The proposed legislation, General Assembly Raised Bill No. 6929, aims to establish a thermal energy network grant and loan program under the jurisdiction of the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection, effective October 1, 2025. The bill defines key terms such as "thermal energy," which refers to heating or cooling derived from non-greenhouse gas-emitting fuel sources or geothermal energy, and "thermal energy network," which encompasses the infrastructure for distributing thermal energy. The program will support various eligible recipients, including local and regional governmental entities, electric distribution companies, and nonprofit organizations, in developing thermal energy network projects.

Under this program, the Commissioner is authorized to award grants and loans to assist with community planning, project design, engineering services, and infrastructure costs related to thermal energy networks. Recipients of these funds will be required to submit annual reports for three years detailing the status of their projects to relevant authorities. The bill introduces new legal language to facilitate this program while deleting any outdated provisions that may conflict with its implementation.