Statement: Gov. Moore’s new Comprehensive Energy Efficiency Pilot Program a welcome announcement

$4 million dedicated to improve energy efficiency, health, and safety

BALTIMORE—  Maryland Gov. Wes Moore announced Tuesday that the state will provide $4 million in grants for Marylanders to retrofit their homes to make them more energy efficient. 

According to research from the Maryland PIRG Foundation, Maryland’s energy efficiency program has allocated disproportionately few resources to limited-income ratepayers. Limited-income homes represent at least 26.5% of Maryland households, but only 17.5% of residential energy efficiency spending is allocated to them.  According to the report, many of these people’s homes  need additional repairs before they can implement efficiency upgrades. These grants will help fix that.

In May, the Moore administration signed a new law to update the state’s low income energy efficiency program. The law sets a goal for the program and requires long-term planning to help all low-income households access energy efficiency.

In response, Emily Scarr, director of Maryland PIRG, issued the following statement.

“Cheers to the Moore administration for this critical investment in energy efficiency. These home retrofits will help lower energy bills and reduce harmful pollution that puts our health and planet at risk. This announcement is a step in the right direction as the state addresses a history of disproportionately low investment in limited-income home energy efficiency.

“We encourage all Marylanders to take advantage of the state’s energy efficiency program, EmPOWER Maryland, and new incentives from the federal Inflation Reduction Act to lower their energy bills, improve indoor air quality and help reduce the impacts of climate change.”

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