New report: Maryland among national leaders in energy efficiency progress

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Josh Chetwynd

progress Decade-long analysis details dramatic clean energy growth in Maryland and nation

Environment Maryland Research and Policy Center

Baltimore- Maryland ranks first in the nation for improvements in electricity efficiency since 2011, according to a new report released today by Environment Maryland Research & Policy Center. Renewables on the Rise 2021: The rapid growth of renewables, electric vehicles and other building blocks of a clean energy future documents the growth of six key clean energy technologies across the U.S. over the past decade: solar power, wind power, battery storage, energy efficiency, electric vehicles and heat pumps. Maryland saved enough electricity in 2019 to match 2.14% of its electricity consumption, up from just 0.58% in 2011.

“The cleanest energy is energy you don’t use,” said Ben Sonnega, Renewable Energy Advocate with Environment Maryland Research & Policy Center. “​Marylanders can look forward to a cleaner, healthier future, thanks to our state’s leadership in energy efficiency.”

Beyond top-ranking improvement in energy efficiency, Maryland also ranks as ninth in the nation for electric vehicle charging ports. And the state is making strong moves on electric vehicles. Montgomery County, Maryland, for example, contracted in early 2021 to lease 300 electric school buses, the largest such purchase in the nation at the time”

In addition to highlighting states that have made the most progress in adopting renewable energy technologies, the research also details the rapid gains achieved nationally over the past decade. According to the report, America produced almost four times as much renewable electricity from the sun and the wind in 2020 as in 2011. Additionally, if wind, solar and geothermal generation continue growing at the same 15% annual rate, renewables could meet the nation’s electricity needs by 2035.

“Millions of Americans and Marylanders are already reaping the benefits of the dramatic clean energy progress we’ve made so far,” Sonnega said. “But, we’ll need to do even more in order to transform the vision of 100% clean and renewable energy for Maryland into a reality. Maryland leaders should continue to move boldly towards clean energy and electrifying our buildings and transportation systems.”

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Environment Maryland Research & Policy Center is dedicated to protecting our air, water and open spaces. We work to protect the places we love, advance the environmental values we share, and win real results for our environment. For more information, visit www.environmentmarylandcenter.org.

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