# Maryland's $200 Million 'Megawatts for Maryland' Plan Won't Lower Power Bills Soon, the State's Own Energy Director Says

Gov. Wes Moore pitched the grant program as relief. The state energy director says it is a medium- to long-term investment. Republicans call it another cost ultimately borne by ratepayers.

- Section: [Economy](https://rightnewsrightnow.com/economy/)
- Published: 2026-10-28
- By: RightNewsRightNow Staff
- Canonical page: https://rightnewsrightnow.com/articles/maryland-moore-200-million-megawatts-for-maryland-program-wont-lower-power-bills-soon-daily-caller/

Maryland's new program to bring down electricity costs will not do that right away, the Daily Caller News Foundation reports.

The program. The Maryland Energy Administration opened applications Monday for "Megawatts for Maryland," a $200 million program that pays grants to developers of renewable energy and storage projects in the state. Grants are paid only after a project starts commercial operation. Each can run from $1 million to $80 million, though the agency can raise the ceiling. Developers submit closed bids and the lowest price per megawatt-hour wins. First-stage applications are due Nov. 30, bids Jan. 22, 2027, and winners are expected in spring 2027. Projects get about seven years to come online.

The admission. Agency director Kelly Speakes-Backman called it "an investment in energy affordability for Maryland in the medium to long-term." She added: "This is not going to be something that impacts our bill tomorrow." Democratic Gov. Wes Moore said the program would "tackle rising electricity demand with cleaner, cheaper, in-state energy generation."

What the state didn't say. An agency spokesperson told the Caller the program should fund hundreds of megawatts, depending on technology and bids, and cited earlier rebates of $200 million in 2025 and $100 million under the Utility RELIEF Act. The spokesperson did not say how much a typical household would save or when. Moore's office says the program aims to add enough power for more than 150,000 homes.

Where the money comes from. Per Maryland Matters, as cited by the Caller, it comes from "alternative compliance payments" that suppliers make instead of meeting state renewable quotas. Only up to $100 million a year is drawn over two years, and the second $100 million is listed as "anticipated" for fiscal 2028. Legislative analysts wrote that more renewable power could mean fewer such payments later. State budget laws moved $489 million out of the same account to the general fund over fiscal 2025 and 2026.

The Republican response. Senate Minority Leader Steve Hershey said the administration "is announcing another $200 million government program funded through costs ultimately borne by electricity customers," and that Marylanders "shouldn't expect meaningful relief from this program anytime soon." Del. Brian Chisholm said, "Then they slap a shiny name on it like 'Megawatts for Maryland' and expect you to celebrate getting a fraction of your own money back." Moore's office says the program helps fill gaps created when the Trump administration canceled Inflation Reduction Act investment tax credits.

The grid. Maryland is in the PJM grid, which says the next capacity auction cleared at a higher cap and fell short of its reliability target as large new loads drive demand. PJM says Maryland imported about 40 percent of its power last year.

Context. Moore faces Republican Dan Cox on Nov. 3 and is the heavy favorite, per the Caller.

## Source

Original reporting: [Daily Caller News Foundation](https://dailycaller.com/2026/10/27/maryland-wes-moore-megawatts-for-maryland-power-bills-kelly-speakes-backman)