To help implement the Montgomery County Climate Action Plan, Montgomery College is renewing its efforts to advance a multi-campus submetering project. Tracking the amount of thermal energy going into the three main campuses will allow for efficient data collection of patterns, trends, and excessive energy usage. The College hopes this effort will drive low-cost solutions to decrease energy consumption. Germantown and Takoma Park have already completed submetering, and the Rockville campus is currently in the process. Read more about theproject, submetering,and its ability to save energy here.

Montgomery Parks recently converted from high-pressure sodium lamps to LEDs at the South Germantown Recreational Park. Not only is this more efficient and requires less maintenance, but this transition leads to a 90% reduction in energy compared to the original power level. The park has grown immensely over the years as one of the most equipped recreation areas in the county, and this switch to more efficient energy is a huge step in the right direction for supporting the effort to combat climate change. Discover more about the project here.

October is Energy Action Month! Montgomery Energy Connection and Montgomery Public Libraries are offering the opportunity to exchange inefficient light bulbs for more energy efficient ones. Learn more about Energy Action Month here to find out how you can use less energy and save money!

In alignment with Montgomery County’s resilience goals, the County is making immense strides with a new, integrated microgrid and electric bus charging infrastructure project that will be built and operational by mid-2022. This project for Montgomery County Department of Transportation’s RideOn Electric Bus Fleet at Brookville Smart Energy Bus Depot aims to reduce dependence on fossil fuels while also making sure public facilities are resilient. The project is being completed in partnership with AlphaStruxure, a leader in Energy as a Service solutions. This brings the county closer to electrifying buses and is a step toward reaching the 2035 goal to reduce all carbon emissions. Read about this project here. 

A state law passed earlier this year will allow Montgomery County to establish a Community choice energy program, a key strategy outlined in the Climate Action Plan. Community choice energy is a program that will allow counties to combine the “electric loads” of residents and small businesses, to help negotiate for better rates when buying power from renewable sources, like solar or wind. Read the news coverage on the community choice energy program here.

County Executives from four Maryland jurisdictions came together to discuss how to plan for and respond to climate disasters and encourage residents to educate themselves on climate issues. This took place less than a month after the remnants of Hurricane Ida made its way through Annapolis and overwhelmed parts of Maryland with floods. The County Executives shared actions their jurisdictions are taking to combat the climate emergency. County Executive Elrich suggests updating stormwater systems and finding a governor committed to funding the county’s climate action plans, Anne Arundel will develop a way to make public transportation more accessible, Baltimore County intends to introduce a tree equity program, and Howard County has already designed an anaerobic machine that digests waste. For the news coverage of this event, read more here.

Sandra L. Brecher who represents the Montgomery County Department of Transportation as a member of the Climate Planning Team talks about her experience on the team, recent progress, and shares advice on how people can get involved with the cause. This article outlines how Montgomery County has recently tackled climate change, her favorite parts of working with the Climate Team, and helpful resources and ways to participate to help make a difference. Read the full interview here.