energy assistance

Caps on payouts for abuse lawsuits, rebates for utility ratepayers, stiffer drunk driving penalties and two new official state symbols headline new laws.

Among the new changes are new income tax rates on households earning at least $500,000 a year.

Concerns about the incoming Trump administration are also likely to feature during 90 days of lawmaking.

Utilities supported the measure while various stakeholders opposed, saying it’s time for the state to cut its losses.

The Maryland Office of Home Energy Programs (OHEP) received a record number of applications for energy assistance in 2024 and anticipates receiving thousands more.

The Public Service Commission held its first virtual public hearing on the BGE rate case. The utility is seeking to increase rates that would be effective January 1, 2024.

Maryland residents who are behind on their utility bills will start getting shut-off notices Oct. 1. And a moratorium on shut offs ends Nov. 15.Tamla…