BPA Advocates for Contractors in Letter to Maryland Office of Home Energy Programs

BPA has submitted a letter to the Director of the Maryland Office of Home Energy Programs (OHEP) requesting assistance to address the significant drop in new client leads for the EmPOWER Maryland and DOE weatherization programs. These programs are crucial in providing relief to income-qualified residents by improving the comfort and safety of their homes and reducing high energy bills.

Contractors and stakeholders in Maryland have been actively involved with the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) in implementing these programs. In the past, OHEP would generate a substantial number of leads that were then distributed to nonprofit Local Weatherization Agencies (LWAs) and State Wide Contractors (SWCs) for follow-up. However, there has been a drastic reduction in lead flow recently, resulting in a shortage of work for staff and an inability to serve clients in need.

Over the last several months, contractors have only received 10% to 15% of their usual number of new client leads. DHCD has attributed this decrease to a decline in qualified leads from OHEP.

BPA is urging the Director of OHEP to take action in increasing and restoring the volume of new client leads for the EmPOWER Maryland and DOE weatherization programs.

Read the full letter here.