Dive Brief:
- Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) announced a new $2 million, three-year grant aimed at encouraging energy efficiency adoption by state manufacturers.
- The grant will provide funding for the Regional Manufacturing Institute, which will identify state-based companies needing energy efficiency upgrades.
- The institute plans to target 50 Maryland-based companies, and the program is expected to save 10 million kWh and $1.2 million.
Dive Insight:
Bullish on efficiency and renewable energy, Maryland just added to its long queue of grants and programs supporting investment in these resources.
The $2 million grant grew out of the state's Next Generation Energy Efficiency Gains Program and the Combined Heat and Power Program. A state press release noted success from a similar effort three years ago that yielded comparable savings: a reduction of 10 million kWh and $1.2 million in savings.
In addition to this program, Gov. Hogan earlier this year allowed a six-year expansion of the state's EmPOWER efficiency program to become law, including a goal for utilities to reduce electrical usage by 2% annually by 2020. The program is expected to save ratepayers $11.7 billion thanks to reduced energy consumption, while adding almost $4 billion to Maryland’s gross domestic product.