"MARYLAND ENERGY FACTS" Electrification in the United States has become a challenge to its citizens. The principal sources of electricity in the US are coal, oil and natural gas, which are classified as fossil fuels. Due to the fact that fossil fuels are non-renewable and they diminish with time, the cost of extracting them is persistently increasing. It's evident that electricity prices are steadily increasing (see article about BGE rate increasing). And in fact, Maryland is ranked 10th in the list of the states ranked by high electricity prices! While coal is Maryland's main source of electricity, the amount of coal that the state produces is far from meeting their electricity requirements. Coal generates 55% of the state's electricity. Maryland also acquires electricity from their single nuclear power plant referred to as the dual-unit Calvert Cliffs. Around 33% of the state's electricity is supplied from this plant. In order to meet their citizens' electricity needs, the state has been forced to import energy resources. Since the coal mined inthe AppalachianMountains is not sufficient, the available amount is supplemented by importing some coal from Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Despite the imported coal, the state still has to depend on natural gas which they import from Norway, Egypt, Trinidad and Tobago. Many issues have emerged about the use of fossil fuels. These fuels release carbon dioxide, which has precarious health & climate effects to humans. Regulations have been imposed to reduce the emission of this gas. Unfortunately, these regulations are costly and they have triggered the increasein energy costs. Lack of affordable energy has become a threat to Maryland's economy. The state has invited utilities, especially thosewho have invested in renewable energy sources to sell a precise percentage of electricity. By the year 2022, the state expects 20% of its retail electricity sales to be generated from renewable energy sources. Out of this percentage, 2% should be solar energy. The more of this solar is installed on consumer's roofs, the more savings on their monthly electricity bills! The post Maryland Energy Facts appeared first on MDGotSun.
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