be ashamed of themselves.'”

— Stephen Hershey, Senate Minority Leader

What’s next

Governor Wes Moore is expected to sign the Utility RELIEF Act into law in the coming days.

The takeaway

The bipartisan passage of the Utility RELIEF Act on the final day of the Maryland legislative session demonstrates a willingness to compromise on important energy policy issues and provide meaningful relief to residents struggling with rising utility costs.