ANNAPOLIS, MD (July 25, 2007) – Today, Governor Martin O’Malley hosted the Governor’s Energy Summit, that brought together diverse industry and community leaders to discuss policy solutions to help Maryland take control of its energy future. Based on the ideas presented at the Summit, he directed the Maryland Energy Administration to create a strategic energy plan to promote affordable, reliable and clean energy and achieve the EmPOWER Maryland goal of reducing energy consumption statewide by 15% by 2015.
During the four-hour summit, top experts in the field discussed ways to improve energy supply and demand, and discussed the best practices to make Maryland a leader in the renewable energy economy. The summit included leading figures from industry, non-profits, academia, and the community to discuss energy efficiency, power generation, and electricity transmission in Maryland’s growing economy.
“While Maryland families have been taking it on the chin with rising energy prices, powerful utilities are earning record profits,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “It is clear that deregulation has not worked, and that other states are way ahead of us in reducing per capita energy consumption, but by bringing together the best and brightest minds today, Maryland will begin to play a leadership role in the renewable energy economy, and ensure that Maryland families are paying a fair market rate for energy.”
“Maryland must take the lead in planning its own energy future,” said Malcolm Woolf, Director of the Maryland Energy Administration. “As we face a changing energy market, both in Maryland and abroad, our State needs to plan ahead for the new challenges that our families will face.”
Throughout both of the panel sessions, Governor O’Malley and Speaker Busch were joined by Public Service Commission Chairman Steven Larsen, People’s Counsel Paula Carmody, Maryland Energy Administration Director Malcolm Woolf, and Sen. Robert Garagiola (Senate Sponsor of Senate Bill 595). Senate Bill 595 establishes a market for solar power and encourages homeowners, businesses and others to invest in roof-top systems to lower their electricity bills. Maryland is one of the country’s leading states in promoting clean and reliable solar power. At a time when electricity rates are increasing, this legislation allows homeowners to reduce their power bills through their own solar system on their home.
The first session of the Summit focused on how to reduce consumer’s monthly electric bills by cutting per capita electricity consumption by 15% by 2015. The EmPOWER Maryland goal announced by Governor O’Malley last month is among the most-ambitious in the nation. Among the policy solutions discussed to make Maryland more energy-efficient:
The second session of the Summit focused on power supply issues – including electricity generation and transmission in Maryland. In particular, this session focused on how to promote affordable, reliable, and clean energy sources in Maryland, and how to expand on Maryland’s growing renewable energy economy. In addition to solar, Governor O’Malley signed legislation this year to expand wind energy production in Maryland. Among the policy solutions discussed to improve power generation and transmission:
The panelists that participated in today’s Summit included:
James A. Ajello
Senior Vice President Business Development
Reliant Energy Inc
Tim Brennan
Professor of Public Policy and Economics
UMBC
Kenneth W. DeFontes, Jr.
President and Chief Executive Officer
Baltimore Gas and Electric Company
Reid Detchon
Executive Director
Energy Future Coalition
William M. Gausman
Vice President – Asset Management PHI Power Delivery
Potomac Electric Power Company
Terry J. Harris
Maryland Public Interest Research Group
Maryland League of Conservation Voters
The Baltimore Harbor Waterkeeper
Kathleen Hogan
Director, Climate Protection Partnerships Division
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Mark Hopkins
Energy Consultant
Lockheed Martin
Michael C. Powell
Legislative Director
Maryland Industrial Group
William R. Prindle
Deputy Director
American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy
Thomas C. Buckley
Vice President
Asset Management Services
Charles A. Acquard
Executive Director
National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates
Paul J. Allen
Vice President Corporate Affairs
Constellation Energy
Kenneth M. Capps
Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative, Inc.
Christopher Cook
Vice President of Regulatory Affairs
SunEdison
Robert Driscoll
Senior Vice President
Mirant Energy
David E. Flitman
President
Allegheny Power
Brad Heavner
State Director
Environment Maryland
Joseph A. Orlando, Ph. D., P.E.
Director
Mid-Atlantic CHP Application Center
University of Maryland
David H. Meyer
Department of Energy Senior Policy Advisor
Department’s Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability
John Spears
President
Sustainable Design Group, International Center for Sustainable Development
Wayne Rogers
Chairman
Synergics
M. Todd Foley
Director of Business Development and External Affairs
BP Solar