Full Title: Report to the Maryland General Assembly on the Administration’s Progress Carrying out the Requirements of the Act Concerning Regulated Sustainable Energy Contract Program
Author(s): Maryland Energy Administration
Publisher(s): Maryland Energy Administration
Publication Date: December 1, 2013
Full Text: Download Resource
Description (excerpt):
Dels. Doyle Niemann (District 47, Prince George’s County) and Tom Hucker (District 20, Montgomery County) introduced H.B. 621 (cross-filed with S.B. 627, introduced by Sen. Victor Ramirez (District 47, Prince George’s County)) on February 1, 2013. H.B. 621 was approved by the General Assembly and enacted into law by Governor O’Malley on May 16. Versions of H.B. 621 were previously introduced during the 2011 and 2012 sessions of the General Assembly.
MEA supported the passage of H.B. 621 (and earlier versions) and testified in favor of the legislation. MEA also provided technical assistance to the House and Senate sponsors to work through issues and find compromises with stakeholders to facilitate passage and enactment. MEA’s work on behalf of H.B. 621 was based on an understanding of the potential of the legislation. With the authority provided by H.B. 621, MEA would have a unique opportunity to develop and implement a pilot program to explore the use of the Maryland Contract Lien Act (Section 14, Subtitle 2 of the Real Property Article) to facilitate third-party financing arrangements for energy efficiency measures and renewable energy installations. To MEA’s knowledge, the pilot and program outline envisioned in this legislation presents an opportunity unique to Maryland.
In summary, the legislation creating the Regulated Sustainable Energy Contract Program provides MEA three authorizations. Each subsequent step is based on the outcome of its precedent. First, MEA is directed to complete a study of the feasibility of a Regulated Sustainable Energy Contract Program. Second, depending on the outcome of the study, MEA is authorized to create a pilot program. And third, if the pilot proves successful, MEA is authorized to establish a program (and promulgate the necessary regulations).