The BEPS technical report to inform regulations that will follow Bill 16-21 is now available on DEP's BEPS website. The report contains a review of building stock and energy data, a recommended method for setting building performance standards with a range of possible targets, case studies detailing how different standards can be achieved, and an estimate of the total capital investment to reach the standards and resulting energy and GHG reductions.

DEP and Steven Winter Associates will be briefing County Council's Transportation & Environment Committee on the report during a session on March 14 at 1:30 pm. A work session on Bill 16-21, Environmental Sustainability - Building Energy Use Benchmarking and Performance Standards will follow. Links to watch the session will be available on the Council website.

Calendar year 2021 energy use data for non-residential buildings 50,000 square feet and greater must be reported by June 1, 2022. The 2021 reporting link is now online and open. You must use this link to submit your completed report to the County: **Calendar Year 2021 Reporting Link for All Covered Buildings 50,000 Square Feet and Greater**. Whether you are a pro or new to the benchmarking process, we are here to help!

• Join a webinar with DEP on March 15, April 12, or May 12 at noon for tips on submitting a successful 2021 benchmarking report. 
• To get started now, EPA's three-part benchmarking basics webinar series is a great primer on ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager.
• As always, please contact our benchmarking helpdesk at energy@montgomerycountymd.gov to set up a virtual help session.

The Montgomery County Planning Department, part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), is seeking presentation proposals for its conference Makeover Montgomery 5: Resilient Montgomery, co-sponsored with the University of Maryland’s National Center for Smart Growth. This is the fifth time this conference will take place with a focus on seeking regional ideas to help Montgomery County thrive. The call for session and individual presentation proposals is now open and will close on March 15, 2022. This year’s conference will focus on all aspects of planning for resiliency in the areas of the economy, neighborhoods, infrastructure, and the environment.

Submit a proposal for the Makeover Montgomery 5 Conference or learn more here. The conference will be held in person starting the evening of September 22 with a keynote speaker event at the University of Maryland, College Park followed by in-person sessions on September 23 and 24 at the M-NCPPC headquarters in Wheaton, MD.

Curious about electric leaf blowers and mowers? Interested in an electric car or solar panels for your property? Come to our Go Electric event, March 19 from 10 am to 4 pm, at Montgomery College, North Campus Drive, in. Rockville and learn more! Plus:

• Swap out your incandescent and compact fluorescent lightbulbs for LEDs (up to 3 per person)
• Tour electric cars in person and learn about car charging systems
• Learn about solar charging for your building and installation incentives
• Switch from fossil fuels to sustainable electric sources and save $$

Montgomery County has released its Quarter 2 updates of the Fiscal Year 2022 Climate Work Plan. The updates highlight the progress that is being made to implement actions in the County’s ambitious Climate Action Plan that was unveiled last year. Through the second quarter of FY22, the County has made progress on dozens of actions to help reach the goals of the plan.

The My Green Montgomery Green Jobs Board will help you find green jobs in our region. Check out DEP’s Green Job Portal for open climate, energy, and sustainability positions! 

Local News

State Bills: After Amendments, Climate Bill Passes Senate Committee, While House Bill Faces Resistance at Hearing (Maryland Matters)

State Bills: Here Are Three Smaller Climate Bills That Could Have a Big Impact (Maryland Matters)

Codes: Modern Building Codes Slash Energy Costs, Boost Resiliency (Route Fifty)

Net Zero: Net Zero Energy Schools Raise Bar on Green Construction Statewide (Maryland Matters)

Climate: Hundreds Of Natural Gas Leaks In D.C. Contribute To Climate Change (DCist)

Solar: Fees from Pepco put solar panels out of reach, D.C. residents say (Washington Post)

Utility: Dominion Energy Broadens Net Zero Commitments (PR Newswire)

Other News

Electrification: How to Move Toward All-Electric Buildings (FacilitiesNet)

Saving Energy: Facility Managers Target Energy Hogs to Cut Electricity Bills (Environment + Energy Leader)

Renewable Energy: US energy transition in 2021 a ‘beacon of hope’ for the future – report (Smart Energy International)

Workforce: The sustainability talent you’re looking for, it’s in your operations department (GreenBiz)