Fwd: Call your State Senator TODAY to Protect Maryland’s Energy Efficiency program, EmPOWER

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Ethan Lucas

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Mar 25, 2026, 4:55:24 PMMar 25
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Hello all,

I hope this email finds you well! I am writing again to ask those who live or worship in MD to call YOUR senators and urge them to protect the EmPOWER program. EmPOWER is a critical resource for congregations and families across our state to electrify their building or home and save money on energy. Although the House walked back the cuts made to EmPOWER through the Utility RELIEF Act (HB 1532), we are very concerned the Senate will propose even deeper cuts as the bill makes its way through the chamber. We need this group’s help to drive in calls to your individual senators, whether they are on the Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee or not, so they hear how important this program is and our calls to protect it. Below is more information and a call script.

Additionally, I want to let you all know about a rally for EmPOWER happening this coming Monday, March 30th at noon on Lawyer’s Mall in Annapolis. While this press conference is specifically highlighting the impacts on jobs due to these potential cuts, you are more than welcome to join if you are available and so inclined. The registration form is here.

Finally, if you have solar panels at home or in your congregation (or have ever thought about it!) please voice your support for the Affordable Solar Act when making your calls. While a critical deadline has passed, we are still hopeful more pieces of this bill can be amended on to the Utility RELIEF Act.

Thank you all in advance,
Ethan



Our communities are working hard to care for our neighbors and our common home, and need every available resource to do that good work.

So I’m writing with a request to take a moment right now to call your State Senator about a threat to a program that has been a critical help for so many of our congregations and homes to undertake energy upgrades and to shift off of gas: EmPOWER Maryland.

This week the MD Senate Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee is expected to take up and vote on HB 1532, the Utility RELIEF Act, and EmPOWER MD is under threat.

As originally written, HB 1532 would drastically cut funding for EmPOWER Maryland for the next three years, ending its critical assistance for families and our congregations to reduce our energy use and lower our utility bills.

Luckily, the version that passed the House of Delegates last week included an amendment that removed most of the threat to EmPOWER. Now that the bill moves to the Senate, we need to continue to advocate to ensure EmPOWER remains protected.

Protecting EmPOWER is about more than energy policy. It is about caring for those most burdened by high utility costs while reducing the pollution that harms our communities.

 

📞 We invite you to take a moment today to call your State Senator and urge them to protect EmPOWER Maryland.

Your call can make a difference.

Here is a sample phone script you can use:

“Hello, my name is [Name], and I live in [City]. I’m calling as a constituent/[MEMBER OF X CONGREGATION] to urge Senator [NAME] to protect the EmPOWER program. 

I am calling because my faith calls me to seek the well-being of our communities and to protect the most vulnerable among us. We must ensure that HB 1532 protects the EmPOWER program. Not doing so would harm my neighbors by taking away the tools that help families lower costs and live in healthier homes.

Can we count on Senator [NAME] to protect this vital program?”

📞 Please make your calls today and let us know how it went by emailing and...@ipldmv.org 

With gratitude,

Andrea Orozco (she/her/ella)

Advocacy Lead

Interfaith Power & Light (DC.MD.NoVA)

 

IPL
900 Massachusetts Ave NW
Washington, DC 20001
United States

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