MD ALERT: Call TODAY to Protect Maryland’s Energy Efficiency program, EmPOWER

4 views
Skip to first unread message

Ethan Lucas

unread,
Mar 16, 2026, 7:53:43 PMMar 16
to creation-care-...@googlegroups.com
Hello DE-MD Synod friends,

Anyone who lives or worships in Maryland, we need your help. We found out tonight that a newly-introduced bill in the MD House of Delegates looks to effectively eliminate EmPOWER, a crucial program that people and families in our faith communities across the state use to make energy efficiency and electrification upgrades in their homes. (Here is Sierra Club's analysis if you are interested in learning more.) If you are able, please use the call script below to call Speaker Peña-Melnyk and your delegates TONIGHT. Additionally, we would love it if you could share this with others you know in your congregation, community and or groups you are involved in. A vote is scheduled for tomorrow morning so time is of the essence. Please scroll down for the call script and more. 

______________________________

Across our faith traditions, we are called to care for our neighbors, steward the Earth, and ensure that everyone can live in safe and healthy homes. Right now, those shared values are at risk in Annapolis.

Tomorrow morning, the Maryland House of Delegates is expected to vote on HB 1532, the Utility RELIEF Act. While the bill includes some positive provisions, it would drastically cut funding for EmPOWER Maryland, a program that we know helps families reduce their energy use and lower their utility bills.

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 Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk at (410) 841-3800 and YOUR home district delegates (which you can find here) 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 Delegate [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. Cutting the EmPOWER program in HB 1532 would harm my neighbors by taking away the tools that help families lower costs and live in healthier homes.

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

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

With tremendous gratitude,

Ethan


Ethan Lucas

unread,
Mar 20, 2026, 4:27:51 PMMar 20
to creation-care-...@googlegroups.com
Hi all,

Thanks for taking action to protect Maryland's crucial energy efficiency program, EmPOWER.

On Tuesday the House added an amendment to HB 1532 that removed most of the threat to EmPOWER. However, the bill now goes to the Senate, where we are not sure what will happen. HB 1532 is a large energy omnibus bill that also includes many things not related to EmPOWER.

We expect a hearing on the bill in the Senate Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee may occur next week, so the next few days will be crucial. If your Senator is on the EEE committee, please call them today and ask them to preserve EmPOWER.

Thanks again for your advocacy to preserve a strong EmPOWER program,
Ethan
Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages