1. (a) In this section, “Working Group” means the Energy Industry Revitalization Working Group of the Commission.
2. (b) The Commission shall establish an Energy Industry Revitalization Working Group.

3. (c) The Working Group shall include:

   1. (1) One member of the Senate of Maryland, appointed by the President of the Senate;
   2. (2) One member of the House of Delegates, appointed by the Speaker of the House;
   3. (3) The Secretary, or the Secretary's designee;
   4. (4) The Secretary of Commerce, or the Secretary's designee;
   5. (5) One representative of the National Federation of Independent Business, selected by the State director of the National Federation of Independent Business;
   6. (6) One representative of the Maryland Chamber of Commerce, selected by the President and CEO of the Maryland Chamber of Commerce;
   7. (7) One representative of the Maryland Small Business Development Center, selected by the regional directors of the Maryland Small Business Development Center; and

   8. (8) Six representatives of the energy industry, including:

      1. (i) Two representatives selected by the Secretary;
      2. (ii) Two representatives selected by the Public Service Commission; and
      3. (iii) Two representatives selected by the Director of the Maryland Energy Administration.
4. (d) The Secretary shall designate the chair of the Working Group.
5. (e) The Department shall provide staff for the Working Group.

6. (f) A member of the Working Group:

   1. (1) May not receive compensation as a member of the Working Group; but
   2. (2) Is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget.

7. (g) The Working Group shall:

   1. (1) Advise the Commission on issues and opportunities related to small business revitalization and the transition to renewable energy's effects on small businesses;
   2. (2) Conduct a study of the impacts of transitioning to renewable energy; and

   3. (3) Include in the study:

      1. (i) The number of small businesses impacted by the transition to renewable energy;
      2. (ii) The projected cost of transitioning existing small businesses to renewable energy;
      3. (iii) The economic impact of the transition to renewable energy and new energy sources, including supply chain impacts;
      4. (iv) An analysis that identifies energy generating facilities that may close as a result of a transition to renewable energy, including issues and opportunities related to repurposing the sites; and

      5. (v) An analysis that identifies or estimates, to the extent practicable:

         1. 1. The timing and location of facility closures and layoffs in nonrenewable energy industries;
         2. 2. The impact of facility closures and layoffs on affected workers, businesses, and communities; and

         3. 3. How the Commission can most effectively respond to the impact of facility closures and layoffs, including the potential to:

            1. A. Compensate businesses that closed due to the effects of the transition to renewable energy; and
            2. B. Incentivize businesses to transition to renewable energy through subsidies.
8. (h) On or before December 31, 2023, the Working Group shall report to the Commission and, in accordance with § 2-1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly on the findings of the study required under subsection (g) of this section.

Added by Acts 2022, c. 38, § 4, eff. June 1, 2022.