Maryland Regulators Weigh EmPOWER Program Utility Fee Cuts
The Public Service Commission is evaluating utility proposals to reduce bill surcharges and adjust energy efficiency spending.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Utilities
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Should utility companies prioritize lower monthly bills over funding long-term energy efficiency programs?
Maryland regulators are currently reviewing two utility-proposed options to modify the EmPOWER Maryland program under the state's Utility Relief Act. The proposed changes aim to adjust energy-saving targets and program funding to address monthly surcharges on customer energy bills.
Why it matters
The Utility Relief Act requires the state to balance greenhouse gas reduction goals with the financial burden placed on households through utility surcharges. These adjustments are intended to lower costs for consumers while managing long-term energy efficiency investments.
Customers could see monthly energy bill savings of a few dollars up to $10 under the proposed changes. The Maryland Public Service Commission is evaluating these figures against long-term energy efficiency and emissions targets.
The players
Maryland Public Service Commission
This state agency is responsible for regulating public utilities and ensuring the implementation of energy policy mandates like the Utility Relief Act.
BGE
BGE is a major energy utility provider in Maryland that is currently navigating the regulatory evaluation of its surcharge and program spending proposals.
The details
One proposal reduces the surcharge significantly by cutting energy-saving program spending, while the other maintains higher efficiency funding with a more modest fee reduction. Meanwhile, advocates held a rally at BGE's Center Plaza office in Baltimore to oppose potential cuts to these efficiency programs.
Timeline
May 2026: PSC discussed EmPOWER Maryland changes.
October 28, 2026: Advocates held a rally at the BGE Center Plaza office.
December 2026: The Public Service Commission is expected to make a final decision.
2027-2029: Potential period for customer monthly bill savings.
Market Landscape
These proceedings represent the ongoing industry adjustment to the Utility Relief Act, which dictates how utilities must balance fiscal pressure on consumers with state-mandated environmental goals. This creates a competitive tension between lowering immediate costs and funding long-term infrastructure efficiency.
Residents may see monthly energy bill savings of up to $10 beginning in 2027 depending on which proposal the commission selects. However, the final decision could also impact the availability or scope of state-funded energy-saving programs currently offered to customers.
The takeaway
Customers should monitor the upcoming PSC decision to understand how their future monthly bills and access to efficiency incentives may change. Balancing lower immediate fees against the benefits of efficiency programs is a central trade-off in the state's current utility strategy.
What happens next
The Maryland Public Service Commission is scheduled to issue a final decision regarding the EmPOWER Maryland program changes by December 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about the state's energy framework on the Utilities page.
Live Poll
Should utility companies prioritize lower monthly bills over funding long-term energy efficiency programs?
