Conduit Street

The Director of Maryland Energy Administration (MEA), Malcolm D. Woolf, briefed the Senate Finance Committee recently to provide an update on EmPOWER and other energy programs in the state. The four main objectives discussed were:

• Status of SEIF (i.e. Strategic Energy Investment Fund)
• Progress in Adding Renewables in Maryland
• Progress in Promoting Energy Efficiency
• Smart Investments for Real Results

Background on SEIF:

Due to the state experiencing exponential increases in electricity bills and blackouts in summer 2011, the General Assembly implemented the Maryland Energy Investment Fund (SEIF) to help citizens take control of their energy future. The objective of this initiative is to help reduce the state’s carbon footprint, which would also expand Maryland’s economy by creating new, green collar jobs. Here is a link that goes in detail about what the SEIF does and how it affects different segments in the state. In addition, Mr. Woolf discussed during the briefing about SEIF’s cash flow uncertainties and what MEA would be receiving.

Renewables

Mr. Woolf mentioned that there has been a growing demand of Marylander’s using renewable energy in an effort to save more money. The briefing pointed to four particular methods through which renewable energy can be accessed which are: geothermal, solar hot water, solar PV, and wind. Out of all of the four methods, FY 2011  results show that more people used solar PV as a source of energy.

Energy Efficiency

EmPOWER programs

The EmPOWER Maryland program initiatives also look to help Maryland citizens save energy that include appliance and lighting rebates for homeowners, commercial lighting rebates, energy efficiency services for industrial facilities, and Home Performance with ENERGY STAR. MEA estimates that EmPOWER programs have saved Marylander’s over $2 billion with over 270,000  participants. In addition, demand responses are also estimated to have saved citizens over 1,600 MW.

Smart Investments for Real Results

The goal of this map is meant to help counties learn about how many businesses and other local establishments in their district are using MEA initiatives to save more energy. Here is a link to the webpage.

As previously reported on Conduit Street, Governor O’Malley introduced his septics legislation (SB 236) last week.  The bill stems from recommendations made last year by the Task Force on Sustainable Growth and Wastewater Disposal and prohibts major subdivisions on septic systems.  Local governments that adopt a “4 tier system” in their comprehensive plans will have some additional flexibility.  A major change in the bill is that the Maryland Department of the Environment will now approve residential subdivision plats. 

The bill can be difficult to follow and MACo has prepared a 3-page summary highlighting the history of the bill, its contents, and why some Task Force recommendations were not included in the bill.  Additionally, MACo has also prepared a chart showing the differences between this year’s bill and last year’s proposed legislation (HB 1107 / SB 846).

Hopefully you will find these resources useful in reviewing the proposed legislation.  MACo will be debating the septics legislation in the coming weeks.

Governor Martin O’Malley unveiled his legislation last week to increase the Bay Restoration Fee (BRF).  Rejecting a recommendation from the Task Force on Sustainable Growth and Wastewater Disposal to triple the fee, the Governor instead opted to double the annual fee from $30 to $60 for septic system users and charge sewer users based on their actual water consumption.  However, a January 27 MarylandReporter.com article raises concerns that the water consumption guides in the bill may actually almost quadruple the fee for a typical family of four.