Company launches comprehensive effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve resilience in support of Maryland's clean energy and climate goals, with focus on helping customers meet their climate goals
BALTIMORE - BGE will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its operations by at least 50 percent by 2030* and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 as part of its continuing efforts to address climate change. The company has already reduced its own emissions significantly and has deployed smart grid technology, electric vehicle infrastructure, and other tools and programs aimed at making the grid more efficient and helping customers reduce energy use.
"BGE has a long history of both doing the right thing for the environment and meeting challenges head on," said BGE president and CEO Carim Khouzami. "There is no greater challenge now than climate change and the severe weather it causes, making our Path to Clean vital for the future health and safety of our customers and the communities where we live and work."
The initiative is part of a commitment by all six Exelon utilities to achieve net-zero operational emissions. In Maryland, BGE, together with commitments made by sister companies Delmarva Power and Pepco, is taking significant steps to make our communities cleaner and safer for generations to come.
To achieve net-zero emissions from operations, some of the actions BGE will take include:
* Converting 50 percent of our vehicle fleet to electric by 2030
* Focusing technology and infrastructure investments on increasing energy efficiency and utilizing clean electricity for operations
* Continuing the accelerated modernization of our natural gas infrastructure to minimize methane leaks and increase safety and reliability
BGE will also drive further emissions reduction beyond its own operations by advocating for sound climate policies, partnering with state and local leaders to achieve community climate and environmental goals, and piloting new technologies, among other actions.
With transportation accounting for more than half of all carbon emissions, BGE's EV Smart program is facilitating the increased adoption of electric vehicles. The company also continues to improve its energy efficiency programs, including rebate programs for energy efficient appliance and demand response programs that provide bill credits to customers for reducing electricity usage on high demand days.
"While we will accomplish our goal of net-zero operational emissions by 2050, it will take a collective effort from the community to truly address the climate crisis," said BGE's senior vice president of governmental and external affairs Rodney Oddoye. "We will work closely with our regulators, elected officials, and jurisdictions throughout our service area to ensure we can lay the groundwork for long-term emissions reductions that are equitable and inclusive."
Maryland Governor Larry Hogan and the Maryland legislature have taken major steps to advance the state's clean energy and climate goals. The state's Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Act calls for a reduction of emissions of 40 percent by 2030 (from 2006 levels), and the renewable portfolio standard goal of 50 percent by 2030 is among the most aggressive in the country. BGE's Path to Clean directly supports these goals.
Visit www.bge.com/pathtoclean to learn more.
*The goal to reduce emissions by at least 50 percent by 2030 is relative to a 2015 emissions baseline.
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BGE is Maryland's largest natural gas and electric utility, providing safe and reliable energy delivery to more than 1.3 million electric customers and more than 680,000 natural gas customers in central Maryland. The company was founded in 1816 as the nation's first gas utility and remains headquartered in Baltimore City to this day. BGE is a subsidiary of Exelon Corporation (Nasdaq: EXC), the nation's leading competitive energy provider. Engage with the latest BGE stories on bgenow.com and connect with BGE on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
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