Businesses Welcome Expansion of Maryland’s Energy Efficiency Programs To Meet Climate Action Goals

May 9, 2024 /3BL/ - Ceres joins businesses with employees and operations across Maryland to applaud lawmakers and Gov. Wes Moore for strengthening the state’s EmPOWER program by aligning its energy efficiency targets with the state’s ambitious climate goals.

Maryland’s EmPOWER program has been in place for two decades to help residents and businesses access and install more efficient appliances in their homes and buildings, generating more than $4 billion in ratepayer savings, lowering utility bills for thousands of low-income residents, reducing strain on the power grid, and creating thousands of jobs.

Under the new law, EmPOWER must set explicit greenhouse gas emission pollution reduction goals that align with the state’s commitment to cut the state’s share of planet-warming pollution by 60% by 2030 and achieve net zero emissions by 2045.

“At A.O. Smith, we know that high efficiency products offer consumers access to a critical resource that saves them money, and we strive to ensure that our products are accessible and affordable for consumers. Programs like EmPOWER help to ensure that these benefits are widely felt by businesses, households, and ratepayers of all backgrounds," said Joshua C. Greene, vice president for government, regulatory, and industry affairs at A. O. Smith. "We applaud the state legislature and Gov. Moore for expanding and bolstering the program by aligning it with the state's ambitious climate goals.”

“We applaud the Maryland legislature for passing legislation to reform the EmPOWER Program. This is a great example of how public policy can support environmental justice while sharing the benefits of the low-carbon transition across all segments of society,” Julie Gorte, senior vice president, sustainable investing, Impax Asset Management.

“By connecting homeowners and contractors with efficiency programs, Sealed has seen firsthand how programs like EmPOWER benefit consumers, local economies, and the climate all at once,” said David Kolata, vice president of policy, Sealed. “We are excited that Gov. Moore and Maryland lawmakers are bolstering these wide-ranging benefits by ensuring EmPOWER is at the center of the state’s efforts to confront climate change."

Several major businesses including A. O. Smith, dsm-firmenich, EILEEN FISHER, Sealed, and Uplight supported strengthening the EmPOWER Program during the 2024 legislative session. In a letter organized by Ceres, the businesses voiced their support for investing in energy efficiency and aligning the EmPOWER program with Maryland’s climate goals.

“We applaud the General Assembly and Gov. Wes Moore for expanding the EmPOWER program to help ensure Maryland meets its ambitious climate goals,” said Jeff Mauk, director of state policy, Ceres. “Energy efficiency has a crucial role to play in reducing climate pollution while also bringing significant economic benefits to businesses and residents. The continued investment in energy efficiency will allow Maryland to lower utility costs for ratepayers, cut pollution, and bring new local jobs to communities.”

Ceres is a nonprofit advocacy organization working to accelerate the transition to a cleaner, more just, and sustainable world. United under a shared vision, our powerful networks of investors and companies are proving sustainability is the bottom line — changing markets and sectors from the inside out. For more information, visit ceres.org.

Media Contact: Helen Booth-Tobin, [email protected]