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:

• BGE: https://www.bgemarketplace.com/
• Pepco: https://secure.pepco.com/marketplace/
• Potomac Edison: https://marketplace.energysavenj.com/

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

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! .

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.

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.

SCHOOLS: After studying energy, creating energy-related inventions, conducting audits and analyses, and more 4^th-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.

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.  

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. 

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.