Solicitation for Expedited NGEA Project Review Now Underway (PC74)
November 5, 2025
NOTICE REGARDING SOLICITATION APPLICATIONS UNDER THE NEXT GENERATION ENERGY ACT
During the 2025 Session of the Maryland General Assembly, the Next Generation Energy Act (“NGEA”) was passed. On September 30, 2025, the Commission initiated Public Conference 74 (“PC 74”), which established a solicitation process where certain generation sources may be selected by the Commission to have an opportunity to go through an expedited Certification of Public Convenience and Necessity (“CPCN”) process. The Commission provided notice that the Solicitation Period officially commenced on October 1, 2025 and would conclude at the close of business on October 31, 2025, absent any extension. The authority for this solicitation and the expedited CPCN process is established under Public Utilities Article (“PUA”) § 7–1201, 7–1206, 7–1207, 7–1208, 7–1209, and 7–207 or 7– 207.5.
In the initial notice establishing PC 74, the Commission directed that within 45 days after the closing date for the Solicitation Period, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Power Plant Research Program (“PPRP”) shall recommend to the Commission proposals that have met the criteria to use the expedited CPCN process under PUA §7– 207.5. The Commission reiterates this requirement and also directs that in order for PPRP to conduct a complete review, any applicant who submitted an application with confidential or restricted information shall provide any necessary information to PPRP through the following contact information: Power Plant Assessment Division, Department of Natural Resources, Tawes State Office Bldg., B-3, 580 Taylor Avenue, Annapolis, MD 21401. The e-mail address is: pprp.dnr.@maryland.gov.