BGE, Delmarva Power and Pepco File New EmPOWER Maryland Proposals Focused on Lowering Customer Costs

Today, BGE, Delmarva Power and Pepco filed their 2027-2029 EmPOWER Maryland proposals with the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC). As directed by the PSC, each utility submitted two scenarios that would help achieve energy savings goals established by the 2026 Utility RELIEF Act, as well as focusing on reducing customer costs, in line with the spirit of the Act.

The proposals represent significant reductions from prior program spending levels and are still projected to deliver meaningful customer benefits that help households and businesses save energy, while reducing strain on Maryland's electric grid. Importantly, both scenarios achieve 100% of their respective energy-saving goals and would lead to lower EmPOWER costs on customer bills. The PSC will review the proposals and make the final determination as to which scenario is implemented.

Since 2018, Maryland has shut down roughly 6,000 MW of power production (enough to power between 3-6 million homes) and added only 1,600 MW. Maryland now imports about 40% of its power from other states. That translates into higher supply costs for customers. While new power sources are needed over the long term, those projects take years to develop. Energy efficiency can be a tool to help with that. When customers use less energy, it helps keep their individual energy costs down and reduces strain on the electric grid, especially during times of high demand. Through rebates, home and business energy assessments, financing and energy demand reduction programs, EmPOWER Maryland helps customers make energy-saving improvements that deliver lasting benefits.

BGE, Delmarva Power and Pepco worked closely with consumer advocates, environmental organizations and other stakeholders to redesign their EmPOWER portfolios.

The proposals include:

• Rebates for energy-efficient equipment and home improvements.
• Home energy assessments that identify opportunities to reduce energy usage. For Pepco and Delmarva Power - this includes virtual home energy audits, which can reduce home project costs by up to 20%.
• Financing options that help small businesses invest in energy-saving upgrades.
• Incentives that financially reward customers for reducing electricity use during periods of peak demand, helping ease pressure on the electric grid.

"Customers are feeling pressure from rising energy supply costs, and our teams took a hard look at every program and every dollar in these proposals. Our goal was simple: help customers save," said Valencia McClure, senior vice president of Governmental, Regulatory and External Affairs for Exelon. "The most affordable unit of energy is the one a customer never has to use, and we will continue to keep customer affordability at the center of everything we do."