The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) is creating the Maryland Clean Buildings Hub (the Hub) to serve as a free, one-stop-shop containing relevant information and resources, such as federal, state, and local building decarbonization incentives. The Hub also will provide a list of qualified local vendors that can deliver building decarbonization technologies and solutions, catalyze peer learning networks, and provide educational programming.

MEA is seeking feedback from Maryland’s building community - i.e. owners/operators representing buildings covered by the state building energy performance standards (BEPS) as well as those not covered by the BEPS - on the types of resources that will help them take action to reduce on-site energy use and GHG emissions. This data will help MEA understand market needs, which will in turn help shape the Hub’s scope and strategy.

If you have further questions, please submit your inquiry to building.decarbonization@maryland.gov or sign up for MEA's newsletter to stay informed on updates. 

Hampshire Tower Apartments, established in 1967, is a 216–unit high rise, fully affordable multifamily building located in Takoma Park, MD. Hampshire is electrifying the HVAC systems, installing a 159kW solar PV system, and establishing a Resilience Hub.

The Hampshire Tower Apartments project marks a milestone as the Green Bank’s largest investment facilitated to date at a total cost of $16.4 million (of which the Green Bank is set to provide a $4.5 million loan). The contractor for this project is ETS (an Orlo Company) in conjunction with Era Building Solutions.

The project includes a major gas-to-electric HVAC system conversion and other energy upgrades such as integration of in-unit heat pumps that dramatically improve building energy performance, aligning with the County’s Climate Action Plan (CAP). Moreover, Hampshire will become the first privately owned Resilience Hub in the County due to its central location, its adjacency to five Equity Emphasis Area tracts, and its high concentration of low-to-moderate income residents.

Read more about the building electrification and solar installation.

Check out DEP’s Green Job Portal for open positions in climate and sustainability jobs! Opportunities include several openings to come work with us at DEP:

• Intergovernmental Relations Legislative Analyst (State Energy and Climate Policy) | Open Until Filled
• Program Manager I (BEPS Stakeholder Engagement) | Open Until Filled
• Planning Specialist III (Flood Programs) | Apply by February 5th
• Program Manager I (MS4 IDDE) | Open Until Filled

Local News

New Program Targets Carbon Emissions Reductions in Maryland Public Schools (Environment + Energy Leader)

Maryland Advances in Climate Goals with Comprehensive Electrification Study (Southern Maryland Chronicle) 

Climate commission report sets guidelines for aggressive state action (Maryland Matters)

Analysis: State’s climate plan is comprehensive but lacks short-term legislative strategy (Maryland Matters)

D.C. region sets ‘ambitious’ goal for rooftop solar (Virginia Mercury)

Other News

Strong policy progress on energy efficiency seen in 2023, but meeting climate goals means moving faster (IEA)

A Brighter and More Efficient Tomorrow: Major 2023 Savings Fuel 2024 Ambitions (ACEEE)

10 questions to ask if you want to get a heat pump (Canary Media)

Energy Poverty is a Rising Issue. The IRA Can Help (Environment + Energy Leader)