Current:Home > Contact-usMaryland Senate OKs consumer protection bill for residential energy customers-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
Maryland Senate OKs consumer protection bill for residential energy customers
View Date:2024-12-23 16:32:16
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Maryland would create consumer protections for residential customers who opt to buy electricity from retail energy suppliers, under a bill approved by the state Senate on Friday, though critics say it will hurt competition and chase energy companies out of Maryland.
The Senate voted 33-14 for the bill, sending it to the Maryland House, where a similar bill has been introduced.
Maryland deregulated its energy market about 25 years ago in response to high energy bills, but supporters of the legislation say that failed to lower prices.
Sen. Malcolm Augustine, who sponsored the bill, said the measure is needed to protect residential customers from deceptive practices by some suppliers, who send people door-to-door teasing lower energy rates that lock people into complicated agreements leading to higher prices, particularly in low-income areas.
About 300,000 Maryland energy customers pay roughly $150 million more on their energy bills under the contracts in 2022, Augustine said.
The bill would put a price cap in place that is designed to prevent residential customers from being charged above a standard offer of service, which would use a 12-month average to determine the price. Opponents contend the measure ultimately amounts to reregulating the energy market, but Augustine said the bill is designed to prevent energy suppliers from taking advantage of customers.
“The thing is, it’s still an open market,” Augustine, a Prince George’s County Democrat, told reporters Friday morning before the bill passed. “If you can save folks money, we’re all for that.”
But opponents argued that the measure will hurt customer choice and increase prices. Sen. Steve Hershey, an Eastern Shore Republican, said the measure will chase companies out of the state.
“They’re going to be gone from the state of Maryland, because they’re not going to be figure out why they have to abide to some 12-month trailing average and why they have to be less than (standard offer of service),” Hershey said.
The bill also includes provisions for a green energy market. It would allow for flexibility for higher prices, if people decide to use green energy, Augustine said. However, the senator said the bill includes a guardrail that puts state regulators at the Public Service Commission in an oversight role.
“They’re going to make sure that they’re fair,” Augustine said.
The measures also includes licensing and accountability provisions for people who sell electricity.
“We strengthen penalties,” Augustine said. “We have training to make sure folks know what they’re doing. We have a strong education component, and reporting that makes sure that we have this robust open market, but it’s a place where Marylanders are treated fairly.”
veryGood! (853)
Related
- Mississippi woman pleads guilty to stealing Social Security funds
- Sandy Hook families offer to settle Alex Jones' $1.5 billion legal debt for at least $85 million
- Florida elections security chief lay dead for 24 minutes without help outside Gov. DeSantis' office
- A Florida woman attempted to eat fake money as she was placed under arrest, police say
- Will Trump’s hush money conviction stand? A judge will rule on the president-elect’s immunity claim
- Missing U.S. airman is accounted for 79 years after bomber Queen Marlene shot down in France
- Southern California mother charged with drowning 9-year-old daughter in bathtub
- Could selling Taylor Swift merchandise open you up to a trademark infringement lawsuit?
- 'Joker 2' actor pans DC sequel as the 'worst film' ever: 'It has no plot'
- Savannah Guthrie announces 'very personal' faith-based book 'Mostly What God Does'
Ranking
- Mattel says it ‘deeply’ regrets misprint on ‘Wicked’ dolls packaging that links to porn site
- Four miners die in Poland when pipeline filled with water ruptures deep below ground
- LGBTQ+ rights group sues over Iowa law banning school library books, gender identity discussion
- Where is parking most expensive? New study shows cheapest, priciest US cities to park in
- Flurry of contract deals come as railroads, unions see Trump’s election looming over talks
- Video shows driver collide with parked car, sending cars crashing into Massachusetts store
- Why You Still Need Sunscreen in Winter, According to a Dermatologist
- 'Remarkable': Gumby the kitten with deformed legs is looking for forever home
Recommendation
-
Texas’ 90,000 DACA recipients can sign up for Affordable Care Act coverage — for now
-
Ohio Supreme Court dismisses 3 long-running redistricting lawsuits against state legislative maps
-
Video shows driver collide with parked car, sending cars crashing into Massachusetts store
-
Texas women who could not get abortions despite health risks take challenge to state’s Supreme Court
-
A growing and aging population is forcing Texas counties to seek state EMS funding
-
Michigan to join state-level effort to regulate AI political ads as federal legislation pends
-
Ex-South Carolina lawyer Alex Murdaugh sentenced to 27 years for financial, drug crimes
-
Meet 'Samba': The vape-sniffing K9 dog in Florida schools used to crack down on vaping