February 20, 2026 –  Press Release from Maryland Senate Republican Caucus

Annapolis, Md. — With Maryland families facing sustained high electricity costs, growing grid reliability concerns, and increasing pressure on agricultural and preservation lands, Senate Republicans today previewed their 2026 Energy Package — a coordinated legislative effort that will lower rates, strengthen long-term energy planning, protect farmland, and correct policies that have contributed to Maryland’s current energy crisis.

Several of the bills in the package will be heard today in the Senate Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee.

“Addressing rising energy costs has been an all-hands-on-deck effort for our caucus,”
said Senate Minority Leader Steve Hershey. “A majority of our members have stepped
forward with serious, substantive legislation that tackles the root causes of Maryland’s
energy challenges. This package reflects months of work to deliver structural reform and permanent relief for Maryland ratepayers.”

Senate Minority Whip Justin Ready added, “Mailing out a one-time $40 rebate —
essentially giving Marylanders back a small portion of what they were overcharged — is
not progress. Real relief means lowering the monthly bill, not issuing a refund after the
damage is done. Families don’t want temporary credits they want lower monthly bills.
That means fixing the policies that are driving up costs in the first place.”

A Coordinated Energy Reset
Together, these bills increase transparency and strategic planning, reduce compliance-driven cost layering, moderate monthly surcharge impacts, protect residential ratepayers, strengthen grid reliability and support responsible economic growth.

Additional legislation may be incorporated into the Senate Republican Energy Package as the 2026 session progresses, as caucus members continue advancing reforms focused on affordability, accountability, and reliability.

“Marylanders deserve structural reform — not short-term patches,” Hershey said. “This package represents serious work and real solutions to bring stability and relief to our state’s energy landscape.”
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Senate Bill 26 – Public Utilities – Off-Grid Electricity Providers – Exemption
Sponsor: Senator Mike McKay
Maryland is experiencing rapid growth in high-demand commercial load, including data centers and advanced manufacturing facilities. SB 26 provides a forward-looking solution allowing Maryland to meet growing demand while protecting the affordability and reliability of the existing system and
• Establishes a Consumer Regulated Electricity (CRE) framework for large-scale, independent, off-grid power providers.
• Enables new industrial and commercial customers to secure dedicated electricity supply outside the regulated grid.
• Protects existing residential ratepayers from cost or reliability impacts.
• Reduces strain on the regulated grid and the PJM Interconnection market.
• Supports economic development without shifting infrastructure costs onto current customers.

“Marylanders shouldn’t have to pay higher bills because large new facilities are pulling more power from an already strained grid,” said Senator Mike McKay. “SB 26 lets new high-demand users — like data centers — develop their own dedicated energy supply so existing families and small businesses aren’t stuck footing the bill. It protects ratepayers while still allowing economic growth.”

Senator Mike McKay secured millions in state funding for Garrett County projects—from water infrastructure and school improvements to fire department upgrades and community facilities.

“Garrett County families send plenty of tax dollars to Annapolis. My job is to fight like hell to bring some of that money back home,” said Senator McKay. “These aren’t handouts—this is Western Maryland’s money, invested right here where it belongs.”

• Read the Full Article Here on his website.