Environmental, Consumer and Housing Organizations Applaud House for Passing Legislation to Expand and Strengthen the EmPOWER Energy Efficiency Program

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Consumer, environmental, health and housing advocates from across the state applauded the House of Delegates for approving legislation to reform the EmPOWER Maryland energy efficiency program to help advance the state’s climate goals and ensure that all Marylanders can participate in and benefit from the switch to clean energy and other home improvements to reduce energy waste. 

The measure, HB 864, was sponsored by Delegate Brian Crosby and cleared the House on a vote of 99 to 35. The EmPOWER Maryland Energy Efficiency Act would: 

• Maintain existing discounts and rebates for energy audits, weatherization and efficient appliances.
• Set yearly goals for pollution reduction and add new incentives for making the switch to efficient electric appliances and heating.
• Add consumer protections and reduce cost to ratepayers by rightsizing utility profits
• Add new incentives for low income Marylanders and multifamily housing to promote more efficient, healthy housing.

EmPOWER was created in 2008 to improve statewide energy efficiency and reduce demand on the electrical grid. Since 2008, EmPOWER has saved ratepayers more than $4 billion on energy bills with lifetime projected savings of $12.7 billion and reduced Maryland’s greenhouse gas emissions by  9.6 million metric tons of carbon dioxide. That’s equal to taking 2 million cars off the road for a year. 

While the program has created billions of dollars in savings, legislation is needed to ensure the program does more for Marylanders’ health and climate.

HB864 has the support of the Moore Administration, the Maryland Public Service Commission, the Office of the People’s Counsel and a broad coalition of nonprofit advocacy groups. Leaders from a range of organizations applauded the House vote:

“Investing in energy efficiency means lower utility bills, warmer homes in winter, cooler homes in summer, and cleaner air for our families,” said Maryland PIRG Director Emily Scarr. “The cleanest, safest, most affordable energy is energy you don’t use. It’s time to update and improve EmPOWER Maryland, and we urge the Senate to make this measure a priority.” 

“The provisions in the EmPOWER reform bill are a proactive and thoughtful way to update the program in a way that creates a pathway for low- and moderate-income households to transition from fossil fuel to electric appliances that will improve their health, economic, and social outcomes,” said Ruth Ann Norton, President and CEO of the Green & Healthy Homes Initiative.

“As an organization deeply committed to the welfare of our community in central west Baltimore, No Boundaries Coalition, Inc. stands firmly behind the EmPOWER bill. This crucial legislation will bring sustainable benefits to the residents of the 21217 zip code and beyond, saving money on utility bills, reducing pollution, and fostering a healthier environment for all,” said Bolon Xi Amaru, Director of Health and Food Justice, No Boundaries Coalition.

“Our legislators have a responsibility to not just think about the present, but to think about the future and the youth. Reforming EmPOWER offers concrete steps to address greenhouse gas emissions and fight climate change, giving me hope for a healthy, sustainable future,” said Linda Gayle, Maryland Sierra Club Youth  Leadership Council Member.