RPS is the abbreviation for the Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard.
What is a Maryland-Eligible Renewable
Energy Credit?
A Maryland-Eligible Renewable Energy Credit is equal to the
attributes associated with one megawatt-hour of Tier 1 or Tier
2 renewable energy from a certified Renewable Energy Facility.
What states are eligible to participate in RPS?
Section 7-701(i) of the Public Utility Companies Article of
the Annotated Code of Maryland provides the framework by which
the states eligible to participate in the Maryland RPS Program
may be determined. Renewable energy credits must be derived from
a source that is either located in the PJM Region or in a state
that is adjacent to the PJM Region. Renewable energy credits may
come from outside the area described above if the electricity
is delivered into the PJM Region. Section 20.61.01.03B(15) of
the Code of Maryland Regulations (“COMAR”) defines
“state adjacent to the PJM Region” as a state that
shares a border with the PJM Region or which the PJM Region partially
overlaps.
Renewable Energy Facilities in the following states may be eligible
to participate in the Maryland RPS program:
Maryland
Pennsylvania
New Jersey
Delaware
District of Columbia
Virginia
West Virginia
New York
North Carolina
Tennessee
Kentucky
Ohio
Indiana
Illinois
Michigan
Wisconsin
Iowa
Renewable Energy Facilities in other states may be eligible to
participate if energy is delivered into the PJM system.
What fuel sources are approved for the Maryland
RPS Program?
Fuel sources are divided in to two categories, Tier 1 and Tier
2. Tier 1 includes solar, wind, qualifying biomass, methane from
a landfill or wastewater treatment plant, geothermal, and ocean,
including energy from waves, tides, currents, and thermal differences.
Hydroelectric power plants less than 30 megawatts in capacity
are also Tier 1. Tier 2 includes hydroelectric power other than
pump storage generation, poultry litter, and waste-to-energy.
What is “Qualifying
Biomass”?
“Qualifying biomass" means a nonhazardous, organic
material that is available on a renewable or recurring basis,
and is:
waste material that is segregated from inorganic waste material
and is derived from sources including:
except for old growth timber, any of the following forest-related
resources:
mill residue, except sawdust and wood shavings;
precommercial soft wood thinning;
slash;
brush; or
yard waste;
a pallet, crate, or dunnage;
agricultural and silvicultural sources, including tree
crops, vineyard materials, grain, legumes, sugar, and other
crop by-products or residues; or
gas produced from the anaerobic decomposition of animal
waste or poultry waste; or
a plant that is cultivated exclusively for purposes of being
used at a Tier 1 renewable source or a Tier 2 renewable source
to produce electricity.
“Qualifying biomass” does not include:
unsegregated solid waste or postconsumer wastepaper; or
an invasive exotic plant species.
How many copies of
the forms do I need to submit?
For each filing, it is required that one original copy, sixteen
additional copies and a compact disc or a 3.5” disk containing
electronic versions of the filings be mailed in.
How do I apply for
certification as a Renewable Energy Facility?
The Application for Certification as a Renewable Energy Facility is available
on the RPS Program page of the Commission website. To file an application with
the Maryland Public Service Commission, send a signed and verified original,
sixteen additional copies and an electronic version of your application
and attachments to the Commission's Executive Secretary in Baltimore, Maryland.
Applications will be reviewed by Staff and placed on the agenda of a
Commission Administrative Meeting. The Commission will issue a letter order
to all applicants notifying them of the Commission's final decision.
What is GATS?
The Generation Attribute Tracking System (GATS) is a system designed by
PJM Environmental Information Services, Inc. for the purpose of tracking
Renewable Energy Credits. GATS will monitor the generation of participating
units and create certificates monthly based on actual output. A GATS
certificate from a Commission-certified renewable energy facility will be
considered a Maryland-eligible Renewable Energy Credit. Suppliers and load
serving entities are required to maintain a GATS account for compliance purposess.
What forms do I need to participate
in the Maryland RPS Program?
A complete description of the forms for the Maryland RPS Program
is listed here.
Who should complete
the various affidavits?
An officer of the applicant should complete the various affidavits.
Do I need to notarize the various affidavits?
Yes, the affidavits should be notarized.
What documentation of authority to sign is appropriate?
Whoever signs the application is required to provide authority
to sign on behalf of the applicant. A letter from a corporate
officer or general counsel granting and/or confirming authority
to sign is appropriate. If a corporate officer or general counsel
signs the application, a letter of appointment to the position
is appropriate documentation of authority to sign on behalf of
the applicant.
