WYPR
FEBRUARY 19, 2026
Maryland lawmakers are considering a bill that would explore the impact of leaving the regional power grid operator, known as the PJM Interconnection.
The legislation joins a myriad of proposals that aim to lower skyrocketing utility bills for Maryland ratepayers — a declared top priority for lawmakers this legislative session.
The PJM is the largest regional transmission organization in the country, managing the flow of electricity for 13 states, including Maryland.
The Old Line State has been a member of the PJM since 1956, but criticisms over the grid operator’s management tactics have surged in recent years.
The strife largely began following a record-high capacity auction in the summer of 2024 — a mechanism that allows utilities and energy providers to purchase electricity from power generators years in advance to ensure there is enough electricity for future demand.
PJM capacity costs jumped from $2.2 billion in 2023 to a whopping $14.7 billion in 2024 and surged again to $16.1 billion in 2025.
These exorbitant prices have widely been attributed to the rise in data centers and a lack of regional energy generation to keep up with their large-load demand.
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