Maryland Lawmakers Pass Utility RELIEF Act on Final Day

The bipartisan legislation aims to provide $150 in annual savings on electric bills for customers.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 2:29am

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A photorealistic painting of a lone electric utility meter or power pole in soft, warm lighting, conveying a sense of quiet contemplation around energy policy decisions.The Utility RELIEF Act aims to provide direct financial relief to Maryland residents struggling with rising energy costs.Baltimore Today

On the final day of the legislative session, known as Sine Die, the Maryland House and Senate passed the Utility RELIEF Act. The bill, considered a major achievement by Governor Wes Moore and Democratic leaders, provides $150 in yearly savings on electric bills and includes other measures to address rising utility costs.

Why it matters

With many Maryland residents struggling to afford basic utilities, the Utility RELIEF Act is seen as an important step in making energy more affordable. The legislation also includes provisions to incentivize data centers to use renewable energy and prohibit utilities from passing certain costs onto ratepayers.

The details

The Utility RELIEF Act passed with bipartisan support and includes several key provisions: $150 in annual savings on electric bills, additional savings for lower-income households, incentives to expedite permits for data centers using batteries and solar power, a prohibition on utilities 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 Utility RELIEF Act was passed on April 14, 2026, the final day of Maryland's legislative session known as Sine Die.

The players

Wes Moore

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

Stephen Hershey

The Republican Senate Minority Leader who criticized the bill as doing 'very little for ratepayers'.

Bill Ferguson

The Democratic President of the Maryland Senate who said the bill takes a 'systemic approach' to energy policy.

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'.

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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

“'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

“'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, 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, House Speaker

What’s next

The Public Service Commission will study the issue of 'forecast test years' as part of the one-year moratorium included in the Utility RELIEF Act.

The takeaway

The Utility RELIEF Act represents a bipartisan compromise to address rising utility costs in Maryland, providing direct relief to ratepayers while also incentivizing renewable energy use and limiting certain utility practices. The legislation is seen as a significant achievement by the state's Democratic leadership, though some Republicans argue it does not go far enough.