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<chapter num="01" heading="General" title_num="20" subtitle_num="61">
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".01" heading="Purpose.">
    <text>The purpose of this subtitle is to establish regulations governing the Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard Program in Maryland.</text>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".02" heading="Scope.">
    <text>Except as exempted in Public Utilities Companies Article, §7-703, Annotated Code of Maryland, this subtitle applies to:</text>
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>All suppliers that sell electricity at retail in Maryland; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>Any renewable energy facility participating in the Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard Program.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".03" heading="Definitions.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>In this subtitle, the following terms have the meanings indicated.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>Terms Defined.</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>“Administration" has the meaning stated in Public Utilities Article, §7-701(b), Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(1-1)">
        <text>“Administratively complete” means that the Commission has determined an application to contain the information described in §§D through N of COMAR 20.61.06.02.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(1-2)">
        <text>“Administrator” means the qualified financial institution appointed by a qualified offshore wind project to be the administrator of the escrow account, reserve account and administrator GATS account designated for that qualified offshore wind project as well as any account in substitution of these accounts, and shall include any replacement administrator appointed under §K or L of COMAR 20.61.06.09.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(1-3)">
        <text>“Administrator GATS account” means, with respect to a qualified offshore wind project, the account established by its administrator at GATS, into which a qualified offshore wind project shall transfer all of the ORECs invoiced by that project or into which PJM EIS shall transfer all ORECs created for that project pursuant to standing instructions given to PJM EIS pursuant to §G of COMAR 20.61.06.10.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(1-4)">
        <text>“Applicant” means the owner, an authorized officer of the owner, an authorized agent of the owner, or a retail seller contracting with the owner of a renewable energy facility.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(1-5)">
        <text>“Application” means the information and materials describing a proposed offshore wind project submitted to the Commission as contemplated by Public Utilities Article, §7-704.1(a)(2), Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(1-6)">
        <text>“Application period” means the period of time, beginning and ending in accordance with §§(B)(3) and (B)(4) of COMAR 20.61.06.01, during which one or more OSW applicants may submit an application for approval of a proposed offshore wind project.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(1-7)">
        <text>“Approved OREC amount” means, with respect to a qualified offshore wind project, a fixed number of ORECs that the project may sell in any calendar year during the term of the OREC price schedule as approved by the Commission in its OREC order.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(1-8)">
        <text>“BOEM” means the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(1-9)">
        <text>“Business day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or any day on which the Commission or banks in the State are authorized by federal or state law to be closed.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(1-10)">
        <text>“Commission” has the meaning stated in Public Utilities Article, §1-101, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(1-11)">
        <text>“Community benefit agreement” means a contract between an OSW applicant of a qualified offshore wind project and a local community whereby the OSW applicant provides certain benefits to the local community and agrees to labor practices, as set forth in Public Utilities Article, §7-704.1(e)(1)(i), Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>“Customer” has the meaning stated in Public Utilities Article, §7-704, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(3)">
        <text>“Electric company” has the meaning stated in Public Utilities Article, §1-101, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(3-1)">
        <text>“Electricity service attributes” means, for a qualified offshore wind project, all energy, capacity, and ancillary services associated with its creation of ORECs.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(4)">
        <text>“Electricity supplier” has the meaning stated in Public Utilities Article, §1-101, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(4-1)">
        <text>“Escrow account” means, with respect to each qualified offshore wind project, a financial account established at and by that project’s administrator for, among other purposes, receiving payments of OREC purchase payments from OREC purchasers and proceeds of sale of electricity service attributes, and from which transfers will be made to a qualified offshore wind project to pay for ORECs invoiced by that project under COMAR 20.61.06.10.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(4-2)">
        <text>“Estimated project COD” means, with respect to a qualified offshore wind project, the date on which project COD is projected to occur, as specified in the project’s application.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(4-3)">
