© Khumaer.us
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WBFF) — While Democrats and Republicans float ideas to address the growing energy needs in Maryland – especially with rising gas and electric bills – Attorney General Anthony Brown singed onto a letter calling on Congress to end the energy emergency implemented by President Donald Trump.
Brown signed onto a letter with several other attorneys general from around the country, calling on Congress to address the executive order issued by President Trump. “There is no energy crisis,” according to the letter from the top attorneys in the states, and President Trump “distorted the facts about America’s energy.”
However, in Maryland, not many lawmakers would say there isn’t an energy crisis. Currently, the state imports 40% of its energy needs from out of state, and the demand continues to surpass supply.
Top Democrats from both the House and Senate rolled out a package of bills aimed at producing more energy in Maryland, which supporters say, could help reduce the energy bills.
The Maryland Freedom Caucus also held an event to roll out their energy proposals, which included calling on Gov. Wes Moore to roll back the EmPOWER Act monthly fee that’s tacked onto ratepayers’ bills.
Del. Kathy Szeliga, R-Baltimore County, pushed back on Brown’s comments in the letter, arguing the message that there isn’t an energy emergency doesn’t match the reality in Maryland.
ALSO READ| Amid energy crisis, Marylanders say mounting energy bills are “unacceptable”
“It really shows that Attorney General Anthony Brown is out of touch. “It is an energy emergency,” Szeliga said. “We will never have enough renewable energy to power Maryland. It just doesn’t work; maybe in the future it will, but right now, it won’t.”
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, renewable energy provided just 14% of Maryland’s total in-state electricity in 2023; solar provided nearly half of that generation, while hydropower was responsible for two-fifths of the renewable electric generation, and wind accounted for about one-tenth.
“I’m not fully aware of the intricate details in which he objected to the executive order,” Senate President Bill Ferguson said when asked to respond to Brown’s letter. “What I know is that we need an all-of-the-above strategy, and I think one of the challenges that we are seeing at the federal level is an over-indexing toward gas and oil.”
Senator Ferguson, D-Baltimore City, said he’s most concerned with what he views as President Trump’s “full backtracking in the investments in renewable resources.” However, Ferguson noted he understands the reality of the energy landscape and the needs for more.
“Gas and oil are a part of our energy mixture, that’s the reality as much as I wish we could move off of them as quickly as possible, we have to be realistic about what we can do,” he noted.
ALSO READ| Baltimore City leaders question BGE about rising rates
In response to questions from FOX45 News, Attorney General Brown acknowledged many Marylanders’ concerns about the rising prices.
“The Trump administration is using rising energy prices to push for more fossil fuel reliance, misleading the public about an energy crisis,” Brown said via statement to FOX45 News. “Instead of embracing an ‘all of the above’ energy strategy, they’re doubling down on fossil fuels at the expense of renewables.”
“Meanwhile, Marylanders are facing high utility bills, largely due to costly infrastructure programs, and I’m pushing for legislation to tackle those rising costs directly,” the statement continued.
In early February, Brown joined state and local leaders in support of the Ratepayers Protection Act in an attempt to try and lower utility bills.
“Marylanders deserve affordable utility rates,” said Attorney General Brown during the press conference. “Utility companies must provide safe, reliable service at a price everyone can afford. If they fail to do so, the General Assembly should empower the Public Service Commission to ensure fair, reasonable costs that align with the State’s climate goals.”
While energy remains a priority for many lawmakers in Annapolis, it’s unclear what – if any – plans will make it through before the end of session.
Follow Political Reporter Mikenzie Frost on X and Facebook. Send tips to mbfrost@sbgtv.com.
Images are for reference only.Images and contents gathered automatic from google or 3rd party sources.All rights on the images and contents are with their legal original owners.
Aggregated From –
