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Hearing Scheduled on Maryland Data Center Bill
SB992 has been introduced in Maryland that among other things would create a regulatory framework for very large load electricity customers, particularly data centers, seeking to connect to the state’s electric grid.
A Senate Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee hearing is scheduled for March 12, 2026.
If adopted this bill would set significant new requirements for data center interconnection in Maryland, with implications at the wholesale and retail levels as well as across rate classes.
The bill requires any “large load customer” to register with the Maryland Public Service Commission before interconnecting and to provide detailed information about the project, including site control, expected electricity demand, backup generation plans, water usage, and financial commitments related to required transmission infrastructure.
The bill also directs the Maryland PSC to establish a demand response program for large load customers, requires that costs associated with new generation capacity or PJM reliability actions triggered by these large loads be assigned to the large load customers rather than socialized across other rate classes, and puts conditions on tax incentives and exemptions for data centers.
On March 5th the bill was Re-referred to Senate Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee.
