As a member of the Education, Energy, and the Environment (EEE) Committee, I have worked to address one of the most pressing challenges for Maryland families: the rising cost of energy.  Marylanders deserve reliable, affordable energy systems that are prepared for the future.  I’ve worked to lower utility bills, strengthen oversight of utility spending, expand clean energy generation, and modernize our electric grid, ensuring Maryland is prepared for emerging challenges like data centers.

Energy affordability is increasingly shaped by decisions made at PJM, the regional grid operator serving Maryland, DC, and 12 other states.  In 2025, I founded the PJM State Legislators’ Collaborative, a bipartisan coalition of over 60 lawmakers from 13 states and DC.  Together, we advocate for lower costs, greater transparency, improved grid planning, and stronger accountability for large energy users such as data centers.  By spearheading this initiative, I am fighting to keep Maryland families from paying for increased costs driven by unprecedented growth in electricity demand and PJM activity across the grid.

In general, I support policies to:

• Keep energy affordable and reliable for Maryland families,
• Strengthen oversight and accountability for utility spending and major infrastructure investments,
• Strengthen guardrails for data centers who drive increased demand for electricity and ensure they pay for the costs they create
• Modernize Maryland’s electric grid and improve long-term planning for reliability and affordability,
• Expand clean energy generation, including renewable energy and energy storage, 
• Increase transparency and accountability in regional energy markets, and
• Leverage innovative energy ideas as a tool for economic development.  

Legislation I have passed includes:

HB1532 – Utility RELIEF (Reducing Energy Load Inflation for Everyday Families) Act (2026):

Provides immediate relief to ratepayers while addressing long-term costs and improving accountability across Maryland’s energy system.  Reduces annual bills by more than $150 on average from the limited portion of costs within Maryland’s control.  Requires greater State oversight of federally approved projects totaling $3.5 billion in actual and projected spending.  Caps what utilities can recover for supervisory pay (pulled from my bill, SB2).  Invests $100 million to bring new in-state clean generation online as quickly as possible.  Streamlines existing energy assistance programs while supporting the State’s new Limited Income Mechanism, which could save eligible low-income households up to $1,400 annually.  

**HB 1532 – Data Center Amendment to the Utility RELIEF Act (2026) 

I authored a major amendment addressing the growing impact of data centers on Maryland’s electric system.  The amendment ensures that customers driving new demand are responsible for the costs they create, rather than shifting those costs onto Maryland families and small businesses.  It establishes a first-in-the-nation large load registry to improve transparency and planning by requiring data centers to provide key project details upfront, helping prevent speculative projects from distorting forecasts and driving unnecessary infrastructure costs.  It also creates voluntary clean capacity tiers to incentivize data centers to bring their own clean energy and storage, reducing strain on the grid.  

**SB0909/HB1037 – Energy Resource Adequacy and Planning Act (2025)

Establishes the Strategic Energy Planning Office (SEPO) to lead Maryland’s long-term planning for electricity supply, reliability, and energy infrastructure.  SEPO will develop a comprehensive assessment of risks to Maryland’s wholesale energy markets and bulk power system and coordinate with other state agencies to better anticipate future energy needs.  

**SB0570/HB0397 — Working for Accessible Renewable Maryland Thermal Heat (WARMTH) Act (2024)

Establishes a framework for developing thermal energy networks by requiring larger gas companies to develop pilot projects and submit proposals to the Public Service Commission.  Thermal energy networks use shared sources, such as geothermal and waste heat, to provide heating and cooling to multiple buildings.

**SB0781/HB0793 — Promoting Offshore Wind Energy Resources (POWER) Act (2023)

Requires the State to take steps to develop 8,500 megawatts of offshore wind capacity by 2031, making offshore wind a major component of Maryland’s clean-energy strategy.  Under the POWER Act, the State will pursue additional offshore wind procurements, address associated transmission and grid infrastructure needs, and procure community benefit agreements for qualifying projects, ensuring affected communities receive economic and workforce benefits.

**SB0516/HB1158 Clean Energy Jobs Act (2019) 

Increases Maryland’s use of renewable energy sources & provides significant funding for workforce development initiatives in wind and solar energy.

(**Denotes Legislation I Sponsored)