Electrify Baltimore
We all deserve affordable energy bills, clean air, and to stay safe and comfortable at home, school, and work – and this is possible, even amid extreme weather and unpredictable spikes in energy costs. Our homes and buildings weren’t built for the climate crisis, but our ability to withstand it requires them to be.
We need to electrify our communities today so they are prepared to withstand the challenges of tomorrow. It does so by requiring new homes and buildings to incorporate the most energy-efficient equipment, safety standards, clean air equipment, and effective insulation. By building smart from the start, we can provide lasting cost savings, health benefits, and climate resilience to generations of residents at the same cost to build.
Our work builds on the successful Beyond Gas campaigns in DC and Maryland — demonstrating that community-driven science and organizing can lead to cleaner, healthier homes and neighborhoods.
We are starting by advocating for legislation to ensure that new construction in Baltimore will be efficient, electrified, and ready for solar panels. Check back for more information on this effort in the near future.
We are also building the evidence base for why we need more resources to help residents switch from gas to electric appliances by testing emissions from gas stoves in homes and other buildings in Baltimore. Sign up below to get involved!
GET INVOLVED
Let us know you want your gas stove emissions tested:
Read the full report: “Beyond Gas DC: Cooking Up Danger.” Over 2/3 of gas-burning kitchens’ NO2 emissions were above the EPA’s safe limit for outdoors.
Recently, Maryland's EmPOWER energy efficiency program started providing residential incentives for electrification, which means switching from fossil fuel powered appliances to electric ones, including heat pumps for HVAC, heat pump hot water heaters, and make-ready costs like upgrading electrical panels. These incentives can pay a big chunk of the costs. You can contact BGE for more information - https://bgesmartenergy.com/residential - or, if you qualify based on your income, you might even be able to get free upgrades from the state’s version of the EmPOWER program instead.
Get help switching to efficient electric appliances through the Green & Healthy Homes Initiative, a local nonprofit that provides free home upgrades for energy efficiency, health, and safety. They’ve helped dozens of Baltimore families move from fossil fuels to electric power. Eligibility depends on factors like income, household size, and whether there’s a senior or child with asthma. They also offer weatherization, fall prevention for older adults, and air filters for kids with asthma. See what you’re eligible for by filling out the intake form. → https://www.greenandhealthyhomes.org/services/maryland-direct-services/