Ch. 101

2003 LAWS OF MARYLAND

(b) (1) The Commission shall evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the
investments by electric companies in energy conservation to reduce electrical demand
and in renewable energy sources to help meet electrical demand.

(2) The evaluation of investments shall include:

(i) the electric companies' promotion and conduct of a building
audit and weatherization program, including low-interest or no-interest electric
company financing for the installation of energy conservation materials and
renewable energy devices;

(ii) utilization of renewable energy sources;

(iii) promotion and utilization of electricity from cogeneration and
wastes; and

(iv) widespread public promotion of energy conservation programs.
7-203.

(a)     (1) The Commission shall:

(i) impose an environmental surcharge per kilowatt hour of
electricity distributed to retail electric customers within the State; and

(ii) authorize each electric company to add the full amount of the
surcharge to its customers' bills.

(2) To the extent that an electric company fails to collect the surcharge
from its customers, the amount uncollected shall be deemed a cost of power
distribution and allowed and computed as such together with other allowable
expenses for purposes of rate-making.

(b)     (1) The Comptroller shall collect the revenue from the surcharge
imposed under subsection (a) of this section and place the revenue into a special fund,
the Environmental Trust Fund.

(2) The Comptroller shall maintain the method of collection of the
surcharge from each electric company, and the money collected shall accrue to the
Fund.

(c)      (1) Each fiscal year, the Secretary of Natural Resources shall coordinate
the preparation of the annual budget required to carry out the provisions of the Power
Plant Research Program under Title 3, Subtitle 3 of the Natural Resources Article.

(2) Each fiscal year, on approval of the annual budget by the General
Assembly for the Power Plant Research Program, the Commission shall establish the
amount of the environmental surcharge per kilowatt hour of electric energy
distributed in the State that is to be imposed on each electric company in accordance
with subsection (a) of this section.

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