EmPOWER Maryland Energy Efficiency Act of 2008 (SB 205/HB 374) and Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Program (SB 268/HB 368)

UPDATE: These bills were approved by the General Assembly and have been sent to the Governor's desk. SB 205/HB 374 and SB 268/HB 368 have passed out of both the Senate and the House!  See how your Senator voted on SB 205.  


Download factsheet:  Energy Efficiency Bills 54.60 Kb

Download testimony:  Empower Maryland 18.34 Kb
Submitted February 12, 2008

Environmental Challenge: Demand for electricity has increased dramatically in Maryland over the past several years. This uncontrolled growth in energy consumption threatens the reliability and availability of energy supplies for Maryland homes and businesses, drives up electric rates, and threatens the environment.

Bill Framework: Legislation before the Maryland General Assembly -- EmPOWER Maryland Energy Efficiency Act of 2008 (SB 205/HB 374) and Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative - Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Program (SB 268/HB 368) -- would require Maryland to reduce its per capita energy use 15 percent by 2015. Electric utilities would be responsible for all reductions not accomplished by the public fund.

If Enacted: Energy efficiency is a win in every way – it’s the fastest, cleanest, and most economical way to improve energy reliability, keep rates steady, and reduce air pollution, while stimulating economic growth in Maryland.

1. Job Creation: It’s going to take investment in manpower to change how Maryland uses energy. A report by the Perryman Group found that investing in clean energy technologies, including energy efficiency, would create more than 59,000 permanent jobs in Maryland. And if consumers are spending less money on their utility bills, that’s more money injected into the local economy.
2. Money Savings: The Environmental Protection Agency has shown that a commercial building owner can generate two to three dollars in added asset value for every one dollar invested in energy efficiency. Energy savings through efficiency directly translate into lower electricity and gas bills. These ongoing savings often far outstrip the higher up-front cost of a high-efficiency light bulb, or a high-performance motor, delivering net savings to the consumer over time.
3. Clean Environment: The cleanest kilowatt of electricity is the one you never use. Aggressive investment in energy efficiency is much better for the environment and public health than building new power plants in Maryland.
4. Rapid Response: Energy efficiency programs - such as weatherizing homes or exchanging inefficient appliances for more efficient ones - are ready to be implemented right away and start delivering savings immediately.

For more information, please contact: 

Liz Martin, Natural Resources Defense Council, 202-289-6868, emartin@nrdc.org 

Johanna Neumann, Maryland PIRG, 410-467-9389, johanna@marylandpirg.org

Bill Prindle, American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, 202-429- 8873, bprindle@aceee.org