Maryland

Regional Roundup Ranking
The EmPOWER Maryland Energy Efficiency Act of 2008 ("EmPOWER") required Maryland's electric utilities to achieve energy savings through a managed portfolio of energy efficiency programs administered by the utilities and overseen by the Maryland Public Service Commission through 2015. The Act of 2008 did not provide a framework for adopting new tarfets after 2015, but to ensure Maryland's continued success in achieving energy savings , the commission issued Order 87082 in July 2015 establishing a ramp up of 0.2% energy savings per year until the utilities reach 2%. In 2017, Maryland's legislature enacted an EmPOWER bill into law without Governor Hogan’s signature. This bill codifies the two percent target of electric energy savings until 2024. The utilities are now in the midst of their 2018-2020 EmPOWER plans
 
There has been a lot of movement around the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) through 2017 and 2018. RGGI states have decided to extend of RGGI through 2030which reduces the emissions cap by 30 percent from 2020 levels by 2030. Maryland took a step in 2018 to alter the circumstances which th state may withdraw from RGGI by requiring the General Assembly to enact a law approving the withdrawal. This will ensure it is in the best interest of the state if the time comes that it is proposed to withdraw from this initiative. 
 
Maryland has been looking towards electric vehicles (EV) as a strategy to reach state energy and climate goals. In January 2018, an EV working group submitted a proposal that recommended the commission open a new proceeding to consider the creation of a “Statewide Electric Vehicle Portfolio" that would include 24,000 chargers. The group requested a final order be released by July 1, 2018 The potential program includes chargers at residential, multi-unit, non-residential and public sites. 
 
The proposal also includes a large outreach and education plan to encourage adoption of EVs. By taking this initiative beyond just establishing the infrastructure needed to support EVs and educating consumers about EVs and the cost-effectiveness of making the switch, Maryland will see real movement in adoption. This portfolio would help the state achieve its commitment to reach 300,000 zero-emissions cars on the road by 2025, and maybe even exceed it.
 
The commission responded to the EV working group’s proposal to implement a coordinated statewide EV portfolio and in February 2018, opened docket 9478
 
Complementary Policies 

In buildings news, the PSC has granted cost recovery for an automated commercial building benchmarking system, which will facilitate customer awareness and engagement with the EmPOWER energy efficiency programs. Adoption of the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) will make commercial building codes eight percent more efficient, and one percent more so for residential codes.

The legislture passed a law in 2018 the requires developments of 11 or more homes built by the same builder to provide a home buyer with information about energy efficiency options, including a statement that tax credits may be available for various energy efficient upgrades. This law will provide home buyers with transparency about the energy cost of a home an potential for further savings. 

Policy & Program Information

State Offices

Maryland Energy Administration
Public Service Commission

Program Administrators

Baltimore Gas & Electric
Delmarva
Pepco
Potomac Edison
Southern Maryland Electric Coop (SMECO)
Low Income Energy Efficiency Program (DHCD)

Additional Resources

Maryland Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan
Maryland and the Clean Power Plan
State Documents and Key Info- Maryland 
U.S. Department of Energy
SEE Action

 

Maryland at a Glance

Direct Jobs in Energy Efficiency 46,724
Electric Efficiency Program Expenditures $270 million 
Gas Efficiency Program Expenditures $1.75 million
Per Capita Expenditures $45.22
Annual Electric Savings 560,617 MWh
Electric Savings as Percent of Retail Sales 0.91%
Annual Gas Savings 1.65 million therms
Gas Savings as Percent of Retail Sales 0.10%
2016 program year data as reported to the NEEP EM&V Forum for the Regional Energy Efficiency Database (REED) and E2's Energy Efficiency Jobs in America report. Savings are expressed in net annual terms.

 

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