Do you have experience in budgeting, quantifying carbon emissions, or program evaluation? Interested in a short-term volunteer opportunity? The County is convening a specialized workgroup to develop ideas for incorporating a climate change lens into the County budgeting processes. Creating the “Budgeting Process” workgroup was a recommendation from the community-based climate workgroups that concluded their work in February 2020. The deadline to submit an expression of interest to serve on the workgroup has been extended to July 12. Letters of interest and resumes can be submitted to climate@montgomerycountymd.gov.

Montgomery County’s Department of General Services has been awarded an inaugural Resilient Maryland pilot grant of $100,000 from the Maryland Energy Administration to explore project designs and identify the best option to pursue for a new microgrid.

Montgomery County Government has identified seven critical County buildings in the downtown Rockville core, which provide essential government services and present a prime opportunity for the implementation of a community-scale microgrid that provides numerous benefits including resiliency, cleaner energy, and operational cost improvements. Read the full press release to learn more.

Montgomery Energy Connection, a DEP-led network of more than 30 county agencies, has released videos to help residents save on energy costs at home. Each installment in the Home Energy Hacks series runs under three minutes and features DEP’s Residential Energy Program Manager Larissa Johnson. Topics so far include how to choose energy efficient lightbulbs, better insulate your home, and adjust your hot water heater. Read the press release for more information.

In June the County hosted kick-off sessions which brought together the consultant team and members of the community-based climate workgroups that helped draft 850+ recommendations last summer. The consultants presented their work so far and fielded questions and feedback from workgroup members. Recordings of the sessions are available. View the Buildings & Clean Energy session (June 10), the Adaptation & Sequestration session (June 11) and the Transportation & Public Engagement session (June 22).  

If you missed these sessions or want to provide additional feedback, attend the Climate Planning Virtual Office Hour on July 16. The County will hold office hours monthly through December. 

On July 6, climate planning team staff were joined by representatives from each of the climate workgroups at the County Council’s Transportation & Environment Committee sessions on climate change. County staff discussed the climate planning process to-date and next steps with the consultant phase of planning, public engagement, and near-term climate actions. Workgroup representatives provided a summary of their recommendations. The recording of the session is available here.

Complete the 2020 Census right now and help ensure your community gets the resources it needs. Being counted has never been easier, and can be fun! After you complete your census, take a photo or video of yourself that best represents your neighborhood (bonus points if you wear your favorite face covering). Share your photo using #StandUpMontgomeryCounty or #StandUp(name your town/neighborhood) #2020Census #EveryoneCountsMCMD. Like, follow and tag the Montgomery County 2020 Census on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

The weather is getting hotter, and so are the job opportunities! Montgomery County’s Green Jobs Board makes it easy to find locally-based green positions. Recent postings include Energy Specialist for Fairfax County, Americorps Volunteer with Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake, and Sustainability Director for Consumer Reports. 

To listen to- stories at the intersection of  climate, race and health:

Low income neighborhoods often have fewer trees than wealthier counterparts (Yale Climate Connections)

Minneapolis' Bold Plan To Tackle Racial Inequity And Climate Change (NPR)

Putting Racial Justice First, with Patrick Houston (Hot & Bothered)

Breathing While Black: Structural Racism, Coronavirus, and Pollution Are Part of the Same Problem (The Energy Gang)

Climate Change & Environmental Racism (Flossy Podcast/Canarsie Studios)

To watch:

Webinar Recording: Empowering a Resilient Transit Workforce (Eno)

What’s Happening MoCo?- The P.O.W.E.R Program (County Cable Montgomery)

Webinar Recording: Consumer Protection Issues When Going Solar (DEP, Solar United Neighbors, MC Consumer Protection)

To read:

D.C. Attorney General Sues Fossil Fuel Companies Over ‘Misleading’ Consumers About Climate Change (DCist)

Md., other states push EPA to force stricter pollution standards for Pa. Power plants (WTOP)

Washington has yet to see unhealthful pollution levels this year. That’s a record (Washington Post)

Reports: Solar Energy Can Provide Steady Revenue, Jobs for 29,000 Virginians During Pandemic Recovery (MDV-SEIA)

Maryland Announces Funding for 14 Microgrid Projects (Microgrid Knowledge)

City planners need to talk about race. The lives our residents depend on it (Greater Greater Washington)

Dickerson coal-fired electricity units to shut down (Bethesda Magazine)

MD Bill Aimed at Protecting Workers from Heat Stress (Sun News)