Freedom Caucus Presents Bill to Address Energy Crisis in Maryland

The Maryland Freedom Caucus has introduced a 4-part energy plan aimed at reversing harmful policies that have driven up electricity costs for Maryland families and businesses.

The plan prioritizes energy affordability, consumer choice, and common-sense reforms to state regulations that have made energy more expensive and less reliable.

Two key bills—HB1451, the Climate Solutions Affordability Act of 2025, and HB1258, the Energy Equality Act of 2025—received public hearings on March 11 before the House Environment and Transportation Committee in House Office Building, Room 250.

These bills are the only legislation introduced this session that will provide immediate relief and long-term energy reliability for Marylanders.

Legislation to Deliver Immediate Ratepayer Relief HB 1451, the Climate Solutions Afordability Act of 2025, sponsored by Delegate Brian Chisholm, addresses the pressing energy crisis impacting Marylanders.

At the heart of this crisis lies a critical imbalance between supply and demand. Over recent years, we’ve seen a significant reduction in energy supply, while demand has skyrocketed due to legislative actions, market forces, and stringent environmental regulations.

The result is clear: skyrocketing energy costs and an increasingly unreliablegrid, putting every Marylander at risk. The solution is urgent and straightforward: we must take decisive action to stabilize Maryland’s energy future. HB 1451 provides a vital lifeline to mitigate the damage before it becomes irreversible.

This bill notonly seeks to address the core issues driving the crisis, but it also includes a key amendment to immediately reduce energy costs by repealing the EmPOWER Maryland program and revising the costly and restrictive mandates of the 2022 Climate Solutions Affordability Act.

With HB 1451, we have the opportunity to correct course and secure a more affordable and reliableenergy future for all Marylanders by simply adding the commonsense language of “to the extenteconomically practicable”.

“The policies coming out of Annapolis are directly responsible for Maryland’s rising energy costs,” said Delegate Chisholm.

“The Climate Solutions Act has forced the shutdown of reliable power plants, making Maryland dependent on imported electricity and increasing utility bills.

Meanwhile, the EmPOWERprogram is nothing more than a hidden tax on ratepayers, charging families based on their energy use to subsidize others.

HB1451 provides real relief by reversing these costly policies and provides a temporary reprieve, allowing Maryland to meet its energy demands while technology catches up.”

Legislation to Protect Consumer Choice and Long-Term Energy Stability HB1258, the Energy Equality Act of 2025, sponsored by Delegate Lauren Arikan, ensures that Marylanders and businesses can continue to choose the tools, appliances, and vehicles that work best for them, rather than being forced in to restrictive government mandates.

“Marylanders should not have their vehicles, appliances, or household energy choices dictated by government mandates,” said Delegate Arikan.

“HB1258 protects consumer freedom by ensuring that Maryland does not follow California’s extreme policies, which ban certain gas-powered appliances and vehicles. Families and businesses should be able to decide what works best for their needs—not bureaucrats in Annapolis.”

“These bills are essential to lowering energy costs and giving Marylanders control over their own energy choices,” said Chisholm.

“If we do nothing, energy costs will continue to skyrocket, and Maryland familieswill bear the burden.”