Maryland Office of the People`s Counsel

The meeting focused on key discussions, including welcoming new members and contextualizing recent developments in the EV landscape. Public comments addressed concerns regarding the unreliability of statewide charging infrastructure, issues with out-of-service chargers, consumer recourse for faulty chargers, and impacts of the new EVSE registration program on service delivery. A major topic was the future of ZEEVIC, specifically discussing House bill HB 0451 regarding the extension of the council's sunset date past June 30, 2026, which received stakeholder support for continuation and collaboration. Updates were provided by the Maryland Department of Agriculture on the revised EVSE registration program, including fee determination and enforcement processes. The Maryland Department of the Environment reported on the final report preparation for the ACC II/ACT Workgroup and discussed the MDE's Advanced Clean Trucks Act Needs Assessment and Deployment Plan. Finally, updates were given on NEVI program status and other state agency initiatives.

The meeting agenda focused heavily on electric vehicle initiatives. Key discussions included the future direction of ZEEVIC, an update on the MDA EVSE Registration and Certification Program, and a report from the Maryland ACC-II/ACT Workgroup. Specific attention was given to the Maryland Zero Emission Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Council (ZEEVIC) sunset extension proposal (HB 0451). The MDA presented details on the EVSE registration fee structure, inspection standards based on NIST Handbook 44, response to consumer complaints, and the extended registration period deadline. Furthermore, the MDE presented findings from the ACT Needs Assessment Study, covering infrastructure demands, recommended station deployment, necessary purchase incentives, and the timeline for transitioning the state vehicle fleet to zero-emission vehicles. State agency announcements included updates on various grant programs and a recap of the first NEVI Stations ribbon-cutting events in December 2025.

The meeting agenda included updates on financials and programs, as well as internal updates concerning staffing and process improvement. Key discussion points involved the introduction of the new acting director of MEA, Ian Olman. Process improvement efforts were detailed, focusing on the myMEA online application portal designed to streamline grant administration efficiency, reduce administrative burden, and accelerate payment delivery. Financial updates covered the funding sources for the SEF, primarily the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) and Alternative Compliance Payments (ACP), with acknowledgement of revenue fluctuations. Program highlights included updates on Community Solar, clean transportation initiatives like NEVI chargers, energy efficiency programs targeting limited-income Marylanders, and the launch of the FY26 program for electric vehicle charging infrastructure, including programs for multi-family housing and medium/heavy-duty vehicles. Additionally, updates were provided on the ELJAM program offering financial assistance to local governments for solar and energy efficiency.

This document, titled 'Future of Gas 101,' provides an analysis of how states can strategically shape natural gas policy to manage infrastructure and mitigate rate increases. It outlines key policy actions, including revising gas line extension policies, promoting customer incentives for electrification, evaluating procurement strategies, addressing the marketing of natural gas, and reducing barriers to customer electrification. The analysis highlights the financial impacts of system expansion spending and projects significant savings for utilities like BGE and WGL by implementing these policy changes, thereby aiming to avoid future rate increases.

The hearing addresses concerns about rising BGE bills and the impact on residents. Discussions cover the reasons for increased rates, including infrastructure investments, supply and demand, and the transition to electric appliances. Strategies for managing energy costs, such as energy assistance programs and energy efficiency measures, are explored. The hearing also touches on the regulatory and business aspects of utility operations, including rate-making processes and the relationship between spending and profits.