Stop by GreenFest in the City to swap out those 💡💡💡

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This monthly newsletter is a way to distribute and transmit all things energy-related to our community.

Montgomery Energy Connection is a network of County Government and community partners. Created to provide customized education on the benefits of energy efficiency, availability of programs, and opportunities for assistance.

Wednesday, April 19, 2023 | Montgomery Energy Connection


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💡 Don’t Miss GreenFest this Weekend!

RESIDENTIAL: It is almost here! This Sunday, April 23 from 12pm-5pm Montgomery Energy Connection will be at Montgomery County GreenFest in the City at Marian Fryer Town Plaza in Wheaton. This event will address how residents can “green” their home and daily commute. Topics covered at this event will include energy consumption, home and appliance efficiency, recycling, transportation, electric vehicles, and green business initiatives. That means we will be swapping out your incandescent and compact fluorescent bulbs for LEDs so stop by to get rid of those bulbs and to learn about other ways to make your home more energy efficient. There is also GreenFest in the Gardens happening on Saturday at Brookside Gardens from 11:00 am – 4:00 pm.

Green Fest 2023

Smart Thermostats for $1???

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RESIDENTIAL: In honor or Earth Month (April) and Energy Action Month (October) the utility companies often offer discounts on items through their Marketplace.The marketplace is an online store that facilitates the purchase of energy-saving products and services while offering instant rebates at the point of sale for certain products. Each of the utility companies that serve Montgomery County have these marketplaces, you must have an account with the company to purchase the items, here are the quick links to each Marketplace:


Breaking Down the Inflation Reduction Act.

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RESIDENTIAL: RMI, an independent, non-partisan, nonprofit organization of experts across disciplines working to accelerate the clean energy transition and improve lives, has created a sortable and filterable list for stakeholders big and small built off the list of Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funding programs published by the White House as a complement to its IRA Guidebook. Learn more and download the spreadsheet. The Climate Reality Project partnered with Rewiring America to create a YouTube video explaining the individual incentives available through IRA and it is super helpful.

Do you have questions about the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) tax incentives and rebates in Maryland? The Maryland Energy Administration has launched an informational webpage as well as set up an email address for all public questions. To learn more about the Inflation Reduction Act residential rebate program in Maryland, visit the webpage or email for specific questions: federal.mea@maryland.gov


Looking for a New Electric Car?

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RESIDENTIAL: All-electric, plug-in hybrid, and fuel cell electric vehicles purchased new in 2023 or after may be eligible for a federal income tax credit of up to $7,500. There is a new website that can help you filter to find out which cars are eligible. Additionally, the Montgomery County EV Purchasing Co-op (EVPC) works with local dealerships to highlight incentives and discounts that will save residents money to purchase or lease new and pre-owned electric vehicles (EVs). And, don’t forget to make the pledge today to go electric so you will learn about updates and incentives first hand! .


Solar Panels Help Businesses Lower Costs

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COMMERCIAL: DEP spoke with Craig Pardini, CSAAC’s Director of Infrastructure Operations, about their numerous solar installations. CSAAC manages 3 commercial campuses and 76 residential group homes in Montgomery County and has developed ground-mount and rooftop solar projects.  The ground-mount system at the Jane Salzano Center for Autism provides 100% of electricity for the 37,000 square foot building and 10 residential group homes. With their current solar systems and three new systems in the works, most of CSAAC’s locations will be powered by offset by the energy from the sun, freeing up money that can be used throughout CSAAC in other program areas.


Rockville Waives Green Permit Fees for April

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COUNTY: To commemorate Earth Month, Rockville is waiving permit fees for certain environmentally friendly home improvements, including solar photovoltaic panel installations, electric vehicle charging stations and energy-efficient heating and cooling systems, such as heat pumps. Applications must be submitted by Sunday, April 30 at www.mygovernmentonline.org.


4th Grade STEM Class Creates Energy Savers Plan

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SCHOOLS: After studying energy, creating energy-related inventions, conducting audits and analyses, and more 4th-grade STEM students at Washington Episcopal School developed an energy conservation project for their community named the Energy Savers Plan. Montgomery County’s Department of Environmental Protection supported the students learning through educational resources and materials. The students educated and inspired their school community to turn off lights, unplug devices, and practice other sustainable energy practices. They also provided sign reminders to classrooms and socket adapters with easy one-click power shut-off switches to reduce energy waste. We are proud of these young change-makers in our community.


A carbon footprint calculator for MCPS schools

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SCHOOLS: Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) is the largest school district in Maryland and among the largest in the US. To benefit the community and raise awareness of climate change, Rishi S. Iyer is a student at Thomas S. Wootton High School (Class of 2024) created a website to inform MCPS about their carbon footprint, there is a ton more on the blog post about this project.  


2023 Climate and Energy Leadership Awards Program

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REGION: The Climate and Energy Leadership Awards Program is a program that first launched on Earth Day in 2014 by COG’s Air and Climate Public Advisory Committee as a way to highlight projects and programs that address climate issues in the region. Application period is open from April 22 – June 30, 2023. The Air and Climate Public Advisory Committee or for short ACPAC set out to recognize these efforts in 3 sectors:

  • Government Agency (includes local, state, regional, quasi-govt, utilities, or authorities);
  • Non-Governmental Organization (non-profit, citizen, or community-based groups) and
  • Educational Institution from K through 12, public, private, and university level.

For more information including how to nominate or complete an application, visit www.mwcog.org/climateawards or email lboggs@mwcog.org. 


Job Board

Current Jobs

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 ed, etc.) and based in the DC or Baltimore regions. Jobs in Montgomery County or easy for our residents to commute to work!

We pre-approve each job before posting, but we do not guarantee the length of time jobs will be posted. All new job opportunities are listed on our Job Board.


Energy News

The News Roundup

Climate Comedy: Climate change is increasingly featured in television dramas and apocalyptic thrillers. Now comedians, from those in our Climate Comedy Cohort to high-profile acts like Michelle Wolf and Joel Kim Booster, are also taking on the climate crisis, www.teenvogue.com 

Energy: Visualizing Energy, a new data-driven, online resource that communicates scientific information about the link between sustainable energy and human well-being to decision-makers, media, companies, advocates, educators, and the public, www.niche-canada.org

IRA: By utilizing the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) incentives, Americans will bring billions of dollars in benefits to their communities, saving money at the household level, creating local jobs and fighting the climate crisis with every heat pump installed, www.rewiringamerica.org

Solar: New labels will help buyers of solar modules have an easier time selecting modules produced with lower levels of embodied carbon, www.renewableenergyworld.com

Wind: Explore world wind power capacity added in 2020, www.visualizingenergy.org


upcoming events

Watts Up?

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Gaithersburg Green Drinks

A Speaker Series to Help You Electrify Everything
Thursday, April 27th from 6:00 - 8:00 PM 
Saints Row Craft Collective, 5 Fulks Corner Avenue, Suite 101-102, Gaithersburg, MD 20877

This month we will focus on 3 Quick Steps to Electrify Your Home, stop by to learn more about these steps.Â