Wes Moore’s Energy Gamble: Rebates Today, Higher Bills Tomorrow

Marylanders are watching their electricity bills skyrocket, and Governor Wes Moore wants you to believe it’s all the fault of PJM, the regional transmission operator. But while Moore shouts about “a seat at the table” and hands out $40 rebates as if they’ll make a dent in utility bills that are up by double digits, the truth is clear: Maryland’s own policies are fueling this crisis.

The Numbers Don’t Lie

PJM’s capacity auction price for 2026 came in at $329 per megawatt—more than ten times higher than just two years ago. The result? Rate increases of 10–20% across Maryland and neighboring states. For families already paying $150+ per month, that means hundreds of dollars more out of pocket each year.

Moore wants to point the finger at PJM’s bureaucracy, and sure, the grid operator’s backlog and outdated processes haven’t helped. But let’s be honest: when you retire coal and gas plants, block natural gas expansion, and gamble on offshore wind projects that still aren’t delivering cheap power at scale, you’re creating a supply crunch. That’s a direct result of Maryland’s green-first energy agenda.

Rebates as Distraction

Moore paraded a $40 utility credit in September, promising “relief now.” But this rebate comes from funds utilities already collected under state renewable mandates. In other words, it’s your money—being repackaged and handed back to you like a political prize. For most households, the rebate barely covers one or two weeks of electricity. Meanwhile, BGE just hiked rates by 9% in 2025, and delivery fees could add more than $1,200 annually to some bills.

Calling this a solution is like putting a Band-Aid on a leaking dam. As Senate Minority Whip Justin Ready put it:

“Energy rates just went up again and will continue climbing every six months because the Democratic supermajority in Annapolis ignored the short-term energy crisis. This ‘relief’ plan doesn’t change that reality — it’s a Band-Aid that masks the real wound. Marylanders deserve a long-term solution to lower energy costs, not another socialist transfer of their own money designed to cover up bad decisions in the State House.”

Ready also reminded Marylanders not to be fooled by Moore’s rhetoric:

“This is not new money. It’s your money. The Strategic Energy Investment Fund comes from higher utility bills that Marylanders have already paid. Instead of fixing the failed policies driving up costs, Democrats are raiding SEIF for a short-term gimmick while bills keep climbing every six months.”

The Blame Game with PJM

To his credit, Moore has joined other governors—both Democrats and Republicans—in demanding reforms at PJM. Faster project approvals, more transparency, and state representation make sense. But his rhetoric is heavy on outrage and light on accountability.

When Moore calls PJM’s policies a “slap in the face,” it plays well in front of cameras. Yet PJM doesn’t own power plants, and it doesn’t set state policy. Maryland’s participation in RGGI (a carbon tax by another name), the EmPOWER program, and the 2023 Climate Solutions Act—all proudly backed by Moore’s allies—have driven costs higher while forcing plant retirements. That’s not PJM’s doing.

Maryland’s Energy Future—or Lack Thereof

The Next Generation Energy Act, rushed through in April 2025, is Moore’s attempt at a legacy. It promises 1,600 megawatts of battery storage, tweaks to solar permitting, and even talks with neighboring states on nuclear power. But it still sidelines natural gas—the most reliable, affordable bridge fuel available. Instead, the act doubles down on lofty renewable goals while families wonder how to pay their bills this winter.

Environmental groups cheered; Republicans called it a gimmick. The reality? Marylanders won’t see meaningful results until at least 2026, if then. In the meantime, Moore’s feel-good rebates are all that stand between households and utility bills spiraling out of control.

What Maryland Really Needs

Energy affordability doesn’t come from slogans or one-time credits. It comes from common-sense policy:

• Keeping reliable natural gas and nuclear plants online while building out renewables responsibly.
• Cutting delivery fees and ratepayer surcharges buried in programs like EmPOWER.
• Prioritizing reliability and affordability—not just climate talking points.

Governor Moore can blame PJM all he wants, but Marylanders know the truth. The green energy gamble has left the state dependent on imported power and vulnerable to price shocks. Until Annapolis admits its policies are part of the problem, Maryland families will keep paying the price.