ANNAPOLIS (Aug. 14, 2008)—The State will hold several town hall meetings to receive suggestions from the public on how to spend the newly created Strategic Energy Investment Fund (Fund). The public is invited to share their ideas on how best to invest the Fund to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy to help Marylanders reduce their electricity bills.
The local meeting will be held at the La Plata Conference Center (8730 Mitchell Road, La Plata, 20646-0910) on Tuesday, Aug. 19 from 6-7:30 p.m. The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) Auction Town Hall Meetings will be hosted by the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA).
“Since Governor O’Malley signed the RGGI Memorandum of Understanding in April of 2007, state officials have worked tirelessly to ensure the success of the RGGI program,” MEA Director Malcolm Woolf commented. “The town hall meetings are the next critical step allowing Marylander’s to take control of their energy future and add their invaluable insights to this process.”
The Fund will be used to provide: direct refunds to residential customers; additional money for low-income bill payments; expanded energy efficiency programs; and incentives to encourage clean, renewable power without needing to rely on state tax revenues. The Fund will use the proceeds from the upcoming sale of carbon allowances under the nation’s first greenhouse gas cap-and-trade program to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from electricity generating plants.
Maryland's plan is to maximize rate relief by combining credits on Marylanders’ monthly bills with energy efficiency programs to help them take control of their own energy future. The average Marylander could see savings of over $8 a month through these programs, say State officials.
RELATED INFORMATION:
Maryland Energy Administration
http://www.Energy.Maryland.Gov/