Lawmakers took action on energy efficiency during the legislative session, but left significant reforms undone.

Maryland PIRG and our allies succeeded in passing energy efficiency standards for 7 common commercial and household appliances, such as furnaces and walk-in freezers. This bill establishes Maryland as a national leader on appliance efficiency standards.

However, lawmakers failed to pass a bill that would have saved enough energy to power 200,000 Maryland homes in 2016. SB 562 / HB 631 would have required Maryland utilities to invest in programs that save about 1 percent of residential sales each year for each of the next decade. This measure would have saved Maryland consumers money, reduced pollution, and helped maintain reliable service.

Before restructuring our electric utility, Maryland had some of the most extensive energy conservation programs in the nation, which saved about 31/2 percent of total electric sales. After deregulation all of the efficiency programs were halted by Maryland’s major utilities. This legislation would have re-establish those programs and provided relief in for demand shortfalls, higher rates, and rising energy costs.