        <text>“Executive team” means the officers identified in an OSW applicant’s by-laws or operating agreement and any other person authorized to speak for or act on behalf of the OSW applicant.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(4-4)">
        <text>“Expiration date” means the earlier of the date on which the Commission notifies the OSW applicant that its application has not been accepted and 181 days after the close of the application period, which expiration date may be extended by mutual consent of the Commission and the OSW applicant.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(4-5)">
        <text>“Fund” has the meaning stated in Public Utilities Article, §7-701(c), Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(5)">
        <text>“GATS” means the Generation Attribute Tracking System of PJM Environmental Information Services, Inc.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(5-1)">
        <text>“GATS Account” means, with respect to a qualified offshore wind project, an account established pursuant to GATS into which renewable energy generation from that qualified offshore wind project will be reported, and based upon which PJM EIS will create ORECs for that qualified offshore wind project, including any replacement account from time to time that may be required by any change in the operating rules of PJM EIS.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(5-2)">
        <text>“Generally accepted accounting principles” means accounting principles set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as have been approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession, which are in effect in the United States as of the relevant date of determination.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(5-3)">
        <text>“Generation capacity resource” has the meaning stated in the Reliability Assurance Agreement among load serving entities in the region operated by PJM.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(6)">
        <text>Industrial Process Load.</text>
        <paragraph num="(a)">
          <text>“Industrial process load” means the total consumption of electricity by a facility of a company classified in the manufacturing sector under the North American Industry Classification System, Codes 31 through 33.</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(b)">
          <text>“Industrial process load” does not include consumption of electricity in separately metered areas exclusively devoted to nonmanufacturing related functions, including administrative, managerial, or research and development functions.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(6-1)">
        <text>“Interconnection service agreement” means the agreement for interconnection for the project as a generation capacity resource providing for capacity interconnection rights between the project, PJM, and the applicable transmission owner, as may be amended from time to time.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(6-2)">
        <text>“International electrotechnical commission” means the international standards organization that prepares and publishes standards for electrical, electronic and related technologies.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(6-3)">
        <text>“International financial reporting standards” means the financial accounting standards developed by the International Accounting Standards Board that are in effect as of the relevant date of determination.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(6-4)">
        <text>“Level 1 solar” means a solar photovoltaic renewable energy facility that is less than or equal to 10kW in rated capacity at the point of interconnection with the utility.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(6-5)">
        <text>“Level 2 solar” means a solar photovoltaic renewable energy facility that is greater than 10kW in rated capacity at the point of interconnection with the utility.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(6-6)">
        <text>“Local community” means a “local government” as defined in State Government Article, §11-101(g), Annotated Code of Maryland:</text>
        <paragraph num="(a)">
          <text>Where:</text>
          <paragraph num="(i)">
            <text>Shore-side infrastructure associated with a qualified offshore wind project will be located;</text>
          </paragraph>
          <paragraph num="(ii)">
            <text>Offshore wind supply chain developed will be located; or</text>
          </paragraph>
          <paragraph num="(iii)">
            <text>Other economic development will be located; and</text>
          </paragraph>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(b)">
          <text>Which enters into a community benefit agreement with an OSW applicant.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(6-7)">
        <text>“Major cost category” means the major capital expenditures of a proposed offshore wind project incurred during development and construction phases, including but not limited to permitting, legal and consulting costs, site and meteorological assessment, ship or barge leases, wharfage fees, construction labor, foundations, support structures, wind turbines, capitalized interest, and owners costs.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(6-8)">
        <text>“Maryland Offshore Wind Business Development Fund” means the fund of the same name established under State Government Article, §9-20C-03, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(6-9)">
        <text>“Minimum threshold criteria” means the criteria listed in §A of COMAR 20.61.06.03.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(6-10)">
        <text>“Minority” means an individual who is a member of any of the groups listed in State Finance and Procurement Article, §14-301(j)(1)(i), Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(6-11)">
