Ch. 487

2004 LAWS OF MARYLAND

CHAPTER 487
(Senate Bill 869)

AN ACT concerning

Electricity Regulation - Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard and Credit
Trading - Maryland Renewable Energy Fund

FOR the purpose of requiring the Public Service Commission to establish renewable
energy portfolio standards for certain retail electricity sales during certain
years; requiring certain standards to be met by the accumulation of renewable
energy credits; providing for the eligibility of energy from certain sources under
certain circumstances; providing additional credit for energy from certain
sources for certain periods; limiting the credits available from certain sources
under certain circumstances; allowing certain customers persons to obtain and
apply certain credits in a certain manner; providing that certain persons who
surrender certain credits retain all rights and title to certain attributes;
requiring electricity suppliers to submit a certain report each year to the
Commission; authorizing certain electricity suppliers to demonstrate
compliance in certain manners; requiring electricity suppliers to pay certain
compliance fees under certain circumstances; providing for the recovery of
certain costs under certain circumstances; authorizing the Commission to waive
the recovery of a certain fee under certain circumstances; establishing a
Maryland Renewable Energy Fund to be administered by the Maryland Energy
Administration under Commission oversight for certain purposes; requiring the
State Treasurer and the State Comptroller to perform certain functions related
to the Fund; authorizing the Fund to be used for loans and grants to eligible
projects; limiting the amount of funds that may be used for certain
administrative expenses; requiring the Commission to review and approve
certain applications; requiring the Commission to establish and maintain a
renewable electricity trading system that includes a certain registry;
authorizing the Commission to contract with another entity for a certain
purpose; requiring the registry to provide certain information to certain persons;
authorizing the sale and transfer of renewable energy credits; establishing a
time limit for the existence of renewable energy credits; authorizing the
Commission to impose an administrative fee on certain transactions; providing
that the Commission has certain power and authority over electricity suppliers
for certain purposes; requiring the Commission to report to the General
Assembly each year on certain matters; requiring the Commission to establish a
technical advisory group for certain purposes; requiring the Commission to
adopt certain regulations by certain dates; requiring the Office of Legislative
Audits to conduct a certain performance audit of the Maryland Renewable
Energy Fund; requiring the Office to report the results of the audit to the
General Assembly by a certain date; requiring the Administration, in
cooperation with the Maryland Department of Agriculture, to enhance the
State's system of monitoring the production and volume of poultry litter for
certain purposes; requiring the Commission to provide a certain status report to
the Governor and the General Assembly on or before a certain date; requiring

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