Energy Efficiency: The First Fuel for a Clean Energy Future Resources for Meeting Maryland's Electricity Needs
Report Number	E082
Author Info	Maggie Eldridge, Neal Elliott, William Prindle, Katie Ackerly, John “Skip” Laitner, Vanessa McKinney, Steve Nadel, and Max Neubauer of ACEEE, Alison Silverstein, and Bruce Hedman, Anne Hampson, and Ken Darrow with the EEA Division of ICF International
Details	Executive Summary Maryland faces daunting challenges for its energy future. The growing demand for electricity and the stall in power system capacity calls into question our ability to keep the lights on past 2011–2012. Consumers are reeling from the recent surge in electricity prices that strain household budgets, imperil jobs, and create uncertainty for the state’s economy. Building new generation or transmission resources cannot meet these challenges in the near term—they cannot be brought online in time to forestall blackouts, and they will further increase electricity prices. Energy efficiency and demand response are the only resources that can be mobilized now to stave off the prospect of power curtailments in the next few years. Because they cost less than conventional powerplants, these demand-side resources are also the best way to help customers reduce their electricity bills. Energy efficiency and demand response are not only the least-cost resources for meeting Maryland’s future electricity needs: they also help the economy by creating new “green collar” jobs. Maryland has begun to lay the groundwork for a clean energy future with the recent enactment of a renewable electricity standard, appliance efficiency standards, and its participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). Despite these important steps, much more is needed. In 2007, Governor O’Malley set a goal to reduce per-capita electricity usage 15% by 2015. The Maryland General Assembly is now considering the Governor’s request to write this target into law. Because the energy policy choices the legislature makes today will define Maryland’s energy future for years to come, this report provides a detailed assessment of energy-saving options to help policy-makers reach informed decisions. The energy efficiency policies assessed in this report hold the potential to meet 15% of forecasted electricity consumption by 2015, enough to meet Governor O’Malley’s goal, and 29% by 2025. Our resource assessment identifies over 22,000 GWh of cost-effective electricity efficiency, more than sufficient to meet the projected 2015 policy suite savings of 10,500 GWh. Reducing summer peak demand, those times when utilities face the greatest strain on their electricity systems, is equally important as reducing overall electricity consumption. These energy efficiency initiatives, along with expanded demand response programs, have the potential to reduce summer peak demand by 32% in 2015 and 47% in 2025. These energy savings and demand reductions will reduce customer electricity bills, help stave off possible power blackouts, and give Maryland a head start on reducing carbon dioxide emissions, all while boosting the economy. Few policies offer this four-way payoff of lower consumer bills, increased energy security, a cleaner environment, and a stronger economy. Read more of the Executive Summary and download the Maryland Fact Sheet here.
Other Info	126 pp., February 2008 View report as a PDF file.
Publication Price	$ 50.00 each
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