On February 22, 2024, Executive Director Michael Sanderson testified before the House Economic Matters Committee in support of HB 579- Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity and Related Approvals- Definition of Generating Station (Critical Infrastructure Streamlining Act of 2024). The bill ensures that certain emergency generating stations do not need to obtain full Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) approval.
HB 579 is a commonsense bill as it creates a modified consideration of back-up or emergency facilities that do not properly fit into the full-time energy generation landscape, by their inherently limited intended use. Mr. Sanderson stressed that there are ample openings for public comment and community input on such projects, even if the legislation passed and removed certain considerations by the State Public Service Commission.
Several major Maryland industries require back-up generating stations, including hospitals, universities, laboratories, data centers, etc. By clarifying back-up generating stations are exempt from the CPCN process, the State will be removing unnecessary roadblocks to both public safety and economic development.
HB 579’s cross-file, SB 474, was heard on February 22, 2024 in the Senate Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee. Dominic Butchko submitted written testimony in support of this bill.
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