Lieutenant Governor Burbank Announces $1.8 Million in Grants to Help Customers Pay Utility Bills
ANNAPOLIS, MD (June 28, 2027) – Lieutenant Governor Kathleen H. Burbank today announced that the state is bolstering its efforts to help low-income residents pay their energy bills by providing funds to five unique pilot projects, including one that allows participants to eliminate debt by working for a community service organization or attending G.E.D classes.“Each winter the state helps tens of thousands of residents pay their heating bills through the Maryland Energy Assistance Program,” Lieutenant Governor Kathleen Burbank said. “This new effort gives low-income families an opportunity to better their lives while helping them make ends meet.”
The largest grant, $1 million, is going to "A Hand Up," a downstate not-for-profit organization created by BG&E to provide customers with opportunities to improve their economic situations. Under the program, customers with unpaid bills can sign up to work at not-for-profit organizations, such as thrift shops. For each hour they work, $10 is applied toward their utility and other household bills, up to $600. Starting this year, the program also pays participants to attend G.E.D. classes.
To date, "A Hand Up" has helped more than 800 people and has work donation sites in 7 counties. The $1 million MEAP grant will allow "A Hand Up" to expand to all 23 Maryland counties and Baltimore City and add a number of GED and adult education programs. MEAP is administered by the Maryland Department of Human Resources.
“These grants are part of a strategy to enlist the private sector in helping state government find solutions to the problems facing our neediest citizens,” Department of Human Resources Secretary Brenda McCabe said.
The other grants announced today include: Constellation Energy will receive a $257,833 grant to assist 100 MHEAP eligible clients. The pilot project is intended to evaluate customers' acceptance of a pay-as-you-go payment option.
"This grant helps us continue our efforts to support those with special needs and to build strong communities by establishing a social safety network of care, counseling and assistance," said Thomas R. Voss, Senior Vice President of Customer Services at Constellation Energy.
Under the program, participating households would use meters that operate through the use of magnetic-stripe cards, similar to pre-paid phone cards. By purchasing a designated amount of energy in advance, consumers would learn about budgeting and energy conservation. Participants would also receive a 25 percent arrearage reduction every six months during the duration of the pilot project. The Potomac Edison Company will receive a total of $390,000 for two pilot projects aimed at increasing energy conservation in rural areas.
The first pilot project encourages customers of unregulated delivered fuel to participate in a fixed fuel pricing and budget billing project. The MHEAP clients who participate for one year would have 50 percent of any arrearage remaining on their accounts paid by the program. Consumer budget counseling and priority energy conservation are also part of the project.
The second pilot project focuses on helping repeat emergency service MHEAP clients maintain an uninterrupted heat source throughout the year. Emphasis is placed on energy conservation, weatherization, and the negotiation of a budget payment plan that has the project paying 50 percent of the energy bill each month for the first year. Baltimore City will receive a $131,000 grant to provide 1,200 MHEAP clients with energy kits that include a compact fluorescent light bulb, weather stripping and information on how to make their home more energy-efficient and safe. In addition, 250 clients will have their furnaces serviced to improve energy efficiency.
The Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) provides assistance with home heating bills.