Smart Energy Solutions In the News

When an addict goes to a clinic for treatment, doctors treat the patient in an effort to wean him off the dangerous drugs that could ruin his life. They wouldn’t offer him another deadly drug to replace the first. Unfortunately, some policy-makers want to treat our nation’s addiction to fossil fuels by making us dependent on dangerous nuclear power instead.

More than 40 organizations nationwide, including Maryland's advocate for electricity customers, have asked federal regulators to investigate "deep systemic problems" in power auctions that they say drive up residential customers' bills.

A diverse group of electricity customers are urging energy regulators to ensure prices offered by certain wholesale markets meet a federally mandated fairness standard.

Local residents and environmental activists grilled federal representatives about the safety of the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant in Lusby at a public briefing in Prince Frederick.

Opponents of a proposed third nuclear reactor in Calvert County are drawing attention to a concern that might sound familiar to Calvert's frustrated commuters: how to get off the southern tip of the peninsula-shaped county.

SOLOMONS ISLAND, Md. - A disaster at the Calvert Cliffs nuclear plant in Lusby could lead to thousands of deaths because of congested escape routes and other potential problems, anti-nuclear groups said Thursday. The charges come as plant owner Constellation Energy has submitted designs to add a new third nuclear reactor to the two 30-year-old reactors at the site, plans that county officials say they strongly support.

Opponents of a proposed third nuclear reactor in Calvert County say roads there can't handle mass evacuation if there is disaster.

Maryland Public Interest Research Group, which launched a campaign in March to try to stop the construction of a third nuclear reactor in Southern Maryland, is holding another protest today.

A disaster at the Calvert Cliffs nuclear plant in Lusby could lead to thousands of deaths because of congested escape routes and other potential problems, anti-nuclear groups said Thursday.

Two days after rejecting a measure outlining how to spend proceeds from selling pollution credits to industries that face substantial emissions restrictions, the Senate pulled an about-face and approved the bill on Thursday.

Gov. Martin O'Malley plans to announce today a settlement with Constellation Energy Group, ending a bitter battle between the state and BGE's parent company and securing $187 million in one-time rebates for more than 1 million residential customers, according to state officials who have been briefed on the agreement.

Anxious about soaring electricity costs, a Senate committee voted to give households a break on monthly bills by using money that had been set aside by Gov. Martin O'Malley for energy efficiency and conservation.

Shoppers at many Home Depot, Costco and Ace Hardware stores from Beltsville to Bethesda get $1.50 off a purchase of a compact fluorescent light bulb and $3 off on a multipack, thanks to the generosity of Pepco, say company officials.

So what environmentally savvy measures are you taking that help keep you in the black (and perhaps on the couch)? Maryland PIRG just issued a report detailing rebate programs and other incentives that other states have put in place to encourage people to save energy --- and save money on fuel bills at the same time.

Lois Nichols replaced more than 50 light bulbs, purchased all-new appliances and had her two-story colonial house in Crofton insulated.