        <text>“Minority Business Enterprise Program” means the program established under State Finance and Procurement Article, Title 14, Subtitle 3, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(6-12)">
        <text>“Net metering” has the meaning stated in Public Utilities Article, §7-306, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(7)">
        <text>Nonretail Commercial Customer.</text>
        <paragraph num="(a)">
          <text>“Nonretail commercial customer” means a business operating under any North American Industry Classification System Code.</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(b)">
          <text>“Nonretail commercial customer” does not include a business operating under any North American Industry Classification System Code numbers 31 through 33 or 44 through 45.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(7-1)">
        <text>“North American Industry Classification System” or “NAICS” means the standard developed by the Office of Management and Budget and used by federal statistical agencies to classify businesses for the purposes of collecting, analyzing and publishing statistical data.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(7-2)">
        <text>“Offshore wind energy RPS” means the offshore wind energy component of the RPS established pursuant to §A of COMAR 20.61.06.07.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(7-3)">
        <text>“OREC” has the meaning stated in Public Utilities Article, §7-701, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(7-4)">
        <text>“OREC invoice” means a monthly invoice delivered by a qualified offshore wind project under COMAR 20.61.06.10 to its administrator setting forth:</text>
        <paragraph num="(a)">
          <text>The number of ORECs created for that project by PJM EIS in the project’s GATS account for the second generation month immediately preceding the invoice date and in respect of which a PJM EIS statement setting forth the number of ORECs created as at the last day of the month immediately preceding the invoice date is available; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(b)">
          <text>The dollar amount due for the ORECs under that invoice; provided that, an OREC invoice shall not include ORECs in respect of which the project shall have previously invoiced the administrator.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(7-5)">
        <text>“OREC order” means an order issued by the Commission pursuant to this chapter and Public Utilities Article §7-704.1(f) that, among other things, approves a proposed offshore wind energy project, its related OREC price schedule, the duration of the OREC price schedule and the approved OREC amount.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(7-6)">
        <text>“OREC price” means, with respect to a qualified offshore wind project and each calendar year during the term of its OREC price schedule, the price for an OREC for each relevant calendar year set forth in its OREC price schedule approved by the Commission under the project’s OREC order and, following any adjustment as contemplated by §C of COMAR 20.61.06.08, the final adjusted OREC price for each relevant calendar year referenced in a replacement OREC price schedule submitted to the Commission under that regulation.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(7-7)">
        <text>“OREC price schedule” means, with respect to a qualified offshore wind project, the price schedule for ORECs for:</text>
        <paragraph num="(a)">
          <text>An initial term of up to 20 years commencing from estimated project COD; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(b)">
          <text>An additional schedule of prices for ORECs for each of 5 years immediately following the end of the initial term to accommodate potential delays in project COD, as approved by the Commission under the project’s OREC order and includes any replacement OREC price schedule submitted to the Commission pursuant to §C of COMAR 20.61.06.08.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(7-8)">
        <text>“OREC projected revenue” means, with respect to a qualified offshore wind project, that amount of annual OREC revenues in any given calendar year during the term of an OREC price schedule equal to the product of the OREC price for that year and the approved OREC amount for the same period.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(7-9)">
        <text>“OREC purchase obligation” means, the obligation of the OREC purchasers to purchase ORECs from one or more escrow accounts to satisfy the offshore wind energy component of the renewable energy portfolio standard established by the Commission under Public Utilities Article, §7-703(b), Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(7-10)">
        <text>“OREC purchase payment” means, with respect to an OREC purchaser, the aggregate dollar amount paid by it in each calendar quarter (commencing with the calendar quarter beginning on April 1 of the initial year in which the offshore wind energy RPS takes effect), for deposit in one or more escrow accounts for the purchase of ORECs pursuant to the Commission’s OREC order, OWEA, and this chapter.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(7-11)">
        <text>“OREC purchaser” means an electricity supplier that is obligated to purchase ORECs by Public Utilities Article, §7-703(d), Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(7-12)">
        <text>“OSW applicant” means a person submitting an application for a proposed offshore wind project.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(7-13)">
        <text>“OWEA” means the Maryland Offshore Wind Energy Act of 2013, as amended from time to time.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(7-14)">
