The Maryland Department of Environment (MDE) has hired Environment and Energy Economics (E3) to study least-cost approaches to reducing carbon emissions from buildings. The firm has been advising Maryland on its greenhouse gas reduction strategies since 2018 and has consulted for the California Air Resources Board, New York State, Oregon, Washington and Minnesota.
MDE has commissioned the firm to answer two broad questions:
- What are the potential pathways to achieve deep decarbonization of Maryland’s building stock by mid-century, relying on a mix of energy efficiency, electrification and renewable fuels?
- What are the costs and benefits of each pathway, considering impact on the electric system, renewable fuel costs and heat pump equipment costs?
A summary of the work and context for how it fits into Maryland’s approach to climate mitigation can be reviewed in the E3 briefing.
The study is underway and expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2021. The results will be used as the basis for an energy transition plan for new and existing buildings due by year end.
