HARRY HUGHES, Governor

2019

INCREASE THE FINANCIAL RESOURCES WHICH REMAIN WITHIN THE
STATE TO SUPPORT JOBS AND ECONOMIC ACTIVITY WITHIN THE
MARYLAND ECONOMY;

(3)  REDUCING THE STATE'S CONSUMPTION OF ENERGY
CAN LESSEN THE ADVERSE ECONOMIC IMPACTS ON ITS CITIZENS
CAUSED BY RISING ENERGY PRICES, CAN REDUCE THE CONSUMPTION
OF DEPLETABLE RESOURCES WHICH HAVE OTHER BENEFICIAL USES,
AND. CAN REDUCE ADVERSE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS FROM THE
UTILIZATION OF ENERGY SOURCES;

(4)  FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE
OF MARYLAND AND IN THE INTEREST OF IMPROVING THEIR COMMERCE,
WELFARE, AND PROSPERITY, IT IS NECESSARY AND APPROPRIATE FOR
THE STATE OF MARYLAND TO MAINTAIN OR INSTITUTE ALL
REASONABLE MEASURES TO INCREASE THE SUPPLY OF ENERGY AND TO
REDUCE THE DEMAND FOR ENERGY;

(5)  FINANCING THROUGH CONVENTIONAL, PRIVATE
SOURCES IS NOT AVAILABLE ON TERMS AND CONDITIONS THAT
PROVIDE ADEQUATE INCENTIVES FOR PROMOTING URGENTLY NEEDED
INVESTMENT IN ENERGY PROJECTS;

(6)  THE PROVISION OF ADEQUATE SUPPLIES OF ENERGY
TO THE CITIZENS OF MARYLAND CAN BE ENHANCED BY THE
ESTABLISHMENT OF PROGRAMS OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AS
INCENTIVES TO PROMOTE ENERGY CONSERVATION AND THE
DEVELOPMENT OF ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF ENERGY SUPPLY;

(7)  THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS ENACTED
LEGISLATION, IN PARTICULAR THE ENERGY SECURITY ACT, P.L.
96-294, WHICH ESTABLISHES SUBSTANTIAL PROGRAMS FOR PROVIDING
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, THROUGH SUCH MEANS AS LOANS, LOAN
GUARANTEES, AND GRANTS, FOR ENERGY CONSERVATION AND THE
DEVELOPMENT OF ENERGY SOURCES INCLUDING COAL, BIOMASS,
MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE, SOLAR ENERGY, HYDROPOWER, AND
GEOTHERMAL ENERGY.

(B) THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY THEREFORE DECLARES THAT THE
PUBLIC INTEREST IS SERVED BY THE CREATION OF A STATE ENTITY

WITH THE AUTHORITY AND PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY FOR

ESTABLISHING AND CARRYING OUT PROGRAMS PROVIDING VARIOUS
FORMS OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AS INCENTIVES TO THE CITIZENS
OF MARYLAND FOR ENERGY PROJECTS IN A MANNER WHICH UTILIZES,

WHEN APPROPRIATE, RELATED EXISTING STATE PROGRAMS,

PARTICULARLY THE COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

FINANCING PROGRAMS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AND

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, AND WHICH TAKES TAKE MAXIMUM
ADVANTAGE OF THE ENERGY FINANCING PROGRAMS ESTABLISHED UNDER
FEDERAL INITIATIVES.

13.102. 518.

(A) IN THIS TITLE SUBTITLE, UNLESS THE CONTEXT CLEARLY
REQUIRES OTHERWISE, THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANING
INDICATED.