As reported by the Baltimore Business Journal, Governor O’Malley signed an executive order on July 23 calling for a study of the State’s long-term electricity needs.

The Executive Order was developed by DNR in cooperation with the Public Service Commission, the Maryland Department of the Environment and the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA). The report, which will be prepared by DNR’s Power Plant Assessment Program, will assess future electric energy use requirements and peak electric demand requirements, and identify sources and alternative resources to meet any gaps in these requirements through the end of calendar year 2030.

The report will be completed by December 2011 and will be paid for over two fiscal years using existing funds within the Power Plant Assessment Program.