PSC Begins Process To Implement New Law Allowing Opt-out Municipal Aggregation Pilot

The Maryland PSC has initiated Public Conference 54 ('PC 54') to implement certain requirements under House Bill 768 ('HB768'), enacted during the 2021 Maryland legislative session and establishing the Montgomery County Community Aggregation Pilot Program.

The purpose of convening PC 54 is to establish a Community Choice Work Group in accordance with HB768, which is codified under Public Utilities Article ('PUA') § 7-510.3, and to receive comments and inquiries related to the Work Group.

HB768 authorizes only Montgomery County to conduct an opt-out electricity municipal aggregation pilot, to be formed no earlier than December 31, 2023

Montgomery County's aggregation plan is subject to PSC review and approval

HB768 provides that the pilot shall not end sooner than April 1, 2031

HB768 requires creation of a workgroup to make recommendations to the PSC in implementing the law

HB768 requires that workgroup membership shall consist of at least the following members:

(I) one representative of the Montgomery County government;

(II) one representative of the Office of people’s Counsel;

(III) one representative of each investor–owned electric company whose service territory includes all or part of a county that participates in the pilot program;

(IV) one representative of any competitive electricity supplier;

(V) one representative of residential and small commercial electric customers;

(VI) one representative of low–income communities;

(VII) one representative of minority residential communities;

(VIII) one representative with expertise in implementing community choice aggregation programs; and

(IX) any other individuals identified by the Commission

The Commission will establish the Work Group no later than September 1, 2021.

The PSC invited public comments on the Work Group, including any recommendations for Work Group composition, by August 13, 2021