



Maryland residents felt a taste of summer recently as the state experienced its first 90-degree day.
The early dose of extreme temperatures is a sign that residents are in for a long, hot summer that will force many households to crank up the air conditioning. And with new electricity rate hikes coming down the pipeline, the sticker shock will be felt when families take a glimpse at their energy bills.
Yet with smart investments in energy efficiency and state-of-the-art technology, a hotter summer doesn’t have to mean higher energy costs. According to recent semi-annual filings on the state program EmPOWER Maryland, utilities were able to reduce peak electrical demand last summer by 1,000 MW. That’s equal to up to three gas peaker plants, the most expensive kind of power plants that are used a handful of times each year by grid operators to provide supplemental power on extremely hot days.
Reduced summer peak energy demand wasn’t the only reason the EmPOWER program was a resounding success last year. Because of EmPOWER, many Maryland homes were able to upgrade to highly efficient heat pumps which also reduced monthly utility bills. Upgrading homes with state-of-the-art heat pumps for space and water heating can lower energy bills by $1,000 per year on average. At a time when Marylanders are struggling to make ends meet — nearly one in four Baltimore households are energy-burdened — these savings can help families put food on the table and purchase life-saving medication.
EmPOWER’s value to Maryland residents is set to increase even more thanks to the EmPOWER Maryland Energy Efficiency Act of 2024, legislation that strengthens the program. Utilities like Baltimore Gas & Electric are already beginning to roll out stronger incentives for electric equipment such as heat pumps, which provide highly efficient heating and cooling all in one system as well as increased rebates for home energy audits and weatherization. By offering more opportunities for residents to maximize efficiency and upgrade to state-of-the-art equipment, Maryland residents can access life-saving cooling each summer at a fraction of the cost.
EmPOWER isn’t the only tool that will help Marylanders maximize efficiency and bring energy costs down. Last year, Gov. Wes Moore directed the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) to develop zero-emission heating equipment standards (ZEHES), also known as healthy air standards, that will lower energy bills and improve Maryland’s air quality. These standards can enhance energy efficiency by phasing in the adoption of modern, efficient, electric heat pumps when residents’ existing equipment reaches the end of its life, allowing Marylanders to upgrade when it’s right for them.
However, in order to achieve a healthier, more affordable Maryland, our state leaders need to take the first step. That means the MDE must propose a draft ZEHES rule this year and work with agencies across the Moore administration to invest in jobs training programs, streamline incentives, and work toward equitable solutions to make sure Maryland’s most vulnerable residents can reap the benefits of efficient electric equipment. Doing so would also send a clear signal to retailers, manufacturers and distributors to begin planning for an increased demand for zero-emissions technologies, a trend that is already growing as up to 50% of Maryland households are expected to be using a heat pump by the end of the decade.
A smooth, equitable transition away from polluting home-heating equipment is critical to improving air quality, which is especially important for low-income residents and people of color who experience greater pollution from burning fossil fuels in homes. Black Marylanders are exposed to about 70% more pollution from residential gas equipment, such as gas furnaces and water heaters, than white Marylanders. This pollution can worsen respiratory illnesses such as asthma, leading to costly visits to the emergency room.
Energy efficiency measures that help households upgrade to clean energy technologies play a key role in slashing air pollution. Introducing healthy air standards and ensuring that more homes have access to heat pumps can lower emissions of smog-forming NOx pollution, improve Maryland’s air quality, improve health outcomes and most importantly, save lives.
Investing in energy efficiency measures such as EmPOWER and ZEHES is one of the most effective ways Maryland leaders can reduce energy bills for households. It’s a pathway to delivering cleaner air for the state’s residents. It’s a chance to create a more affordable, healthier Maryland for all.
Josh Tulkin is the director of the Maryland Sierra Club.