It is the intent of the General Assembly to: recognize the economic, environmental, fuel diversity, and security benefits of renewable energy resources; reduce greenhouse gas emissions and eliminate carbon–fueled generation from the State’s electric grid by using these resources; establish a market for electricity from these resources in Maryland; and lower the cost to consumers of electricity produced from these resources. The General Assembly finds that: the benefits of electricity from renewable energy resources, including long–term decreased emissions, a healthier environment, increased energy security, and decreased reliance on and vulnerability from imported energy sources, accrue to the public at large; electricity suppliers and consumers share an obligation to develop a minimum level of these resources in the electricity supply portfolio of the State; and the State needs to increase its reliance on renewable energy in order to: reduce greenhouse gas emissions and meet the State’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals under § 2–1205 of the Environment Article; and provide opportunities for small, minority, women–owned, and veteran–owned businesses to participate in and develop a highly skilled workforce for clean energy industries in the State.