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Wednesday, May 10, 2023 | Department of Environmental Protection
Only three more weeks until the June 1 benchmarking deadline. Commercial buildings 25,000 gross square feet and larger (Group 1, 2, and 3) and multifamily buildings 250,000 gross square feet and larger (Group 4) must benchmarking and report calendar year 2022 energy benchmarking reports to DEP.
If you are still working on completing your benchmarking report, please take note of these resources:
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Benchmarking How-To Guide: Provides step-by-step instructions with screenshots on how to create an ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager account, set up your property, add utility data, and report to DEP. Please note that for a successful report you will need:
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Data Verification Guide: Someone with an "accepted verification credential" must verify the benchmarking report the first year reporting and every three years thereafter.
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Green Bank Technical Assistance: This program can connect property owners with a service provider to benchmark and verify and can provide financial support to help cover the costs. Learn more in this blog post. The Green Bank can also support more in depth energy audits and feasibility studies.
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Claim My Building Form: Add your contact information to your covered building so that we can more easily reach out with reminders and updates.
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Exemption/Waiver Form: If you believe your building may qualify for an exemption or waiver, please review the criteria and submit a request using this form.
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Extension Request Form: Extensions of 15 and 30 days are available if you need more time to comply.
As always, if you need support as you complete your energy benchmarking and reporting, please contact Energy@MontgomeryCountyMD.gov.
Montgomery County, in partnership with the Montgomery County Green Bank, unveiled the County’s largest rooftop solar project on a multi family property during Earth Week. Governor Wes Moore joined County Executive Marc Elrich and members of the community in showcasing the work on this project, which is now underway and scheduled to be finished soon. The project will help hundreds of families at the Seneca Village apartments switch to green energy affordably, helping lower their energy bills and help our planet at the same time.
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The Climate Solutions Now Act of 2022 requires that the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) develop Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS). MDE must develop standards for buildings that, among other requirements, achieve:
- A 20% reduction in net direct greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by January 1, 2030, as compared with 2025 levels for average buildings of similar construction and;
- Net-zero direct GHG emissions by January 1, 2040.
Covered buildings are buildings in Maryland that are 35,000 square feet or larger (excluding the parking garage area). Historic properties, public and nonpublic elementary and secondary schools, manufacturing buildings, and agricultural buildings are exempt. Owners of covered buildings will need to report data to MDE each year beginning in 2025.
MDE will share its draft regulation with stakeholders to receive input and improve the draft regulation before proposing it to AQCAC in September. The draft regulation will be posted to the MDE BEPS webpage on Monday, May 15, 2023 with instructions for how to provide written comment and feedback on the regulation by June 5, 2023.
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The WSIZ team is offering a series of business fundamentals and sustainability workshops for Montgomery County business leaders and entrepreneurs.
Upcoming workshops include:
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Getting Green Certified | Thursday, May 11th, 11am - 12:30pm (online)
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Learn from Green Entrepreneurs | Tuesday, May 16th, 12pm - 1:30pm (in-person)
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Marketing Your Story | Thursday, May 18th, 12pm-1:30pm (online)
This series is free and open to all Montgomery County businesses. Register here or reach out to info@wsizmd.org with any questions.
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The Montgomery County Green Bank announced that Stephen Morel has been appointed the new Chief Executive Officer. Stephen Morel, who has been serving as the Green Bank’s Chief Investment Officer since 2019, will succeed Tom Deyo, the Green Bank’s inaugural Chief Executive Officer.
As Chief Investment Officer over the past three years, Morel developed the Green Bank’s investment strategy and catalyzed clean energy investment into the County by over $30 million. Under his leadership, the Green Bank now offers flexible financing options to accommodate complex financing needs.
Read the full press release.
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One year after Climate Solutions Now Act, [MD] lawmakers focus on passing smaller climate bills: Offshore wind, EVs, big winners of 2023 legislative session. (Maryland Matters)
Solar on Warehouses: The rooftops of American warehouses built before 2019 have the potential to generate enough electricity to power almost 19.4 million average homes. (Environment America)
How the Inflation Reduction Act is Accelerating Energy Projects: Updates to 179D tax deductions and the Investment Tax Credit can bring big savings (Facilities Net).
Report: Majority of Real Estate Agents Believe in Promoting Energy Efficiency in Listings: 63% of agents and brokers agree that promoting energy efficiency in listings offers value and transparency when it comes to sustainability. (Environment+Energy Leader)
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May 10 - May 11 | Electric Power Research Institute
26th Energy and Climate Research Seminar
May 10, 11 am - 1 pm | Montgomery County DEP
Building Performance Improvement Board Meeting
May 10, 6 - 8 pm | Maryland Matters and UMBC
Climate Calling: A Community Conversation
May 11, 8:30 - 10:30 am | USGBC NCR
Powering the Future - DC Solar Regulations and Implementation
May 18, 12 - 1 pm | AIA PV & Potomac Edison
The Nuance of Net-Zero: Why It's Not Enough
May 24, 11 am - 1 pm | Montgomery County DEP
Building Performance Improvement Board Meeting
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