Maryland Governor Unveils New Energy Plan

Governor Larry Hogan has proposed the Clean and Renewable Energy Standard (CARES) to set Maryland on a path to 100% clean electricity by 2040.  The proposal continues the Hogan administration’s commitment to affordable clean energy, addressing climate change, and greenhouse gas emissions reductions.  
The CARES plan goes beyond a proposal passed by the General Assembly in 2019.
 “Our CARES legislation is a cleaner, smarter, and cheaper plan that protects Maryland jobs,” said Governor Hogan. “CARES will deliver on the promise of 100% clean electricity by 2040. It is a balanced and bold strategy that underscores our commitment to aggressively address climate change while setting an example of strong environmental leadership.”
CARES builds upon Maryland’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) to provide a strategy for Maryland to achieve better environmental results through clean energy. It expands the eligibility of credits for clean energy resources to encourage competition and cost-effectiveness for the benefit of Maryland ratepayers. 
CARES is a key component of Maryland’s comprehensive, economy-wide strategy to achieve its climate goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by more than 40% by 2030—a goal that is substantially greater than the commitment to reduce emissions under the Paris Agreement.
CARES embraces Maryland’s clean and renewable energy resources and increases the RPS requirement of 50% by 2030 to 100% clean electricity by 2040. Key elements include:
Increasing the strategic use of zero- and low-carbon clean and renewable energy sources.
Recognizing the clean and safe aspects of nuclear energy by making new nuclear energy facilities, such as small modular reactors built utilizing developing technology, eligible for clean energy credits.
Supporting hydropower, coupled directly with maintaining environmental stewardship.
Providing incentives for carbon capture, utilization, and storage, making Maryland the first state to 
do so.
Encouraging energy-efficient combined heat and power systems by making new facilities eligible
for credit.
CARES provides the means to vastly enhance the production of low carbon and carbon-free energy in Maryland and highlights the environmental stewardship of the Hogan administration in our energy sector while providing Marylanders with affordable, reliable, and cleaner energy.
Choptank Electric Cooperative’s legislative team in Annapolis will study the CARES plan during the course of the 90-day session to identify impacts to our electric distribution business.