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Electric System Planning Work Group Meetings Scheduled
On August 17, 2026 a Maryland PSC Advisor filed an Electric System Planning Work Group (ESPWG) technical conference hearing agenda.
On August 18, 2026 the Commission issued an errata to its July 10, 2026 order directing utilities to respond to MEA questions included in its petition for adoption of a unified cost control and grid optimization regulatory strategy.
ESP technical conferences are scheduled for August 26-28th.
Utility responses to questions and party comments on MEA’s unified cost control and grid optimization regulatory strategy proposal due by September 8, 2026.
As background, the Commission initiated this proceeding to facilitate the Electric System Planning Work Group (ESPWG), formerly the Distribution System Planning Work Group (DSPWG), in response to recommendations contained in the final report of the Task Force on Comprehensive Electricity Planning. The initial focus of the effort was on grid resilience and integration of distributed generation resources and has shifted to electric system planning.
Among other things the DSPWG is charged with (1) reviewing the Jade Process Map (which describes an idealized electricity distribution planning process for the hypothetical state of Jade, a deregulated state located within a federally regulated market) and considering its relevance and application to Maryland’s electric utilities; (2) developing and proposing any changes to the map to “best align with Maryland’s public policy goals and existing processes, including interactions with existing dockets concerning electric reliability, EmPOWER, and other PC44 activities; and (3) considering possible processes for stakeholder input on utility-proposed Performance Incentive Mechanisms.
