Energy benchmarking reports are due to DEP by Monday, June 3, 2024. This year, energy benchmarking is required of all commercial and multifamily buildings 25,000 gross square feet and larger. 

There are important changes to the benchmarking process this year. DEP encourages you to review the benchmarking website and comprehensive how-to guide. In case you missed it, you can view a recording of DEP's last benchmarking webinar or sign up for the next benchmarking webinar for multifamily buildings on March 27 at noon. 

As a reminder, If you previously enrolled in whole-building electricity data aggregation through Pepco’s Resource Advisor website, you must re-enroll in Pepco’s new Energy Usage Data System (EUDS) to set up electricity data aggregation and re-sync this feed to Portfolio Manager to continue to access whole-building electricity data. Please start early, Pepco is estimating at least 3-4 weeks processing time. 

As always, the DEP team is available for support. Contact Energy@MontgomeryCountyMD.gov with questions or for assistance. 

The Energy Benchmarking season is well underway and over 100 building owners have already reported. 

DEP would like to acknowledge the first to benchmark and report this year:

First Overall: The Washington DC Temple, a landmark in the DMV area, was the first building to submit its 2024 energy benchmarking report. The temple closed in 2018 to update mechanical and electrical systems, refresh finishes and furnishings, and improve the grounds. Reopening in 2022, the temple now sports LED lights, high efficiency boilers, and chillers and equipment that make the building significantly more energy efficient than before.

First Group 5 Building: For the first time this year, all "Group 5" multifamily buildings in Montgomery County (including condos) between 25,000 and 250,000 square feet must benchmark their energy use with ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager.

Glen Manor Condominiums, reported by PulseIQ, was the first Group 5 property to report. Glen Manor is a 32-unit affordable condominium that also partnered with the Green Bank to implement energy efficiency upgrades including replacement of aging mechanical systems and HVAC piping network.

The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Office of Grants Management (OGM) are soliciting grant applications for the County’s FY 2024 Healthy, Efficient, Electrified, Climate-Adapted Pilot (HEECAP) Homes Grants Program, which aims to retrofit income-eligible houses for energy efficiency, a healthy indoor environment, climate resilience and all-electric appliances. A total of $1,500,000 will be made available to fund awards to eligible nonprofits between $300,000 and $1,500,000 for 12, 18, or 24 months.

The submission deadline is Monday, April 8, 2024 at 11:59 PM.

Montgomery County’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has relaunched its Green Business Certification Program, a voluntary recognition program designed to encourage businesses and other organizations to take steps to reduce their environmental footprint.   

The Green Business Certification takes the form of a continuous sustainable journey. As you implement and document your green practices, your business accrues points towards tiers of recognition. The Environmental Excellence Award will also be awarded to businesses who demonstrate significant progress or dedication to sustainability. 

Visit the program website to learn more or submit a preliminary application to get started.

The Maryland Green Registry is a free and voluntary state program that promotes and recognizes sustainable practices at businesses and organizations of all types and sizes. The program, which is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, includes more than 600 member organizations who collectively are saving $106 million annually through waste reduction, energy and water conservation, and other environmental best practices. To join, organizations share at least five environmental best practices and one measurable result.  In return, members are able to communicate their successes through their online member profiles and receive information and assistance in pushing their programs to the next level.

Each year, the Registry presents the Sustainability Leadership Awards to five member organizations in recognition of their outstanding environmental performance and commitment to continual environmental improvement. The application period runs from April 1 to April 26, 2024 and the form will be posted to the program website.  Note that award applicants must be members of the Maryland Green Registry, but there is plenty of to join prior to the April 26 due date.  Award winners will be recognized at a reception at the State House in early June and will receive recognition through press and social media, and notification to elected officials.

This year's awards present a great opportunity to recognize businesses and organizations that are meeting or close to meeting the state's Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS) or who have moved proactively to electrification of their facility.  Visit Maryland Green Registry website or contact Laura Armstrong at MDE, Laura.Armstrong@maryland.gov for more information.  

Members of HOAs and Condo owners may have an additional layer of permission to obtain in order to go solar. Condominium associations need to follow the Maryland Condo Act in order to sign a lease, and HOA residents need to follow the HOA’s bylaws, which may include filling out a form and installing the solar PV system in a certain way.

Register today for the session on Wednesday, March 20 from 4 to 6 pm for this event geared towards educating Common Ownership Communities (COC) about installing solar easily.

WorkSource Montgomery (WSM) is the county’s fiscal agent responsible for the local workforce development system in Montgomery County, Maryland. WSM connects jobseekers to employers and vice versa. Whether a business is large or small, the team of qualified business solutions representatives and partners are committed to your success. WSM works to close the gap between high-demand career opportunities (like those in the energy field!) and strong qualified talent.

WSM provides Montgomery County employers with a robust set of business services and programs – from apprenticeship and intern opportunities to business grants and subsidies – to help meet the talent needs of today and tomorrow. More information on their business solutions is available on the WSM website.

Check out DEP’s Green Job Portal for open positions in climate and sustainability jobs! Opportunities with DEP include two Engineer III positions in the Watershed Restoration Division's Design & Construction Section and a Program Manager II position in the Recycling and Resource Management Division to join the Zero Waste project management team.