Code of Maryland Regulations Title 20 - PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION
Here’s a comprehensive look at COMAR Title 20 — Public Service Commission, which regulates public utilities, telecommunications, passenger services, and related energy infrastructure in Maryland:
📂 Title 20 – PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION (COMAR)
✅ Subtitle Overview & Key Subjects
Based on the current COMAR table of contents (law.cornell.edu):
| Subtitle | Subject Area |
|---|---|
| 01–05 | (Vacant) |
| 06 | Cybersecurity (Ch. 20.06.01–20.06.02) |
| 07 | Practice & Procedure (Ch. 20.07.01–20.07.05) |
| 08 | Supplier Diversity Program (Ch. 20.08.01) |
| 09–24 | (Vacant) |
| 25 | Electric & Gas Submeters (Ch. 20.25.01) |
| 26 | Energy Allocation Systems (Ch. 20.26.01–20.26.03) |
| 30 | Customer Deposits, Late-Pay Charges, Rights Pamphlets (Ch. 20.30.01–20.30.04) |
| 31 | Terminations of Service (Ch. 20.31.01–20.31.05) |
| 32 | Dispute Procedures (Ch. 20.32.01) |
| 40 | Electric & Gas Companies – Affiliate Regulations (Ch. 20.40.01–20.40.02) |
| 45 | Telephone Services (Ch. 20.45.01–20.45.09) |
| 50 | Electric Companies (Ch. 20.50.01–20.50.12) |
| 51 | Electricity Suppliers (Ch. 20.51.01–20.51.03) |
| 52 | Electric Standard Offer Service (Ch. 20.52.01–20.52.05) |
| 53 | Competitive Electricity Supply (Ch. 20.53.01–20.53.10) |
| 54 | Gas Suppliers (Ch. 20.54.01–20.54.03) |
| 55 | Gas Companies (Ch. 20.55.01–20.55.10) |
| 56 | LPG Systems (Ch. 20.56.01–20.56.02) |
| 57 | Pipeline Safety Enforcement (Ch. 20.57.01–20.57.02) |
| 58 | Hazardous Liquid Pipelines Safety (Ch. 20.58.01–20.58.02) |
| 59 | Competitive Gas Supply (Ch. 20.59.01–20.59.10) |
| 60 | Heating Companies (Ch. 20.60.01–20.60.04) |
| 61 | Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards (Ch. 20.61.01–20.61.06) |
| 62 | Community Solar Systems (Ch. 20.62.01–20.62.05) |
| 63 | Community Choice Aggregation (Ch. 20.63.01–20.63.20) |
| … | (Additional vacant & specific infrastructure subtitles) culminating in |
| 90 | Taxicabs (Ch. 20.90.01–20.90.03) |
| 95 | Transportation (Ch. 20.95.01–20.95.04) |
📌 Notable Subtitle Samples
Subtitle 07 – Practice & Procedure
Includes rules on legal representation (e.g., attorneys must be admitted in Maryland unless local counsel is associated) (law.cornell.edu).
Also covers formal applications, such as rate increase filings requiring testimony and multiple copies to the Commission and People's Counsel (law.cornell.edu).
Subtitle 25 – Submetering
Regulates the installation and billing of submeters in multi-tenant buildings like apartments and commercial spaces .
Subtitle 50 – Electric Companies
Covers essential utility service standards:
General operations, engineering, records, customer relations, metering, inspections, safety, net metering, reliability rules, and surveys including the “Deanna Camille Green Rule” on stray voltage (regulations.justia.com, regulations.justia.com).
Subtitle 51 – Electricity Suppliers
Defines licensing, administrative rules, and ongoing obligations for retail energy suppliers (regulations.justia.com).
Subtitle 61–63 – Renewable & Community Energy
Subtitle 61: Renewable portfolio mandates
Subtitle 62: Community solar regulations
Subtitle 63: Community choice aggregation frameworks (webapp.psc.state.md.us, law.cornell.edu).
🏛️ Role of the PSC
The Maryland PSC functions as a quasi-judicial body regulating utilities, telecom, taxis, and energy infrastructure (“CPCNs”) (en.wikipedia.org).
It sets rates, service standards, hears complaints, and enforces safety, diversity, and environmental rules.
🔍 Access & Research
COMAR Title 20 is available via Justia, Cornell’s LII, and the Maryland Division of State Documents (DSD) website (mdrules.elaws.us).
The Maryland Register provides biweekly updates; the online COMAR is current as agencies publish amendments (peoples-law.org).
✅ Summary
Title 20 establishes the regulatory framework governing:
Utility service providers (electric, gas, water, telecom, taxis).
Procedural rules for filings, hearings, and advocacy.
Technical and safety standards (metering, pipelines, service reliability).
Renewable energy programs and consumer protections.
🛠️ How I Can Help
Provide direct links or full text for any specific Subtitle or Chapter.
Explain rules like net metering, CPCNs, supplier licensing, or submetering processes.
Check for the most recent amendments or updates in the Maryland Register.
RELATED Blog
0 comments