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Wednesday, March 18, 2020 | Department of Environmental Protection
RESIDENTIAL: Now that we have more time at home for a few weeks, we are proud to announce a new partnership of Montgomery Energy Connection, a program led by the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), with the Montgomery County Office of Broadband Programs via County Cable Montgomery. As part of this partnership, we will be producing Home Energy Hacks – short, informative videos providing residents with quick and easy tips to lower energy use in their homes. The videos will be released on the 18th of each month on multiple social media platforms. Find out about the series here.
COUNTY: Out of an abundance of caution for our attendees, Montgomery County DEP and USGBC NCR are postponing the 2020 Montgomery County Energy Summit to limit the spread of the coronavirus. Please mark your calendar for the new date of the Energy Summit – tentatively scheduled for November 17-18, 2020 – at the Silver Spring Civic Building. If you’ve already registered for the Energy Summit, you’ll be all set for the rescheduled event. Registration will close soon and reopen again closer to the rescheduled date. Learn more.
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RESIDENTIAL: The Maryland Public Service Commission launched a new website where residential customers can shop for energy suppliers. As a Maryland resident, you have the option to choose who supplies your electricity. Maryland is an energy choice state where customers can choose their electricity and natural gas providers. “Some suppliers regularly offer rates and service that are 10% or more cheaper than the utility company, but watch for escalation clauses and cancellation penalties the fine print in your contract. You can shop now using this website.
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COMMERCIAL: In 2019, The Tower Companies installed the largest rooftop solar PV system on a multifamily building in Montgomery County, Maryland. The 122-kW installation reduces almost 10% of the overall operating costs at Blair House, which is just one of their properties located on a 27-acre mixed-use development in which is collectively called “The Blairs”. With the support of federal and local incentives, the project is expected to achieve a 1-year after-tax payback. Learn more on our blog.
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The My Green Montgomery Green Jobs Board will help you find green jobs in our region. We post jobs for free, if they:
- are green jobs (focused on energy, sustainability, water, trees, community greening, environmental ed, etc.)
- based in the DC or Baltimore regions. Jobs in Montgomery County or easy for our residents to commute to work!
We pre-approve each job before posting, but we do not guarantee the length of time jobs will be posted. To look for new job opportunities, click here.
The Montgomery County Energy Team receives tons of newsletters and articles every day, and these are a few articles that we wanted to share this month. These articles range from county, state, national and international stories, we hope you find them as interesting as we did.
Clean Energy Production: This article ranks the states by their clean energy production and comments on the regulatory challenges and new clean energy projects across the country, thestacker.com
Climate Change and Alcohol: Whatever your poison, one of the most important things you can do, for your health and for the planet, is drink in moderation, www.nytimes.com (second article)
Energy Efficient Buildings: Rebecca Powles explains how increasing pressure to deliver energy-efficient buildings is creating opportunities for environmentally conscious scientists, www.nature.com
Energy Scams: A group called Utilities United Against Scams (UUAS) released tips on how customers can avoid utility scams as part of National Consumer Protection Week, www.dailyenergyinsider.com
Equity in Leadership: Feminine leadership is essential to solving society’s largest, intractable challenges because flexibility is required for unprecedented transformation, innovation comes from diverse perspectives, and collaboration leads to stronger solutions, www.greenbiz.com
Green Bank: The Montgomery County Green Bank has launched its energy efficiency and renewable energy program called the Clean Energy Advantage (CEA) Residential Financing Program, www.mcgreenbank.org
Methane: The second most important greenhouse gas, after carbon dioxide is still a hard-hitting gas and may have been underestimated, www.washingtonpost.com
Solar Car Challenge: In Washington state, the 2020 Solar Car Challenge — an academic tournament for local elementary, middle and high school students — is the time to shine. The event combines the fun of pinewood derby with the educational experience of a science fair, www.columbian.com
Solar Energy: National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is taking a good, hard look at what happens when you invest in bifacial solar panels instead of regular run-of-the-mill ones, www.cleantechnica.com
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Montgomery Energy Connection has made the decision to put all face-to-face elements of our energy programming on pause until May 1st in light of the current status of COVID-19. We will reassess in April and hope to see you at our upcoming energy education events, light bulb exchanges, and other great Lighten Up events later this spring!
There are still many opportunities to learn from home, check out these Webinars:
March 31, 2020 from 12:00 – 2:00 pm
Online Roundtable: How Can We Make Net Zero the Norm?
May 21, 2020 from 2:00 – 3:00 pm
Renewable Energy Options for Small Businesses and Congregations
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