Wanting to be more like California, Maryland governor names new energy chief

Maryland needs to embrace efficiency and conservation measures to address rising energy costs, the new director of the Maryland Energy Administration said Tuesday.

Malcolm Woolf, who was named to the position by Gov. Martin O'Malley, steps into the post after having worked at the National Governor's Association as the director of the National Resources Committee, which focuses on energy, agriculture and the environment.

"Maryland faces considerable energy challenges," Woolf said. "Consumption is far outpassing new generation in the state. At this point, Maryland is importing over a quarter of our electricity from other states."

Part of the solution to addressing high energy costs, he said, will consist of using new technologies and simple conservation steps all residents can take.

"For example, there's sizable untapped potential on energy efficiency and conservation measures such as installing high-efficient appliances and simple measures such as unplugging electronics that are not in use," Woolf said.

O'Malley pointed to California as an example of a state that has done more to conserve electricity in recent years. O'Malley said Maryland hasn't been aggressive enough in pursuing conservation.

"That is something we have not thrown ourselves into in our state in a really long time, some would say, ever," O'Malley, a Democrat, said.

The governor also said the state would "immediately" start pursuing conservation efforts, but he didn't elaborate.

The Maryland Energy Administration focuses on increasing energy efficiency and promoting economic development. The director advises the governor on policies and changes in the energy market.

One agency goal is to reduce energy costs for Maryland residents, an issue that has grabbed headlines since the Maryland Public Service Commission reluctantly approved a 50 percent rate hike last month for 1.1 million customers of Baltimore Gas and Electric Co., a subsidiary of Constellation Energy Group. The PSC went ahead with approving the rate increase after a review by commissioners who found "little legal option" to defer or reduce the utility company's proposal.

During his campaign for governor last year, O'Malley frequently criticized former commissioners for not doing more to prevent the increase. He vowed to make some changes and replaced three of the five commissioners on the panel, including the chairman.

However, the new commission failed to find any legal avenue to reverse the rate increase, which went into effect Friday.

Another stated purpose of the agency is to examine ways to lower operating costs for state and local governments while helping improve air and water quality in Maryland.

In his role at the NGA, Woolf was responsible for pursuing legislation on energy and environmental issues to reflect governors' priorities in shaping federal policies.

Before working at NGA, Woolf served as minority counsel to the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. He also has worked as a senior attorney at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of General Counsel.