        <text>“Permitted investments” means one or more investment funds operating under an exemption under Rule 2a-7 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the investments in which consist exclusively of direct, non-callable obligations (including “strips”) of the United States of America, guaranteed by its full faith and credit, and interests in such other investment funds.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(8)">
        <text>“Person” has the meaning stated in Public Utilities Article, §1-101, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(8-1)">
        <text>“PJM” means PJM Interconnection, L.L.C. or its successor.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(8-2)">
        <text>“PJM EIS” means PJM Environmental Information Services, Inc. or its successor.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(9)">
        <text>“PJM Region” has the meaning stated in Public Utilities Article, §7-701, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(9-1)">
        <text>“PJM revenues” means amounts payable to a qualified offshore wind project for its sale of electricity service attributes to markets administered by PJM.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(9-2)">
        <text>“Project” means a qualified offshore wind project.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(9-3)">
        <text>“Project commercial operation date” or “project COD” means, with respect to a qualified offshore wind project, the date on which the project satisfies the requirements for demonstrating commercial operation required by its Interconnection Service Agreement, as may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(9-4)">
        <text>“Project team” means the key individuals whom an OSW applicant hires or contracts with to lead the development, financing, permitting, engineering, procurement, construction, operations, maintenance, decommissioning and other significant functions for a proposed offshore wind project.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(9-5)">
        <text>“Proposed offshore wind project” or “proposed project” means an offshore wind project described in an application that is submitted for Commission approval as a qualified offshore wind project.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(9-6)">
        <text>“Proposed OREC amount” means, with respect to a proposed offshore wind project, a fixed annual number of renewable energy certificates that the proposed project proposes to sell as ORECs during the term of the proposed OREC price schedule.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(9-7)">
        <text>“Proposed OREC price schedule” means, with respect to a proposed offshore wind project, the price schedule described in §M of COMAR 20.61.06.02 setting a price or a series of calendar year prices for the electricity service attributes and the environmental attributes associated with the creation of ORECs.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(9-8)">
        <text>“Proposed qualified submerged renewable energy line” means a proposed transmission line, as described by Public Utilities Article, §7-208, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(9-9)">
        <text>“Public Information Act exemption request” or “PIA exemption request” means, with regard to a portion or portions of an application, a request by an OSW applicant to exempt certain information from a third-party request under State Government Article, Title 10, Subtitle 6, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(9-10)">
        <text>“Qualified financial institution” means a financial institution formed under the laws of the United States of America with an office in the State of Maryland, that satisfies all of the following criteria:</text>
        <paragraph num="(a)">
          <text>It has, at the time of selection, a tangible net worth of no less than $150,000,000;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(b)">
          <text>It has a reputable and established division that demonstrates significant experience in carrying out custodial, escrow or account administration services for customers;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(c)">
          <text>It is not an employee of any qualified offshore wind project, an affiliate of that project or an employee of any entity affiliated with any qualified offshore wind project;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(d)">
          <text>It is not an entity that holds any ownership share in any qualified offshore wind project; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(e)">
          <text>It is not an entity that is providing financing (whether in the form of debt, equity or any combination or derivation thereof) to any qualified offshore wind project; provided that, if the Commission shall have, as contemplated by §D of COMAR 20.61.06.09, determined that factors other than those specified above are relevant in determining whether a proposed administrator qualifies as a qualified financial institution, these other factors and any of the above factors that the Commission considers applicable, shall be deemed to constitute the criteria for determining whether an administrator has ceased to be a qualified financial institution for the purposes of §§K and L of COMAR 20.61.06.09.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(9-11)">
        <text>“Qualified offshore wind project” has the meaning stated in Public Utilities Article, §7-701, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(9-12)">
        <text>“Reliability Assurance Agreement” means the PJM Interconnection, L.L.C. agreement approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(10)">
        <text>“Renewable energy credit (REC)” has the meaning stated in Public Utilities Article, §7-701, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(11)">
        <text>“Renewable energy facility” means any person, including a renewable on-site generator that produces electricity using a Tier 1 renewable source or Tier 2 renewable source.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(12)">
