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 2030, which 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.