EmPOWER Maryland Saves Customers $4 Billion On Electric Bills

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — A report released Thursday says the EmPOWER Maryland program has helped save customers more than $4 billion.

EmPOWER Maryland aims to reduce electric and natural gas use in the state.

The report by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy found that as people used less electricity, power plants released less air pollution.

Energy Star appliances brought down demand, and buyers were rewarded rebates.

Combined with more efficient air conditioning, heating, and insulation, between 2008 and 2015, the study finds Marylanders will save $4 billion over the life of the improvements.

"We've installed systems that are efficient, such as LED lighting, energy efficient HVCC systems, and heating, cooling and chilling systems," said Towson University energy manager, Stephen Kolb.

Calculating the benefits of the EmPOWER Maryland program is being done now, because the future of the program in not guaranteed.

"The initial law had goals that ended in 2015," said study author Brendan Baatz. "And now we have some new goals that are outlined in an order from the public service commission, but it is up to the public service commission to review the plans and decide what will happen with the future of the program."

The program has already paid off at M&T Bank Stadium.

"It absolutely made a difference," said Jeff Provenzano, VP of facility operations at M&T Bank Stadium. "This building right now is about 30 percent more efficient with our electrical use than when we started."

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