Energy conservation should be on everyone's minds, but a report released Thursday shows utility companies in Maryland falling behind on their efforts.

Maryland Public Interest Research Group released its Utility Work Ahead report at Allegheny Power's office on East Patrick Street.

The report shows that while Allegheny Power is doing more than other utilities in the state on conservation, the company did not start implementing its plans until this year.

Johanna Neumann, state director for PIRG, said although the state passed the EmPower Act in 2008, Allegheny Power did not implement some of its programs such as rebates for energy-efficient appliances until this year.

"The good news is that Allegheny Power's energy efficiency programs have the power to deliver tremendous energy savings," Neumann said. "The bad news is that the delays have set Allegheny customers back from reaping those proven benefits."

Neumann was joined by Delegate Sue Hecht and Timothy Kenny, president of C&O Conservation Inc., at the event.

Allegheny Power's plan, which will help it reach 90 percent of the energy-saving goal by 2011 and 94 percent by 2015, include mail-in rebates for purchase of everything from energy-efficient light bulbs to appliances.

The plan also rewards customers for installing efficient heat pumps and air conditioners and offers home audit programs.

For non residential customers, Allegheny Power offers mail-in rebates for efficient air conditioners, more efficient industrial lighting and the use of variable frequency electric motors.

The report notes that Allegheny Power customers have paid the smallest utility bills of any power customers in the state.

By comparison, on reaching energy-saving goals set by the state, current plans in place by BG&E will only attain 52 percent in 2011; Delmarva Power, 55 percent; Pepco, 71 percent; and Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative, 73 percent in 2011.

Neumann said the Maryland Public Service Commission needs to put more emphasis on energy conservation when looking at proposals by utility companies in the state.

Neumann said if the goals of the EmPower Maryland Act are achieved, set at reducing per-capita electric power consumption in Maryland by 15 percent by 2015, consumers and businesses in the state could save $861 million a year and add an estimated 8,000 new jobs by 2015.

Neumann said PIRG did not have a stand on the proposed Potomac Appalachian Transmission Highline project by Allegheny Power and American Electric Power.

"We (PIRG) think the best way is conservation," Neumann said. "Through energy-saving programs, we can meet the demands in the state through 2020."

Hecht was a co-sponsor of a bill to ensure an application filed by Allegheny Power of PATH was done responsibly.

"It had nothing to do with stopping PATH," Hecht said of the bill, which failed in the General Assembly. "My No. 1 mission is to make sure consumers are covered."

She said the company that may receive the go-ahead on PATH must be liable for anything that would happen. Hecht said there is a fine line, balancing the need to be sure the lights stay on and responsibility of the utility company for a safety or other issues.

PATH is a 275-mile, $1.8 billion project that would create a new transmission line from West Virginia, through Virginia and into Maryland, ending at a proposed new substation near Mount Airy . Allegheny Power said PATH is needed to meet demands for electricity in the future, while opposition groups question the need for the line and cite the potential aesthetic, safety and environmental impact of the system.

Kenny, who has been performing energy audits and weatherization for 20 years, has both a for-profit business and provides nonprofit service in Washington and Prince George's counties for eligible homeowners through various agencies.

Kenny said he expects many new jobs to be created through energy-efficiency programs, but cautioned that those doing the work need to be properly certified.

"It takes 300 to 400 hours to train someone from construction to weatherization, to learn how to do it properly," he said.

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