Wednesday, June 15, 2022 | Montgomery Energy Connection
RESIDENTIAL: Now is your chance to join over 300 of your neighbors in Maryland, DC, and Virginia to go solar as part of the Capital Area Solar Co-op. Co-op members leverage bulk-purchasing power to get discounted pricing and a quality installation, while still signing individual contracts that ensure the right system for their home. Not only that but Montgomery County residents can apply for Renewable Energy Financing through Montgomery County Greenbank – you can learn more by attending the virtual presentation on Friday, June 17, 2022, at 12 p.m.
RESIDENTIAL: Energy Express is a summer event for kids and families to learn about energy usage. And for the first time since 2019, it is happening IN PERSON! Set sail on a treasure hunt towards energy savings with this year’s Summer Reading theme, “Oceans of Possibilities.” On board, our young crewmates will explore different energy sources and make smart decisions to power our ship (and our homes). Our adventure will be led by high school students from the P.O.W.E.R (Peer Outreach With Energy Resources) program who have worked all year to prepare this interactive energy story.
|
RESIDENTIAL: As the days get warmer, we want to remind you that your thermostat setting is important. ENERGY STAR, a program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy, said people should set their thermostat to 78 degrees when they are home and need cooling in an effort to save energy during the spring and summer.
The best way to do that is with a programmable thermostat which can purchase from your utilities’ marketplace! Did you know that these existed? There is one for Pepco, BGE, and Potomac Edison – and not only are the devices less expensive to purchase but the rebate is taken off instantly – no waiting for a check or anything!
|
RESIDENTIAL: Residents of Takoma Park can now borrow a portable induction cooktop to see what all the hype is about. Cooktops are available to check out, for up to two weeks. The City encourages the use of induction cooktops to meet our 2035 net-zero emissions goals. Induction stoves, unlike gas stoves, use electricity (learn how to get 100 percent renewable electricity) and emit no on-site greenhouse gases. A reduction in the level of greenhouse gases is beneficial not just for the City’s climate goals, but also for your respiratory health. Prolonged exposure to indoor air pollution, especially emissions related to cooking, can worsen asthma in those who have the disease and increase the risk of childhood asthma. You can call 301-891-7633 to check if a cooktop is available or join the waiting list for one.
|
RESIDENTIAL: When is it right to get a Dehumidifier? Humidity may be good to help keep your curly hair curly, but it is not good for your home! As you probably know, absolute humidity levels change along with the temperature and seasons. In the summer, the air contains more moisture, and in the winter, it contains much less moisture. Research shows that the ideal relative humidity for your home is between 40%-60%. However, to discourage the growth and spread of mold, levels should be kept below 50%. But, again, adjust this to match your comfort levels.
When the humidity is too high in your home, you’re probably going to notice the effects. Check out ENERGY STAR to find dehumidifier right for you. Through the EmPOWER Maryland program, you can also receive rebates up to $30 for ENERGY STAR dehumidifiers. Check with BGE and Pepco for those rebates.
|
COMMERCIAL: Looking for a quick and easy way to reduce energy in your buildings this summer? Building Tune-up, a program of EmPOWER Maryland, ensures your equipment is operating at peak performance, helping you conserve energy, save money, and extend the life of existing equipment. Shan Gordon from MD Energy Savers shared some quick tips in this blog post.
|
COUNTY: Maryland’s First Comprehensive Building Decarbonization Legislation was introduced at the County Council on June 14. The bill aims to accelerate an evolution already underway across the country and right here in Montgomery County of the building sector moving towards 100% electric-powered systems. Instead of systems that rely on the combustion of fossil fuels (e.g., natural gas furnaces and boilers), fully electric buildings take advantage of market-available technologies (e.g., heat pumps, electric water heating, electric cooking) that are cleaner, more energy-efficient, and cost-effective. The bill does not itself create the all-electric standards but codifies a process for when they must be issued and sets framework around inclusions and exemptions. The legislation requires the all-electric standards for new construction and major renovations to be developed during the next building code adoption cycle and to be issued by January 1, 2024. All-electric building standards are a crucial step for the County to achieve its zero-greenhouse gas emissions goal through ensuring future construction is electrified.
|
The My Green Montgomery Green Jobs Board will help you find green jobs in our region. We post jobs for free that are green jobs (focused on energy, sustainability, water, trees, community greening, environmental education, etc.) and based in the DC or Baltimore regions. Jobs in Montgomery County or easy for our residents to commute to work!
