In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. “Administration” means the Maryland Energy Administration. “Director” means the Director of the Administration. “Person” includes a federal, State, or local government or an agency or instrumentality of a federal, State, or local government. “Prime supplier” means a supplier that makes the first sale into the State distribution system of a State fuel security product that is intended for consumption in the State. “Program” means the State Fuel Security Program. “State fuel security product” means a product to which the Program applies. “Supplier” means a business entity or a part or subsidiary of a business entity that supplies, sells, transfers, or otherwise furnishes, including by consignment, a State fuel security product to consumers or wholesale purchaser–resellers. “Wholesale purchaser–reseller” means a business entity that: purchases, receives through transfer, or otherwise obtains, including by consignment, a State fuel security product; and resells or otherwise transfers the State fuel security product to other purchasers without substantially changing its form.

There is a State Fuel Security Program. The Administration shall maintain plans and procedures to carry out the Program. The Director shall administer and enforce the Program. The Administration shall adopt regulations for the administration and enforcement of this subtitle.

The Program applies to: motor gasoline; middle distillate; propane; residual fuel oil, except as provided in subsection (b) of this section; and aviation gasoline. The Program does not apply to residual fuel oil that is used: in an electric generating station; or as bunker fuel for marine shipping.

To carry out the requirements of this subtitle, the Administration: may collect energy–related data in order to inform evaluations and decisions regarding energy by the Administration, State and federal agencies, and, subject to the requirements of subsection (c) of this section, the public; may maintain up–to–date reports on the supply, demand, and price of various energy resources, including: State fuel security products; wholesale electricity, including electricity generated from: nuclear generation; solar photovoltaic technology; and wind, including offshore wind; coal; natural gas; and petroleum; and shall coordinate with the Department of Emergency Management to develop an information distribution plan to disseminate energy–related information to the general public and relevant State and federal agencies. The Administration shall coordinate with the Department of Information Technology to ensure that data collected under subsection (a)(1) of this section is transmitted and held securely. Data disseminated to the public under subsection (a)(3) of this section may not create a competitive advantage for or disadvantage to the person who supplied the energy–related data. The Administration shall maintain the confidentiality of all data that may create a competitive advantage or disadvantage that is unknown to competitors. If the data collected under this subtitle is stolen, breached, compromised, or otherwise released in a manner other than that authorized under subsection (a)(3) of this section, the Administration shall inform all parties that provided the data within 72 hours after learning of the release. In maintaining the reports described in subsection (a)(2) of this section, the Administration shall use data available from existing State and federal sources to the extent practicable. In order to carry out the provisions of this section, the Administration may require a prime supplier, supplier, or wholesale purchaser–reseller to provide necessary information in a form determined by the Administration.

A person who violates a provision of this subtitle or a regulation adopted under this subtitle is subject to: for a first violation, an administrative penalty not exceeding $1,000; and for a second or subsequent violation, an administrative penalty not exceeding $5,000.