        <text>“Renewable energy portfolio standard (RPS)” has the meaning stated in Public Utilities Article, §7-701, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(13)">
        <text>“Renewable on-site generator” has the meaning stated in Public Utilities Article, §7-701, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(13-1)">
        <text>“Reserve account” means, with respect to a qualified offshore wind project, the account established by an administrator into which funds from the escrow account of a project up to an aggregate amount equal to the six-month average of OREC projected revenue for that project for the relevant calendar year during the term of its OREC price schedule shall be deposited as contemplated by §G of COMAR 20.61.06.11.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(13-2)">
        <text>“Retail electric customer” has the meaning stated in COMAR 20.51.01.02.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(13-3)">
        <text>“Round 1 offshore wind project” has the meaning stated in Public Utilities Article, §7-701, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(13-4)">
        <text>“Round 2 offshore wind project” has the meaning stated in Public Utilities Article, §7-701, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(13-5)">
        <text>“Small business” has the meaning stated in State Finance and Procurement Article, §14-501, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(13-6)">
        <text>“Term” means, with respect to a qualified offshore wind project, the period covered by its OREC price schedule, not exceeding 20 years commencing from project COD, as approved by the Commission in the relevant OREC order; provided that, if project COD occurs later than five years immediately following the estimated project COD, the term of an OREC price schedule shall commence in year six of the schedule described in clause (a) of the definition of OREC price schedule and extend for the term approved by the Commission in the same OREC order.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(14)">
        <text>“State adjacent to the PJM control area” means a state that shares a border with the PJM Region or which the PJM Region partially overlaps.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(15)">
        <text>“Supplier” means:</text>
        <paragraph num="(a)">
          <text>An electric company as defined under Public Utilities Article, §1-101, Annotated Code of Maryland; or</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(b)">
          <text>An electricity supplier that sells electricity at retail in Maryland.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(15-1)">
        <text>“Thermal biomass system” has the meaning stated in Public Utilities Article, §7-701, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(16)">
        <text>“Tier 1 renewable source” has the meaning stated in Public Utilities Article, §7-701, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(17)">
        <text>“Tier 2 renewable source” has the meaning stated in Public Utilities Article, §7-701, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(18)">
        <text>“Veteran-owned small business enterprise (VSBE)” has the meaning stated in State Finance and Procurement Article, §14-601(c), Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".04" heading="Applicable Renewable Portfolio Standard.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>The renewable energy portfolio standard applicable to a supplier for a given calendar year is provided under Public Utilities Article, §7-703, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>On or before April 1 of each year, a supplier shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>Accumulate renewable energy credits from electricity generated before December 31 of the preceding calendar year equal to the percentage of credits from Tier 1 renewable sources and Tier 2 renewable sources required by §A of this regulation for that preceding year; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>Pay a compliance fee as specified under Public Utilities Article, §7-705, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="C.">
      <text>If appropriate, on or before April 1 of each year, a supplier shall pay the compliance fee required under §B(2) of this regulation to the Comptroller of the Treasury.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="D.">
      <text>Tier 1 Solar Compliance Schedule—Delay Request.</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>If a supplier's actual or projected dollar-for-dollar cost incurred or to be incurred solely for the purchase of Tier 1 solar RECs in any one year is either estimated to or actually does equal 1 percent of the supplier's total annual electricity sales revenue in Maryland, a supplier may request that the Commission:</text>
        <paragraph num="(a)">
          <text>Delay for 1 year each of the scheduled percentages for solar energy under Public Utilities Article, §7-703, Annotated Code of Maryland; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(b)">
          <text>Authorize the renewable energy portfolio standard for solar energy for that year to continue to apply to the electricity supplier for the following year.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>A supplier shall file a request under §D(1) of this regulation on or before February 1 of the year following the compliance year.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(3)">
        <text>A supplier request under §D(1) of this regulation shall contain the following information:</text>
        <paragraph num="(a)">
          <text>The actual or projected dollar-for-dollar cost for the purchase of a Tier 1 REC solar and the formula for calculating these figures;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(b)">
