Governor Wes Moore signed HB 1532, the Utility RELIEF (Reducing Energy Load Inflation for Everyday Families) Act, into law on or about April 15, 2026, the day after the General Assembly passed it on the final day of session (April 13/14). The bill's data center provisions create a large-load registry program for grid management, require data centers to pay for transmission, distribution, interconnection, and new capacity costs (preventing cost-shifting to other ratepayers), and incentivize data centers to bring their own clean energy generation with battery backup (effective 2028). Top-tier projects receive 12-month expedited environmental permitting and priority interconnection. Critics including Food & Water Watch criticized provisions they characterized as pro-industry. The law saves Maryland families an estimated $150/year on energy bills.