Here are some current openings to get you started:
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.
Energy is all around us and there is a lot happening in the world. We have compiled some interesting stories and articles to share with you. These stories will LINK you to what energy stories are happening in the world.
Cat Litter and Climate Change: A mineral used as a drying agent in air purifiers and cat litter could soon be used to clean up one of humanity's nastiest messes – climate change, www.foxweather.com
Clean Energy: President Biden takes bold executive action to spur domestic clean energy manufacturing to lower energy costs, strengthen power grid, and create good-paying jobs, www.whitehouse.gov
Climate Change: Climate change could bring more rain and higher temperatures, reshaping the way people live in Montgomery County, www.bethesdamagazine.com
Electric Bikes: While eBike and eScooter production does have a carbon footprint, it’s far less than any emissions you’d get driving a car, check out these recommendations, www.thegoodtrade.com
Electrical Grid: Energy experts tell CNN that some power grid operators are not considering in their plans how the climate crisis is causing more extreme weather, www.cnn.com
Fusion: Fusion promises a virtually limitless form of energy that, unlike fossil fuels, emits zero greenhouse gases and, unlike the nuclear fission power used today, produces no long-life radioactive waste, www.cnn.com
Hydropower: Hydropower is by far the largest renewable worldwide, producing over twice as much energy as wind, and over four times as much as solar. But in spite of hydropower’s outsize impact, we don’t hear much about it in the U.S., why: www.cnbc.com
National Defense: Through the Defense Production Act, President Joe Biden proclaimed that solar panels, heat pumps and hydrogen are all building blocks of a clean energy economy, www.route-fifty.com
Solar Farm: Summit Ridge Energy (SRE) and Cedar Ridge Community Church completed a 2.5 MWdc community solar project in the County that will provide hundreds of subscribed households with lower monthly energy costs, www.solarpowerworldonline.com
Solar Panels: Ikea, the iconic purveyor of easy-to-assemble furniture and Swedish meatballs, is expanding into an unexpected market: solar panels, www.curbed.com
Capital Area Solar Coop Maryland Info Session featuring Montgomery County Green Bank Friday, June 17 @ 12 pm - 1:15 pm
Make Energy Cents in Mandarin Thursday, June 16 @ 7:30 - 8:30 pm
💡 Senior Planet in Montgomery County 6 Year Anniversary Celebration! Friday, June 17 @ 12:00 - 2:00 pm
Energy Express - Olney Library Tuesday, June 28 @ 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Energy Express - Aspen Hill Library Tuesday, June 28 @ 2:00 - 3:00 pm
Energy Express - Germantown Library Thursday, June 30 @ 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Energy Express - Quince Orchard Library Thursday, June 30 @ 2:00 - 3:00 pm
Ask an EV Owner Wednesday, July 1 @7:30 pm
Energy Express - White Oak Library Thursday, July 7 @ 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Energy Express - Silver Spring Library Thursday, July 7 @ 2:00 - 3:00 pm
Energy Express - Chevy Chase Library Tuesday, July 12 @ 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Energy Express - Connie Morella Library Tuesday, July 12 @ 2:00 - 3:00 pm
Energy Express - Marilyn Praisner Library Thursday, July 14 @ 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Energy Express - Long Branch Library Thursday, July 14 @ 2:00 - 3:00 pm
Capital Area Solar Co-op Round 2: Maryland Virtual Informational Session Thursday, July 14 @ 6:00 - 7:15 pm
Energy Express - Gaithersburg Library Tuesday, July 19 @ 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Energy Express - Damascus Library Wednesday, July 20 @2:00 - 3:00 pm
|