          <text>The actual or projected total annual retail electricity sales revenue for the electricity supplier seeking the compliance fee schedule deferral and the formula used to calculate these figures; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(c)">
          <text>The supplier's total Maryland retail electricity sales.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".05" heading="Solar REC Purchases and Offshore Wind Energy REC Purchases.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>Prior to January 1, 2012, if insufficient Maryland Tier 1 solar RECs are offered to meet the RPS requirement under Public Utilities Article, §7-703, Annotated Code of Maryland, and only to the extent Maryland Tier 1 solar RECs are insufficient, a supplier may satisfy the statutory requirement with RECs from a solar renewable energy facility not connected with the electric distribution grid serving Maryland.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>On or after January 1, 2012, a supplier's Tier 1 solar REC obligation under Public Utilities Article, §7-703, Annotated Code of Maryland, shall be satisfied only with RECs from a solar renewable energy facility connected with the electric distribution grid serving Maryland.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="C.">
      <text>When a supplier purchases Tier 1 solar RECs directly from a Level 1 or Level 2 solar renewable energy facility, the supplier shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>For a Level 1 solar renewable energy facility:</text>
        <paragraph num="(a)">
          <text>Execute a contract with a duration of not less than 15 years and pay the net present value of the contract amount in a single initial payment;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(b)">
          <text>Calculate the net present value using:</text>
          <paragraph num="(i)">
            <text>The number of solar RECs purchased and recorded in a GATS account multiplied by 80 percent of the compliance fee specified in Public Utilities Article, §7-705, Annotated Code of Maryland; and</text>
          </paragraph>
          <paragraph num="(ii)">
            <text>The federal secondary credit interest rate in effect as of January 1 in the contract year for the discount rate; and</text>
          </paragraph>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(c)">
          <text>If the supplier executes a contract directly with a Level 1 solar facility owner or designee, receive annually Tier 1 Solar RECs equal to the calculated annual output of the contracted facility used to determine the single initial payment under §C(1)(a) of this regulation; and</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>For a Level 2 renewable energy solar facility, execute a contract with duration of not less than 15 years.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="D.">
      <text>An electricity supplier must purchase ORECs in accordance with COMAR 20.61.06.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".06" heading="Satisfaction of Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>A supplier shall have a calendar year renewable energy portfolio consisting of renewable energy credits associated with Tier 1 renewable sources, including the required solar renewable energy credits and the required offshore wind renewable energy credits, and Tier 2 renewable sources.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>A supplier shall satisfy Tier 1 REC requirements by submitting to the Commission the following:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>A summary of RECs associated with generation from any Tier 1 renewable source, excluding RECs associated with electricity derived from solar energy and RECs associated with electricity derived from offshore wind energy;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>A summary of RECs associated with electricity derived from solar energy;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(3)">
        <text>A summary of RECs associated with electricity derived from offshore wind energy;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(4)">
        <text>For each REC submitted under this regulation, a copy of the REC registration with GATS or documentation of a REC authorized under COMAR 20.61.03.03; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(5)">
        <text>Certification that each REC used to meet the requirements of this regulation has not expired or been retired, transferred, or redeemed.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="C.">
      <text>A supplier shall satisfy Tier 2 REC requirements by submitting to the Commission the following:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>A summary of RECs associated with generation from any Tier 1 renewable source, including solar RECs, or Tier 2 renewable source;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>A copy of a REC registration with GATS documenting a REC authorized under COMAR 20.61.03.03; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(3)">
        <text>Certification that each REC used to meet the requirements of this regulation has not expired or been retired, transferred, or redeemed.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="D.">
      <text>Calculation of Sales for Determination of the RPS.</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>In calculating sales against which renewable energy portfolio obligations for a year are to be measured, a supplier shall include all retail electric sales made between January 1 and December 31 of the year, less sales specifically excluded under Public Utilities Article, §7-703, Annotated Code of Maryland, and sales described in §D(2) of this regulation.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>Applicability and Exclusions.</text>
        <paragraph num="(a)">
