David Smedick, (443) 789-4536, david.smedick@mdsierra.org
Baltimore, M.D. —The Maryland General Assembly finalized the specifics of the Public Service Commission’s (PSC) updates to the EmPOWER Maryland program today, which passed through the House and Senate in March to be codified as law. The 2008 EmPOWER Maryland legislation established landmark energy efficiency targets and programs through 2015 with huge successes in energy efficiency services like appliance and lighting rebates, home energy checkups and behavior-based energy saving programs. The legislation will ensure the state continues its energy efficiency investments by codifying a PSC Order from July 2015 that requires utilities to continue and ramp-up energy efficiency targets into the next decade.
In response, David Smedick, Maryland Campaign and Policy Representative at the Sierra Club issued the following statement:
“We’re thankful the General Assembly has taken this step to continue its endorsement of energy efficiency and conservation. Now it’s time for Governor Hogan to prove he’s really about creating jobs in Maryland and saving ratepayers money by signing this bill into law. There has been widespread support for clean energy and energy efficiency programs throughout the state. With the House and Senate supporting the EmPOWER Maryland program, we expect Governor Hogan to sign his support for thousands of new jobs and billions in bill savings for residents and businesses. I’m looking forward to Governor Hogan signing his name on a win-win bill that will allow Maryland to continue its growth as a new hub of economic growth in the clean energy industry.”
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A report from the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy, says EmPOWER programs have deployed efficiency measures that will save Marylanders over $4 billion through the lifespan of the program, making it one of the most successful energy services in the state. The programs have avoided:
- 19 million metric tons of climate-disrupting carbon pollution
- 34 million pounds of smog-forming nitrogen oxides
- 78 million pounds of dangerous sulfur dioxide pollution