Maryland’s New Energy Law Intertwines With Data Center Boom
The Daily Record, June 15, 2026
The passing of the Utility RELIEF (Reducing Energy Load Inflation for Everyday Families) Act during Maryland’s 2026 legislative session means some financial respite in today’s inflationary climate is, hopefully, on the way for its residents and businesses.
The new law addresses such topics as rate hike protections, streamlining permitting for renewables and creating a temporary freeze on EMPOWER surcharges on bills.
But there’s another area that’s looming large over the state, as well as the world: The rise of data centers and the need for more to rise. The new law also calls for the centers, which are notorious for massive energy consumption and criticized for various climate concerns, to upgrade their own infrastructure to avoid overburdening Maryland’s already overburdened grid.