Bill > HB1417

This bill requires the Maryland Department of General Services to establish a Clean Energy Procurement Program by January 1, 2026, in collaboration with the Maryland Green Purchasing Committee, the University System of Maryland, and the Maryland Clean Energy Center. The program's primary goal is to procure biogas (a renewable natural gas produced from organic waste) for use in the state's transportation and building sectors, with the aim of evaluating the environmental and economic benefits of replacing fossil natural gas. The department must issue a competitive sealed procurement solicitation for biogas and may enter into at least one contract to procure it, with a preference for biogas generated within Maryland. When selecting biogas, the department will consider cost-effectiveness, the social cost of greenhouse gases (a measure of the economic damages caused by carbon emissions), and the state's climate commitments. The University System of Maryland will conduct a carbon lifecycle analysis of biogas, and the program will collect data on natural gas consumption to determine biogas's potential to support climate goals. The program is contingent on biogas being competitively priced, of satisfactory quality, and readily available, and it is set to terminate on December 31, 2028. The bill will take effect on October 1, 2025, and automatically expire on June 30, 2029.

Business and Industry

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB1417?ys=2025RS