New York (Platts)--5Jul2007

Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley is calling for a 15% cut in energy use
by 2015 and said the effort will begin with state-owned facilities.

     While the so-called EmPower Maryland plan announced by O'Malley on
Tuesday details steps the state government will take to meet the goal, the
administration will "roll out more initiatives for consumers and businesses"
in the near future, O'Malley spokesman Sasha Leonhardt said Thursday.

     The governor's program will initially focus on improving operations at
state facilities through more efficient lighting and equipment; implementing
more stringent efficiency standards for new state buildings; expanding the 
use of "performance contracting," where energy service companies make upgrades
at their expense and take part of the savings as payment; increasing the State
Agency Loan Program, a zero-interest, revolving loan effort for state agencies
to upgrade facilities; requiring state purchases of products certified under
the US Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star program; and requiring
state agencies to appoint energy managers to implement conservation plans.

     The plan also calls for an expansion of a community loan program that
provides low-interest loans to local governments.

     The Maryland Public Interest Research Group applauded O'Malley's
initiative, noting that New York has set a goal of cutting energy use 15% by
2015, while New Jersey is aiming for a 20% cut by 2020.

     But group stressed the plan must move beyond conservation at state 
facilities, because "that alone will not reduce Maryland's energy use 15% over
the next seven and a half years." The group called for "aggressive investment
in utility efficiency programs" and said the state should set a target of
cutting energy use 20% by 2020.