You still have 17 days to participate in Energy Action Month - what are you gonna do?

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Montgomery Energy Connection

Network of customized education on the benefits of energy efficiency, availability of programs, and opportunities for assistance for residents in Montgomery County, MD

Brought to you by DEP Energy

Wednesday, October 14, 2020 | Department of Environmental Protection


energy action month

Energy Action Month Extravaganza

RESIDENTIAL: Another Energy Action Month is upon us and we have been coming up with a ton of different ways to learn how to lower your utility costs and keep money in your pocket. Since September 1991, President George H.W. Bush declared October as National Energy Awareness Month, government and organizations have been working to raise awareness of the importance of sustainably managing the nation’s energy resources. This month long celebration has now become an opportunity for us to encourage residents to take proactive steps to lower their energy usage and their utility bills. Find out how you can participate today


Virtual Quick Home Energy Checkups are Here

pepco

RESIDENTIAL: Pepco home energy check-ups can help you make easy changes to save energy and money. You can now receive either a no-cost virtual appointment or a no-cost traditional, in-person appointment so you can choose what feels right for you. Both types of check-up appointments are provided at no additional cost to your existing Pepco electric service. During the Virtual Appointment, you will answer questions about your home and describe any comfort issues you might have, look at specific items that use energy, like appliances, lighting, and more, and identify small changes you can make in your home to be more energy efficient. Sign up for one today.


Partners in Energy: Shivali Haribhakti

Senior Planet

RESIDENTIAL: One person can make a difference and this series, Partners in Energy, profiles a leader, advocate, or resident who is dedicated to improving energy efficiency and helping the county realize its goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by by 80% by the year 2027 and eliminating GHG emissions by 2035. Find out more about them in their own words. This installment highlights Shivali Haribhakti, Director for Senior Planet Montgomery.  


Montgomery Energy Summit is COMING!

summit

COMMERCIAL: Registration is OPEN for the Virtual 2020 Montgomery County Energy Summit. Taking place completely online, this year’s Summit will feature 3 full days of education sessions, keynote remarks, virtual networking, an online Expo Hall, and a special virtual Energy Roadshow event. The theme for this year’s Summit is “A Path to Zero.” We will explore strategies, technologies, and case studies focused on the commercial, multifamily, and residential built environment that are moving the needle towards achieving the County’s ambitious climate goal of carbon neutrality by 2035. See you there November 17-19, 2020! Learn more at MCEnergySummit.org.


CLEER Program Supports $2 million in Energy Efficiency Projects

glen manor

COMMERCIAL: The Glen Manor Condominiums became the newest property to use the Montgomery County Green Bank’s Commercial Loan for Energy Efficiency and Renewables (CLEER) program to undertake needed energy efficiency improvements. The 32-unit affordable condominium is home to a diverse set of residents that love the property and had determination to find a cost-effective solution to its energy needs. See Press Release for Glen Manor here.


High School Student Designs Climate Education Course for Middle Schoolers

climateedu

COUNTY: Looking for a comprehensive place to find information on climate change and sustainability? Check out @climateduteam and the course they’re designing for MCPS eighth-graders. Meet the Climatedu team, a group of dedicated high school students who have designed a web-based climate education course for middle schoolers. Read more about the program. 


Calling all artists and climate justice activists!

art

COUNTY: Montgomery County is hosting a competition for artwork to be featured in the county’s climate action plan. What photos, drawings, poems, digital art, and memes (yes, we meant it, memes) invoke the need to protect your community from climate change? Help us to harness your creativity to sound the alarm about the climate emergency. learn about the contest. 


Energy News Roundup

Newspapers

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.

Electric Vehicles: With battery prices dropping faster than expected, analysts are moving up projections of when an electric vehicle won’t need government incentives to be cheaper than a gasoline model. This is a huge win for consumers and the environment, www.nytimes.com

Electric Vehicle Fleet: Amazon just revealed its first electric delivery van of a planned 100,000-strong EV fleet — see how it was designed, www.yahoo.com

Nuclear Fusion: Seven studies describe progress thus far and challenges ahead for a revolutionary zero-emissions power source, www.news.mit.edu

Solar Farms: A company called Dakota Power Partners wants to build an 800-acre solar power station on their farm, www.npr.org

Sustainable Neighborhood: A proposal for a new city in China is designed to be as green as possible—and also make it easy to isolate in the case of another outbreak, www.fastcompany.com

Utilities: Utility net-zero carbon pledges are piling up, even if the companies are a long way from kicking their fossil fuel habits, www.greentechmedia.com


Virtual Events: October & November

roadshow

ENERGY ROADSHOW
Thursday, November 19 from 4:00-5:45 pm
This year's Montgomery County Energy Summit is closing out with an online Energy Roadshow! Join us  for this exciting, one-stop event for all things related to energy in the County. The Energy Roadshow is an open house style virtual event with various County departments and community organizations in attendance to help answer all your energy questions. This event is FREE. To register, please visit this page and select the "Roadshow ONLY" ticket. Please note, individuals with Full Summit and Day 3 Passes will automatically be signed up for the Roadshow, and do not need to register separately.

We are excited to share these events with you, if you have an event you would like to add, please email energy@montgomerycountymd.gov

October 5 – 31, 2020
Solar Congress

October 15, 2020
Maryland Clean Energy Center’s 2020 Speaker Series: Ensuring Building Health: Leveraging Technology for Efficient Operation and Safe Environments 

October 15, 2020
How to Apply for ENERGY STAR Tenant Space Recognition

October 15, 2020
Energize with Fifteen in 15 Energy and Trees

October 19 – 23, 2020 
6th Annual DC Sustainability Summit

October 20, 2020
Energize with Fifteen in 15 Energy and Water

October 22, 2020
Maryland Clean Energy Center’s 2020 Speaker Series: Adding Resilience to the Energy Equation 

October 22, 2020
Energize with Fifteen in 15 Energy and Water

October 27, 2020
Energize with Fifteen in 15 Energy and Lawns

October 29, 2020
Maryland Clean Energy Center’s 2020 Speaker Series: Advancing Energy Innovation as an Economic Development Strategy 

October 29, 2020
Energize with Fifteen in 15 Energy and Lawns

November 5, 2020
Maryland Clean Energy Center’s 2020 Speaker Series: The Future of Nuclear Energy 

November 17-19, 2020
Montgomery County Virtual Energy Summit

November 17-18, 2020
Solar Focus 2020: Breaking Ground

November 18, 2020
2020 Capital Region Transportation Forum

November 19, 2020
Revolutionary Power: An Activist’s Guide to the Energy Transition