Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson, along with other legislative leaders, announced a package of bills aimed at lowering electricity costs for Marylanders. While Ferguson admitted the measures would provide minimal short-term relief, he expressed optimism that the bills would eventually overhaul the state’s energy landscape, increase energy production, and lower utility bills in the long run.
In the midst of these discussions, a group of elected officials, consumer advocates, and environmentalists gathered to push for legislation to scale back the STRIDE program, which aims to incentivize gas infrastructure maintenance and repair. Critics argue that unnecessary costs are being added to consumers’ bills, especially as the state moves toward clean energy.
Del. Elizabeth Embry is sponsoring legislation to restrict the type of infrastructure work funded by STRIDE, with support from Attorney General Anthony Brown and others. David Lapp of the Office of People’s Counsel emphasized the importance of reforming STRIDE to address rising utility bills.
Embry’s bill will be heard in the House Economic Matters Committee, along with other legislation to expand clean energy production. Overall, the push for energy reform in Maryland is gaining momentum as utility prices continue to rise.
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