What’s new:
On January 27th, Maryland Governor Wes Moore announced the “Lower Bills and Local Power Act” (LBLPA), a legislative package designed to provide immediate cash relief to families while aggressively modernizing the state’s power grid.
Here’s what it would do at the state level:
* Solar financing: A new $70 million “Gap Financing Program” will fund local solar and storage projects, explicitly designed to offset cuts to federal Investment Tax Credits under the Trump administration.
* Cash relief: The bill allocates $100 million for a new round of direct utility bill rebates for families, scheduled to hit this fall. This is on top of $200 million in electricity bill rebates that Maryland started sending out to all Maryland ratepayers last year.
* Highway power: The state is putting $10 million toward using existing highway rights-of-way for new high-voltage lines and battery storage, allowing them to bypass complex private land acquisition deals.
Why it matters:
* They’re filling the federal gap: With federal clean energy support shrinking, Maryland is stepping in with state funds (reinvested from utility compliance payments) to keep local solar and storage on track.
* They’re cutting red tape: By focusing on highway rights-of-way and existing state-owned lines, the administration can deploy desperately needed infrastructure faster than traditional permitting will allow.
* They’re defending consumers: The bill frames energy policy as a housing affordability issue. By cutting utility profit incentives and forcing participation in regional planning, the state estimates it could save ratepayers tens of millions of dollars.
What he’s saying:
“Energy policy is about more than megawatts and transmission corridors. It is about whether Maryland families can afford to live in their homes.”
- Wes Moore
11.2 Megawatts of New Community Solar To Be Built in Delaware
What’s new:
TurningPoint Energy (TPE) and Standard Solar announced a new partnership on Jan. 27 to build two major community solar projects in Delaware that will offer clean energy access to nearly 1,700 homes.
Here’s what you should know:
* The projects: The collaboration will deliver 11.2 MW of power across Harrington, Delaware. Both projects feature single-axis tracker systems and are scheduled for completion in 2027.
* Charitable giving: As part of the deal, TPE is donating $40,000 to local non-profits in the host counties.
Why it matters:
* It’s a statewide commitment: This move continues TPE’s 2022 pledge to invest over $100 million in Delaware’s energy infrastructure.
* They’re offering energy equity: The projects are designed to lower electricity bills for subscribers who cannot install panels themselves (like renters), with 15% of bill savings specifically reserved for low-income customers.
* It’s a state policy win: Standard Solar cited Delaware’s “forward-looking” Renewable Portfolio Standard as a key driver for the investment, proving that state-level policy continues to attract national capital even as the federal administration de-prioritizes solar development.
Musk Says Cost of Deploying Solar in U.S. ‘Artificially High.’
What’s new:
Elon Musk used his debut at the World Economic Forum in Davos to argue that solar energy is the critical bottleneck preventing an AI-driven economic boom.
Here’s an overview of his statement:
* His 100GW target: Musk announced that Tesla and SpaceX are independently working to build up to 100 gigawatts per year of solar manufacturing capacity within the United States.
* Critique of tariffs: Musk slammed US solar tariffs, arguing they make the cost of deploying clean energy “artificially high” at a time when electricity is desperately needed.
* How much solar he believes we need: Musk reiterated his long-standing belief that roughly 100 by 100 miles of solar panels in a corner of Nevada or New Mexico could power the entire United States.
Why it matters:
* We’re headed for an AI energy crunch: Musk warned that the world is approaching a hard limit where “we’re very soon going to be producing more chips than we can turn on.”
* Domestic Pivot: By targeting 100GW of domestic manufacturing, Musk is attempting to bypass the tariff barriers he criticized.
In His Words:
“Unfortunately, the tariff barriers for solar are extremely high, and that makes the economics of deploying solar artificially high.”
- Elon Musk
Sources:
Maryland introduces legislation to curb energy costs, spur solar development
Standard Solar, TurningPoint Energy spearhead Delaware community solar portfolio
In Davos debut, Musk says US tariffs make solar power a challenge
Elon Musk at Davos 2026: why technology could shape a more ‘abundant future’
