Energy Efficiency and EmPOWER Maryland

Introduction

The Maryland General Assembly has previously declared energy efficiency to be among the least expensive ways to meet the growing electricity demands of the state. This finding is repeatedly affirmed by national studies; energy efficiency is widely regarded as the least-cost energy resource option available today. Consistent with this declaration, the General Assembly passed the EmPOWER Maryland Energy Efficiency Act of 2008, which established a goal to reduce per capita electricity usage and peak demand 15 percent by 2015. The 2015 goals were met statewide.

In 2017, the General Assembly passed legislation that updated the EmPOWER statute to establish a new goal structure and cost-effectiveness requirements for the 2018-2020 and 2021-2023 program cycles. The new goal is an annual energy savings goal of 2% of gross energy sales. The Commission will continue to require utilities to establish any program that it deems appropriate and cost effective to encourage and promote the efficient use and conservation of energy.

Energy Analysis and Planning (EAP) is the Division primarily responsible for evaluating and reporting to the Commission on the results of the EmPOWER Maryland energy efficiency and demand response programs operated by the electric utilities.

Daniel J. Hurley is the Director of the Energy Analysis and Planning Division; Kevin D. Mosier and Samuel Beirne serve as assistant directors.

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EmPOWER Maryland

As part of their EmPOWER Maryland portfolios, Maryland’s five largest electric utilities offer many programs to save your home or business energy and money. Programs include lighting and appliance rebates, HVAC, Home Performance with Energy Star, Energy Star New Homes, combined heat and power, and other efficiency services and/or measures for homes, businesses and industrial facilities. Natural gas offerings are available to eligible BGE and Washington Gas customers.

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Additional Information

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For low-income customers of BGE, Pepco, Delmarva, Potomac Edison, SMECO and WGL, the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) administers the Low Income Energy Efficiency Program (LIEEP). This program assists low-income households with installation of energy conservation measures in their homes with zero out-of-pocket expenses.

For more information on the LIEEP program and to check your eligibility status, click the following link:

DHCD – Single Family and Multi Family

In addition to offering energy efficiency programs, BGE, Pepco, Delmarva and SMECO also offer incentives to customers with central air conditioning, for allowing the utility to cycle the air conditioner off and on during periods of high electricity demand.

For more information on your utility’s demand response program, click on the utility program link below:

For the 2024-2026 program cycle, the Commission has established Case No. 9705. Filings, orders and notices for this program cycle can be found in this docket.

Filings, orders and notice for the 2021-2023 program cycle can be found in the docket for Case No. 9648.

In 2018, the Commission achieved its own efficiency by consolidating EmPOWER Maryland cases 9153, 9154, 9155, 9156, 9157 and 9362 into one proceeding – Case No. 9494 for the 2018-2020 program cycle. (Filings and orders before this date can still be found using the old case numbers below):

  • Potomac Edison, Case No. 9153
  • Baltimore Gas and Electric, Case No. 9154
  • Potomac Electric Power Company (Pepco), Case No. 9155
  • Delmarva Power & Light, Case No. 9156
  • Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO), Case No. 9157
  • Washington Gas Light, Case No. 9362