What's New in the Program

Stay informed about the newest developments in the Energy Savings for Business program! We offer key details on program modifications, including updates to existing incentives, new initiatives, exclusive offers, EmPOWER Maryland guidelines, and more. Additionally, find updated instructions for completing applications, including processing times, deadlines, and technical specifications.

Review this section to ensure your projects meet compliance standards and assist your customers in saving both energy and money. We regularly update our content, so don’t forget to visit often to stay current with the newest program details.

What's New in the Program - accordions

New EmPOWER Goals, Performance Metrics, and Opportunities

Maryland Public Service Commission Order #91461 mandates new goals and performance metrics for EmPOWER Maryland programs. As of January 1, 2025, goals are tracked and reported in lifecycle metric tons of CO2-equivalent (MT CO2e of Green House Gases, “GHG”) emissions, introducing new standards and criteria for program and project eligibility.

  • Non-electric Fuel Efficiency: Customers can now claim savings from non-electric fuels like natural gas, propane, or oil in project scopes. Higher incentives may apply. Projects focusing solely on non-electric fuels are not eligible.

  • Electrification and Fuel Switching: Electrification projects for heating or building systems can get incentives if they reduce emissions overall. Projects switching from electric to non-electric fuel do not qualify. Future zero-emission fuel projects, such as green or blue hydrogen, may be eligible if they offer positive emissions benefits.

  • Non-energy Emissions Projects: Projects reducing emissions without improving energy efficiency or electrification are currently ineligible. Examples include initiatives such as carbon sinks and carbon capture. Emissions credits and transportation projects are also not considered. Ineligible projects currently might become eligible in the future.

  • Utility Emission Rights: Effective April 14, 2025, all our incentivized EEMs will be administered under our utility emissions rights. Projects submitted after this date cannot receive incentives from other utility programs for the same measures. This applies to dual fuel efficiency and electrification measures. Projects submitted before this date will be exempt if customers have already applied for multiple utility incentives.

ENERGY STAR® Certification Changes

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ended their ENERGY STAR® certification for most lamps and luminaires on December 31, 2024. The certification now applies only to eligible downlights.

The Delmarva Power Energy Savings for Business program will continue offering incentives for ENERGY STAR certified fixtures as usual under measure codes RL 171, RL 172, and RL 173.

The Technical Requirements for measure codes RL 171, RL 172, and RL 173 will be revised to include certain luminaires that were either formerly certified or can fulfill program technical requirements.

Please review the Lighting Fixtures and Controls Technical Sheets for the Delmarva Power Energy Savings for Business program for the expanded eligibility definitions.

If you are still unsure whether a product qualifies for incentives, please contact us.

For context and details as they were announced by the EPA, see the ENERGY STAR Lighting Sunset Memo.

View Eligible Fixtures

 

 

EmPOWER Maryland programs are funded by a charge on your energy bill. EmPOWER programs can help you reduce your energy consumption and save you money. To learn more about EmPOWER and how you can participate, click here.

The EmPOWER Maryland charge funds programs that can help you reduce your energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions and save you money. Since the inception of the EmPOWER Maryland program in 2008, the programs have saved $14.5 billion on installed measures at a cost of $4.1 billion. In addition to new program costs, this charge includes paying off the uncollected costs that were accrued over time by programs required by the EmPOWER statute and authorized by the Commission. In accordance with House Bill 864 the uncollected amounts will be fully paid by the end of 2032.