          <text>The provisions of this subsection apply only to a sale of electricity that is marketed or otherwise represented to customers by a supplier as renewable or having characteristics of a Tier 1 renewable source or Tier 2 renewable source.</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(b)">
          <text>Exclusions Requirements.</text>
          <paragraph num="(i)">
            <text>Except as provided under §D(2)(b)(ii) of this regulation, a supplier shall exclude any sale of electricity that is marketed or otherwise represented to customers as renewable or having characteristics of a Tier 1 renewable source or Tier 2 renewable source from total sales against which the renewable energy portfolio obligation for the year are measured under §D(1) of this regulation.</text>
          </paragraph>
          <paragraph num="(ii)">
            <text>On or after January 1, 2019, a supplier may not exclude a sale of electricity that is marketed or otherwise represented to customers as a Tier 2 renewable source.</text>
          </paragraph>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(c)">
          <text>Excludable Sales. A supplier's excludable sales under §D(2)(a) of this regulation are:</text>
          <paragraph num="(i)">
            <text>Electricity sales for which the supplier has renewable energy credits from a Tier 1 renewable source or Tier 2 renewable source equal to or greater than the renewable portfolio standard applicable in the year of reporting; or</text>
          </paragraph>
          <paragraph num="(ii)">
            <text>Electricity sales for which the supplier has renewable energy credits from a Tier 1 renewable source, including solar energy, or a Tier 2 renewable source less than the renewable portfolio standard applicable in the year of reporting in proportion to the percentage Tier 1, including solar renewable energy credits, or Tier 2 characteristics as compared with the RPS for the sale.</text>
          </paragraph>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(3)">
        <text>A supplier shall account for all sales of electricity under §D(2) of this regulation in accordance with the provisions of COMAR 20.61.04.01.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="E.">
      <text>Supplier Sales to Industrial Process Load and Agricultural Land Owners.</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>Supplier Sales to Industrial Process Load.</text>
        <paragraph num="(a)">
          <text>In calculating the renewable energy portfolio standard that contains industrial process load, the North American Industrial Classification System identification code shall govern the metered load to which the compliance fee or offshore wind energy RPS, as applicable, may apply.</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(b)">
          <text>To certify for designation of a sale as industrial process load, a supplier shall submit to the Commission the following documents:</text>
          <paragraph num="(i)">
            <text>A completed industrial process load application form available from the Commission; and</text>
          </paragraph>
          <paragraph num="(ii)">
            <text>A certification from the supplier that it has confirmed the information described in §E(1)(c)(ii) of this regulation with its relevant electric company and that such information is accurate and complete.</text>
          </paragraph>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(c)">
          <text>An industrial process load application form shall include:</text>
          <paragraph num="(i)">
            <text>The name, location, and North American Industrial Classification System identification code of each customer or facility for which industrial process load status is requested;</text>
          </paragraph>
          <paragraph num="(ii)">
            <text>Each account and meter number associated with each customer or facility for which industrial process load status is requested; and</text>
          </paragraph>
          <paragraph num="(iii)">
            <text>A Contact name, address, and telephone number for each account for which industrial process load status is requested.</text>
          </paragraph>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(d)">
          <text>The designation of a sale as industrial process load shall be effective when filed.</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(e)">
          <text>Unless a waiver is granted under §F of this regulation, a supplier sale from industrial process load for which a Tier 1 renewable source REC, including RECs associated with electricity derived from solar energy but excluding RECs associated with electricity derived from offshore wind energy, has not been delivered shall be assessed a compliance fee under Public Utilities Article, §7-705, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>Supplier Sales to Agricultural Land Owners.</text>
        <paragraph num="(a)">
          <text>Suppliers serving a customer who is an owner of agricultural land and who files an Internal Revenue Service Form 1040, Schedule F, shall be exempted from the renewable energy portfolio standard that represents offshore wind energy for that customer’s sales exceeding 3,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity in a month.</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(b)">
          <text>To certify for designation of a sale as an exempted sale to an owner of agricultural land, a supplier shall submit to the Commission the following documents:</text>
          <paragraph num="(i)">
            <text>A completed agricultural land owner application form available from the Commission that is accompanied by a statement from each customer listed on the application form certifying that that it files Internal Revenue Form 1040, Schedule F, to report farm income and expenses; and</text>
          </paragraph>
          <paragraph num="(ii)">
