Annapolis – Today the Maryland State Senate and House of
Delegates passed legislation that provides millions of dollars for energy
efficiency and rate relief. Lawmakers will now work to reconcile the two
versions of the Strategic Energy Investment Fund legislation before the General
Assembly ends on Monday.
“After deregulation killed energy efficiency
programs, this bill finally brings them back,” said Maryland PIRG State
Director, Johanna E. Neumann. “Today lawmakers who voted for this bill
delivered their constituents real help on their electric bills.”
The Strategic Energy
Investment Fund give the State of Maryland the resources to provide energy
efficiency programs that will help reduce the state’s energy use 15 percent by
2015. If companion legislation also passes, utility companies will also have a
role in meeting the 15 percent goal.
“We reached a compromise that
will help consumers,” said Sen. Robert Garagiola. “This bill offers short-term
rate-relief and helps people reduce their energy use which lowers their bills
for the long-term.”
The Strategic Energy
Investment Fund (SB 268 /HB 368) will allocate
funds from the upcoming sale of carbon allowances to the Maryland Energy
Administration (MEA). MEA will use the bulk of the resources for low-income
assistance and to administer energy efficiency services to renters, low income
households, and other customers that utility company programs are likely to
miss.
If auction proceeds come in
at $96 million, the Senate version of the bill offers $16.3 million in
low-income assistance, $22 million in general rebates and $44 million in energy
efficiency programs. Half of those energy efficiency programs will be offered
to low and moderate income households at no or minimal cost.
At the same funding level,
the House version of the bill offers $10 million in low-income assistance,
$60.2 million in energy efficiency programs, with the remainder going to clean
energy, climate change programs, public education and administrative costs. Under
the House version, all proceeds beyond $140 million go to direct ratepayer
relief.
“We hope lawmakers continue
to prioritize energy efficiency in the final compromise,”said Ed Osann for the
American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy. “For every dollar the state
invests in energy efficiency, consumers will see $4 in bill savings.”
