Sustainable Maryland Certified MML Panel Discussion Jenn Gallicchio Senior Energy Efficiency Program Manager Maryland Energy Administration October 4, 2012
Overview of MEA Agency mission: Maximize energy efficiency while promoting economic development, reducing reliance on foreign energy supplies, and improving the environment.
Sustainable Maryland Certified The Sustainable Maryland Certified (SMC) program helps communities find cost-effective and strategic ways to protect their natural assets and revitalize their communities. Storm water Buy Local CSA SMC Water Conservation Energy
How can MEA help SMC? CSA Storm water Buy Local SMC Water Conservation Energy MEA
SMC Energy Actions Municipal Energy Audits Residential Energy Efficiency Wind Energy Project Innovative Demonstration Project
Energy Action #1: Municipal Energy Audits MEA s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program provided energy audits to many Maryland municipalities. The scope and depth of the EECBG-funded audit varied based on the needs of the local government and the amount of information provided to MEA s auditor (e.g. historical energy bills). Audit should be seen as a starting point for energy efforts, not a final result. Additional energy projects to include in future capital budgets Track energy usage using the EPA s Portfolio Manager tool Operational and maintenance practices
Energy Action #2: Residential Energy Efficiency The Residential Energy Efficiency action requires municipalities to encourage residents to reduce energy usage in their homes. To aid in achieving this action, eligible municipalities may be interested in pursuing MEA s EmPOWER Clean Energy Communities low-to-moderate income grant program.
EmPOWER Clean Energy Communities Low-to-Moderate Income Grant Program $2.575 million available during fiscal year 2013 Grant funds must be used on energy efficiency projects that benefit low and moderate income Maryland households. Competitive grant program Additional information, including examples of past projects, can be found on MEA s website at http://www.energy.state.md.us/govt/empowercleanenergycommu nities.html. FY13 applications are due to MEA by Wednesday, October 17 th.
Energy Action #3: Wind Energy Project MEA offers two programs that may be of interest to anyone considering a wind energy project: Anemometer loan program An anemometer is a device that measures the wind resources available in a particular location. Windswept Grant Program $3,000 per kw of normalized capacity, up to $100,000 Additional information can be found at http://www.energy.state.md.us/windswe pt/index.html.
Energy Action #4:Innovative (Energy) Demonstration Project(s) Possible project idea: Complete an additional energy efficiency project identified in your EECBG audit that was not funded through the original EECBG program. MEA resource: Local governments can obtain loans for energy efficiency upgrades through the Jane E. Lawton Conservation loan program. The loan gets repaid using the avoided energy costs. Program details can be found on MEA s website at http://www.energy.state.md.us/govt/janeelawton.html.
Energy Action #4:Innovative (Energy) Demonstration Project(s) Possible project idea: Install a renewable energy project to demonstrate the benefits of clean energy to the local community. Solar photovoltaic Solar water heating Geothermal heating and cooling MEA resources: MEA offers grant incentives for all of these technologies. Additional information can be found at http://www.energy.state.md.us/business/cleanenergygrants/index.h tml.
Energy Action #4:Innovative (Energy) Demonstration Project(s) Possible project idea: Execute an energy efficiency upgrade on a facility that exclusively benefits low or moderate income Marylanders. Energy efficiency upgrades to a local homeless shelter Energy efficiency improvements in low and moderate income senior rental housing MEA resource: EmPOWER Clean Energy Communities low-tomoderate income grant program http://www.energy.state.md.us/govt/empowercleanenergycommu nities.html
Additional Resources Under EmPOWER Maryland, the five largest electric utilities offer incentives for energy efficiency. BGE: http://www.bgesmartenergy.com/ Delmarva Power: http://www.delmarva.com/energy/conservation/mdinformation/ Pepco: http://www.pepco.com/energy/conservation/meiin/ Potomac Edison (formerly Allegheny Power): https://www.firstenergycorp.com/content/customer/save_energy/save_ener gy_maryland.html SMECO: http://www.smeco.coop/save/
Additional Resources The utilities offer incentives for both residential and commercial customers. Utility incentives are available for the following types of energy efficiency projects: Building shell improvements (residential) Lighting HVAC Appliances
Jenn Gallicchio jgallicchio@energy.state.md.us 410-260-7542