This report was developed to provide comments to the Maryland Public Service Commission (Commission) as part of the ongoing implementation of the EmPOWER Maryland Energy Efficiency Act of 2008. These comments pertain to the third of six semi-annual reports that the utilities will file in the 2018-2020 EmPOWER program cycle. The Maryland Office of People’s Counsel (OPC) asked VEIC to review the ratepayer-funded and overall residential sector energy efficiency and demand response services and programs offered by five electric utility companies—the Potomac Edison Company (Potomac Edison), Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE), Delmarva Power & Light Company (DPL or Delmarva), Potomac Electric Power Company (Pepco), and the Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative, Inc. (SMECO) (jointly referred to as the “EmPOWER Electric Utilities”)—and one gas utility, Washington Gas Light Co. (jointly referred to as “EmPOWER Utilities”). Additionally, we assess the ratepayer-funded limited income programs administered by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). This document provides VEIC’s comments and recommendations based on our review of the 2019 Q3-Q4 Semi-Annual Reports and cycle-to-date program achievements and challenges.

VEIC has assisted the OPC with review and comments on the EmPOWER Maryland Utilities’ program plans and semi-annual reports since 2010. VEIC also continues to participate in a
number of stakeholder meetings and work groups on behalf of the OPC. VEIC brings decades of experience in energy efficiency program design and implementation in dozens of states and
provinces. We offer the comments in this report in a collaborative spirit and look forward to continuing to work with the utilities and all stakeholders to continually improve program design and delivery—with the ultimate aim of benefiting Maryland’s ratepayers through cost-effective, well-designed energy efficiency and demand response initiatives.