Summary:

Maryland state lawmakers have passed the Clean Energy Jobs Act (CEJA), which would raise the state’s renewable portfolio standard to 50% by 2030, including a mandate that 14.5% renewable energy to come from solar energy by 2028. Environmental groups and solar organizations are hoping this translates into cleaner power for the state and more solar jobs.

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Main Article:

Climate activists and renewable energy organizations are applauding the Maryland state legislature after lawmakers approved the Clean Energy Jobs Act (CEJA), which puts the state on track to 50 percent renewable energy by 2030.

“With Governor Hogan’s signature, Maryland will join the ranks of other states taking bold steps to address climate change, while creating quality, local jobs and providing energy choice for consumers. We want to congratulate our partner organizations MDV-SEIA and Vote Solar for their tireless advocacy and work on this legislation, and are urging Governor Hogan to quickly sign the bill so that residents across the state can begin seeing the benefits of a bolstered clean energy economy,” wrote Sean Gallagher, vice president of state affairs for the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA).

Provisions of the bill

Measures S.B 516 and H.B. 1158 requires utilities to buy a certain percentage of electricity each year from renewable sources, increasing from the current target of 25% by 2020 to 50% by 2030; and examine pathways to 100% clean energy by 2040.

At least 14.5% of that renewable energy is mandated to come from solar power by 2028. That will translate into the development of solar farms and programs to incentivize the use and purchase of solar panels in homes and businesses. 

H.B. 1158 easily carried the Maryland House of Representatives with a vote of 95-40, and  S.B. 516 did the same with a vote of 31-15 in the Senate.

The measure now heads to Gov. Larry Hogan (R) for approval before May 28. If he signs it, it will become law by October 1. If he vetoes it, lawmakers will have to take it back up in January of 2020 during the next session.  

While Hogan has not spoken publicly about the measure, he has about the danger that climate change presents and has split from his party in supporting policies to decarbonize the economy of his state and the nation. However, in 2017 he vetoed an effort to increase the renewable portfolio standard for the state.

With the passage of the effort, Maryland joins a growing list of states with ambitious and significant renewable energy targets. 

Solar industry organizations expect the bill sparks economic activity in a state that lost 800 solar jobs in 2018. This, given that it requires a 14.5% carve-out for solar power.

They estimate that the Clean Energy Jobs Act will result in approximately 20,000 new solar jobs and also build Maryland’s growing offshore wind workforce, enabling 5,700 development, manufacturing and construction jobs and drive billions in direct investment in Maryland’s economy. It would also bring in approximately $247 million in federal investment tax credits in just one year.

The groups are urging Governor Hogan to join neighboring states of New Jersey, New York and the District of Columbia in expanding the clean energy standard and strengthening Maryland’s clean energy economy.