Maryland has two big, pressing problems with its energy system: the state relies on energy produced elsewhere to address ballooning demand, and the steep increases in consumers’ utility bills are only expected to get worse. The solution, top lawmakers said Monday, is building more power plants. How exactly top lawmakers hope to encourage development of new power sources isn’t clear. Asked how the state would proceed if energy companies don’t act on Maryland’s invitation to build here, Senate President Bill Ferguson said that’s the point. “Hopefully we don’t have to deal with that,” he said. “That’s why we’re passing the bill.”
Importing our way to green: Although the state’s natural gas generation has tripled since 2015 and accounted for just over 40 percent of the state’s electricity in 2023, according the U.S. Energy Information Administration, our state imports approximately 40 percent of its electricity overall. Acting under ambitious plans to reduce that state’s non-green power sources, we are simply sourcing energy that derives from those very sources in surrounding areas.
