In accordance with State Government Article, §§10-130—10-139, Annotated Code of Maryland, each State agency that adopts regulations must review those regulations every 8 years, unless exempt under §10-132.1. The purpose of the review is to determine whether the regulations are necessary for the public interest, continue to be supported by statutory authority and judicial opinion, or are appropriate for amendment or repeal. The review is implemented by Executive Order 01.01.2003.20 which also sets the schedule for performing the review. The evaluation report prepared by the responsible agency is also submitted to the Administrative, Executive, and Legislative Review Committee (AELR) of the General Assembly for approval. As a part of this process, MEA is presenting draft changes to COMAR 14.26.02 Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund Programs. This coincides with efforts on the part of MEA to better align program documentation, processes, and terminology to streamline and simplify the grantmaking process and to better serve Marylanders.
On December 29, 2023, the proposed Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Program regulations were published in the Maryland Register and can be reviewed here. Comments may be sent to Landon Fahrig, Asst. Div. Dir. of Policy, Maryland Energy Administration, 1800 Washington Blvd., Suite 755, Baltimore, MD 21230, or call 410-537-4000, or email to SEIFComments.MEA@Maryland.gov. Comments will be accepted through January 29, 2024. A public hearing has not been scheduled.
Additionally, recent statutory changes require or permit MEA to adopt regulations for certain programs and operations. Specifically, the authority found under State Government Article, §9-2006 as altered by Chapter 564 of the Acts of 2022 has compelled MEA to produce draft regulations for the implementation of new efficiency standards for a host of water and electrical appliances.
On December 29, 2023, the proposed Maryland Efficiency Standards regulations for covered appliances were published in the Maryland Register and can be reviewed here. Comments may be sent to Landon Fahrig, Asst. Div. Dir. of Policy, Maryland Energy Administration, 1800 Washington Blvd., Suite 755, Baltimore, MD 21230, or call 410-537-4000, or email to
SEIFComments.MEA@Maryland.gov.
Comments will be accepted through January 29, 2024. A public hearing has not been scheduled.
MEA is also intending to repeal two regulations. Under the proposed action, COMAR 14.26.04 Clean Energy Grant Program will be repealed as the proposed Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Program regulations will cover all programs funded by the Strategic Energy Investment Fund. 14.26.06 Maryland Clean Energy Incentive Tax Credit Program would be repealed without replacement as the program is no longer in operation, causing possible confusion.
