Maryland scores silver rating for energy-efficiency programs

BALTIMORE (Map, News) - Maryland’s clean-cars program, building codes and appliance standards have earned it a silver star rating in a nationwide report from Environment America, a group of state-based advocacy groups.

“What would surprise me is if we don’t move forward and become a gold star state in a couple years,” said Brad Heavner, state director for Environment Maryland, which assisted with the report.

In the report, “America’s Clean Energy Stars,” states were evaluated on these areas:

» Renewable energy policy

» Clean-cars program

» Utility energy-efficiency programs

» Appliance energy-efficiency standards

» Building energy codes.

Silver-rated states were recognized for having strong policies in at least two of these categories and meaningful policies in one or two others. Gold status was given for strong policies in at least four areas.

Maryland was recognized for its clean-cars program, which requires new cars sold in Maryland to follow stricter emission standards. When fully implemented, the program is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by nearly 8 million tons per year, according to the Maryland Department of the Environment.

The report also gave Maryland the nod for having updated building codes and efficiency standards on 17 commercial and residential products, including ceiling fans and commercial clothes washers.

But to reach gold status, Maryland would need to strengthen the current renewable energy standard, which aims to have 9.5 percent of electricity from renewable sources by 2022, Heavner said. This standard allows a lot of existing renewable energy sources to qualify and doesn’t encourage innovation.

The report highlights the progress states are making on clean energy policies that become a model for the federal government, said Cindy Schwartz, executive director of the Maryland League of Conservation Voters.

“It reminds us the states are often the incubators for good public policies,” Schwartz said during a teleconference Wednesday.

Enacting policies to become a gold state will take the engagement of local residents, said Annie Sanders, an organizer with the Sierra Club Maryland chapter, which motivates activists on a grassroots level.

smichael@baltimoreexaminer.com