EmPOWER Maryland

Update: July 12, 2012

To plan for EmPOWER beyond 2015, MEA is working with stakeholders from the electric and gas utilities and suppliers, the environmental advocacy community, and state agencies. Please see the EmPOWER Maryland Planning page for more details.

EmPOWER logo features text and a CFL lightbuld. Under Governor Martin O’Malley’s “EmPOWER Maryland” initiative, the State will reduce energy consumption by 15 percent by 2015.

Under Governor Martin O’Malley’s “EmPOWER Maryland” initiative, the State will reduce energy consumption by 15 percent by 2015. To help achieve this goal, MEA encourages residents to adopt the energy saving measures that are most appropriate for their home. In many cases, these measures do not require a large financial investment.

As part of the EmPOWER Maryland legislation, Maryland's five utilities offer many programs to save your home or business energy—and money! The Maryland Public Service Commission approved higher rebates from 2012 to 2014, so there's never been a better time to improve the efficiency of your home or business.

Programs include lighting and appliance rebates for homeowners, Home Performance with ENERGY STAR (including home energy assessments and 50% rebates for energy improvements like insulation and air sealing), commercial lighting rebates, and energy efficiency services for industrial facilities. Find incentives offered by your utility using the links below:

Maryland State Agencies
Department of Housing & Community Development logo The EmPOWER Maryland Low Income Energy Efficiency Program (LIEEP) helps residents of low income households install energy conservation materials in their homes at no charge.
Utilities
bge BGE Smart Energy Savers Program
delmarva Delmarva Power’s Energy Saving Programs
pepco Pepco's Energy Saving Programs
Potomac Edison's Energy Saving Programs

Potomac Edison's Energy Saving Programs
smeco SMECO’s EmPOWER Maryland programs

 

More Energy Saving Information

While every home is different, the chart below provides a list of energy savings measures that residents can use to achieve significant energy savings. When implemented, these measures can help Marylanders significantly reduce electricity consumption.

Energy Conservation Measure

Estimated Annual kWh savings

Annual Electric Bill Savings

Estimated Reduction in Household Electricity Consumption

Replace all lights with Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFLs)

1000

$130

6%

Blow-in Wall Insulation

700

$90

4%

Seal Ductwork

650

$85

4%

Repair Ceiling Leaks

600

$80

3%

Upgrade to an ENERGY STAR, front-load clothes washer

400

$50

2%

Upgrade Attic Insulation

300

$40

2%

Upgrade a 10 year old refrigerator to an ENERGY STAR refrigerator

300

$40

2%

Upgrade to ENERGY STAR room air conditioner

250

$30

1%

Install low flow showerhead

250

$30

1%

Click here for detailed explanations of each energy conservation measure

EmPOWER Maryland for State Government

The “EmPOWER Maryland” initiative extends beyond the residential and business sectors. The initiative contains seven steps to help State government reduce power consumption 15% by 2015:

  • Improve Building Operations
    A 5% reduction can be achieved through improved building operations, replacement of incandescent lights with compact fluorescent lights, and involvement of each state employee to reduce energy use at each agency of state government. 
  • Significantly Expand Use of Energy Performance Contracting
    Maryland can benefit dramatically in energy and maintenance savings by expanding the use of the Energy Performance Contracting (EPC) program.  Under this program, agencies hire energy service companies to develop, install, and finance projects designed to improve the energy efficiency and maintenance costs for facilities. 
  • Increase the State Agency Loan Program
    The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) will expand the State Agency Loan Program (SALP) by 50% to $1.5 million in FY 2008.  By augmenting this zero interest revolving loan program, state agencies will avoid an additional $50,000 in electricity bills, resulting in total annual avoided costs under this program of at least $150,000.  Typical projects include energy efficient lighting, controls, heating, ventilation and air conditioning.  SALP can be used to fund a portion of an energy performance contract or to fund individual projects.  
  • Require Energy Efficient Buildings
    Significant energy savings can be obtained by requiring all new state buildings over 20,000 square feet to be more energy efficient, based on a review of the upcoming recommendations of the Maryland Green Building Task Force.  California has enjoyed great success in reducing its energy consumption by investing in energy efficient buildings.  According to the US Green Building Council, the average upfront additional cost of constructing to the LEED Gold certification standard is 2.2% and is typically recovered through energy savings within 3 years. 
  • Purchase Energy Star Products
    Purchasing Energy Star qualified products where available, as well as environmentally friendly cleaning and maintenance products, would save energy and reduce the state’s environmental footprint. 
  • Expand Community Energy Loan Program
    MEA can expand the Community Energy Loan Program (CELP) by 33% to $2 million in FY 2008.  CELP provides in low interest revolving loans to local governments and nonprofit organizations to install energy efficient improvements.  By adding an additional $500,000 to the CELP program fro FY 2008, MEA can provide additional loans to help more hospitals, schools and local governments finance energy efficiency investments.
  • Ensure Accountability
    Incorporating energy issues into the StateStat process will help state agencies track their progress and assist in achieving the statewide energy efficiency goals.  State agencies will be expected to designate energy managers, conduct energy consumption analyses, and update energy conservation plans.