Energy Efficiency in Maryland's Electricity Future

Bill Prindle

September 2007

Executive Summary (abridged)

Maryland today faces an unprecedented set of challenges in its electricity markets:

• Electricity rates have roughly doubled in the last three years for most customers
• Generation and transmission capacity shortages loom in the next few years
• Global warming and other environmental threats challenge our habitual dependence on fossil fuels for power generation

To make sure Maryland’s electricity service is affordable, reliable, and clean in the coming years, state leadership must reassess past policies governing the electricity sector.

This report lays out the role that improving energy efficiency can play in meeting these new energy and environmental challenges. For this discussion, energy efficiency improvement is defined as reducing the energy required for a given unit of physical work or economic output.  Efficiency gains are distinct from load management (short-term reductions in use during peak demand periods) or reductions in energy use from reduced economic activity.

Authored by ACEEE as an independent expert on these issues, this report received substantial input from an Advisory Committee representing a wide range of stakeholder interests.  While the report reflects the preponderance of views among Advisory Committee members, it does not necessarily reflect their individual opinions or organizational positions on any given issue.

- View highlights of the report as a PDF

- View full report as a PDF or click to order hard copy.

32 pp., 2007, $25.00, E077