Yet, significant staffing changes at the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) and pronouncements by Governor Larry Hogan of his opposition to expanded investments in energy efficiency have clouded the issue and threatened Maryland’s status as a regional leader in energy efficiency policy. The Governor’s statements were confirmed by a MEA PSC filing withdrawing support for the investment necessary to achieve the targets set by the June order. Subsequently a December 2014 PSC Order approved most of the requested efficiency program funding increases, but in many cases only until the next round of semi-annual hearings in June 2016.
In buildings news, the PSC has granted cost recovery for an automated commercial building benchmarking system, which will facilitate customer awareness and engagement with the EmPOWER energy efficiency programs. Adoption of the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) will make commercial building codes eight percent more stringent, and one percent more so for residential codes.
Policy & Program Information
Maryland at a Glance
| Direct Jobs in Energy Efficiency | 46,724 |
| Electric Efficiency Program Expenditures | $266 million |
| Gas Efficiency Program Expenditures | $15.8 million |
| Per Capita Expenditures | $44.27 |
| Annual Electric Savings | 768,613 MWh |
| Electric Savings as Percent of Retail Sales | 1.25% |
| Annual Gas Savings | 1.42 million therms |
| Gas Savings as Percent of Retail Sales | 0.17% |