            <text>A certification from the supplier that it has confirmed the information described in §E(2)(c)(ii) of this regulation with its relevant electric company and that such information is accurate and complete.</text>
          </paragraph>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(c)">
          <text>An agricultural land owner application form shall include a list of:</text>
          <paragraph num="(i)">
            <text>The name and location of each customer for which exempted agricultural land owner status is requested;</text>
          </paragraph>
          <paragraph num="(ii)">
            <text>Each account and meter number associated with each customer for which exempted agricultural land owner status is requested; and</text>
          </paragraph>
          <paragraph num="(iii)">
            <text>Contact name, address, and telephone number for each account for which exempted agricultural land owner status is requested.</text>
          </paragraph>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(d)">
          <text>The designation of a sale to an exempted owner of agricultural land shall be effective when filed.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(3)">
        <text>Suppliers shall maintain records of sales to exempted industrial process load and owners of agricultural land adequate for electric companies to calculate refunds under COMAR 20.61.06.14.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="F.">
      <text>Waiver of Compliance Fee.</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>The compliance fee assessed on a supplier sale to an industrial or nonretail commercial customer, may be waived under Public Utilities Article, §7-706, Annotated Code of Maryland, upon a Commission finding of extreme economic hardship.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>The Commission may find extreme economic hardship based on the following:</text>
        <paragraph num="(a)">
          <text>Initiation or involvement in bankruptcy proceedings under 11 U.S.C. §101 et seq.;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(b)">
          <text>A credit rating of C or equivalent rating, or lower by a nationally recognized credit rating agency;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(c)">
          <text>Designation of extreme financial hardship by a federal or other state program; or</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(d)">
          <text>Any other documentation the applicant may present for the purpose of assisting the Commission in making a determination on this issue.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(3)">
        <text>In the absence of an effective waiver, the supplier remains responsible for the renewable energy portfolio standard for the industrial or nonretail customer.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="G.">
      <text>A supplier that is required to file a report under Public Utilities Article, §7-705, Annotated Code of Maryland, shall open and maintain an account in good standing with GATS.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".07" heading="Scope of Applicability.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>The requirements for Green Power Offerings set forth in COMAR 20.53 and 20.61 shall not apply to Green Power Offerings approved by the Commission for an electric cooperative.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>The reporting requirements set forth in COMAR 20.61.04.01 shall not apply to an electric cooperative.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <annotations>
    <annotation type="Authority">Public Utilities Article, §§2-121, 5-101, and 7-701—7-713, Annotated Code of Maryland</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Effective date:</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulations .01—.05 adopted as an emergency provision effective July 1, 2005 (32:18 Md. R. 1517); adopted permanently effective November 24, 2005 (32:23 Md. R. 1829)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .03B amended effective January 1, 2007 (33:26 Md. R. 1998)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .03B amended as an emergency provision effective April 1, 2008 (35:9 Md. R. 895); amended permanently effective May 5, 2008 (35:9 Md. R. 899)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .03B amended effective December 1, 2008 (35:24 Md. R. 2079); September 20, 2010 (37:19 Md. R. 1285); July 8, 2013 (40:13 Md. R. 1076); September 15, 2014 (41:18 Md. R. 1010); July 10, 2023 (50:13 Md. R. 514)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .04B amended effective January 1, 2007 (33:26 Md. R. 1998)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .04C adopted effective January 1, 2007 (33:26 Md. R. 1998)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .04D adopted as an emergency provision effective April 1, 2008 (35:9 Md. R. 895); adopted permanently effective May 5, 2008 (35:9 Md. R. 899)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .04D amended effective September 20, 2010 (37:19 Md. R. 1285)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .05 amended and recodified to be Regulation .06 and new Regulation .05 adopted as an emergency provision effective April 1, 2008 (35:9 Md. R. 895); amended permanently effective May 5, 2008 (35:9 Md. R. 899)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .05 amended effective December 1, 2008 (35:24 Md. R. 2079)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .05C amended effective August 10, 2009 (36:16 Md. R. 1251); September 20, 2010 (37:19 Md. R. 1285)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .05D adopted effective September 15, 2014 (41:18 Md. R. 1010)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .06 amended effective September 20, 2010 (37:19 Md. R. 1285); September 15, 2014 (41:18 Md. R. 1010)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .07 adopted effective May 26, 2025 (52:10 Md. R. 439)</annotation>
  </annotations>
</chapter>