SB 840

SENATE BILL 840
      C8, M5  6lr3527
     By: Senators West and Hester
     Introduced and read first time: February 6, 2026
     Assigned to: Education, Energy, and the Environment
  A BILL ENTITLED
1 AN ACT concerning
2 Maryland Stadium Authority – Electricity Generating Facilities – Site Planning
3 FOR the purpose of requiring the Power Plant Research Program to make certain
4      recommendations to the Governor’s Energy Subcabinet on or before a certain date;
5      requiring the Subcabinet to make a certain assessment and recommendations to the
6      Maryland Stadium Authority; requiring the Subcabinet to report certain information
7      on or before a certain date; requiring the Authority to conduct certain feasibility
8      studies and to submit certain information on or before a certain date; and generally
9      relating to siting new electricity generating facilities.
10SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND,
11 That:
12(a)   (1)     In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.
13(2)     “Authority” means the Maryland Stadium Authority.
14(3)     (i)    “Electricity generating facility” means a facility that is designed
15 to generate electricity to be supplied to the State’s electrical grid.
16(ii)    “Electricity generating facility” includes:
171.     a nuclear power facility;
182.     a hydroelectric facility;
193.     a fossil fuel powered facility;
204.     a solar generating facility;
215.     a wind generating facility; and
     EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW.
  [Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
  *sb0840*
2SENATE BILL 840
16.    a geothermal generating facility.
2(4)   “PJM region” has the meaning stated in § 1–101 of the Public Utilities
3 Article.
4(5)   “Program” means the Power Plant Research Program established under
5 § 3–303 of the Natural Resources Article.
6(6)   “Subcabinet” means the Governor’s Energy Subcabinet as established
7 by Executive Order 01.01.2025.27.
8(b)  (1)    (i)    On or before October 1, 2027, the Program shall study and make
9 recommendations to the Subcabinet for 5 to 10 sites in the State that are suitable for rapid
10 development of an electricity generating facility with a cumulative capacity of more than
11 3,000 megawatts.
12(ii)   In making recommendations, the Program shall prioritize sites
13 that would accommodate the highest generation capacity.
14(2)   In carrying out the study, the Program shall consult with:
15(i)     the Maryland Energy Administration;
16(ii)    the Department of Commerce;
17(iii)   the Department of the Environment;
18(iv)    the Department of Planning; and
19(v)     the Strategic Energy Planning Office.
20(c)   The Subcabinet shall:
21(1)   assess the Program’s recommendations; and
22(2)   recommend to the Authority the sites identified by the Program for
23 which the Authority should complete feasibility studies.
24(d)   On or before December 1, 2027, the Subcabinet shall report its findings and
25 recommendations to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State
26 Government Article, the General Assembly, the Senate Committee on Education, Energy,
27 and the Environment, and the House Environment and Transportation Committee.
28(e)   On or before June 30, 2028, the Authority shall:
  SENATE BILL 840  3
1(1)    complete a feasibility study for each site recommended by the
2 Subcabinet; and
3(2)   submit to the Legislative Policy Committee, in accordance with §
4 2–1257 of the State Government Article, and the Board of Public Works, the feasibility
5 study and a description of how the planned electricity generating facility for each planned
6 electricity generating facility:
7(i)    will provide for the needs of Marylanders, Maryland businesses,
8 hospitals, schools, and all other electricity users in the State;
9(ii) will provide electricity at reasonable prices that are comparable
10 to prices paid in surrounding states;
11(iii) is consistent with the State’s commitment to promote clean air,
12 clean water, and a clean environment; and
13(iv) will result in emissions that are lower than the average
14 emissions for the PJM region.
15SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July
16 1, 2026.