The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced its selection of the Coalition for Green Capital (CGC) for an award from the National Clean Investment Fund (NCIF).

The Montgomery County Green Bank is a member of the Coalition for Green Capital (CGC), which has been granted $5 billion by the EPA.

The Montgomery County Green Bank plans to use the funding for growing green bank programming in three main areas:

• Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS) Readiness and Energize Multifamily Programs to support building decarbonization.
• Solar Power Purchase Agreement and Access Solar programs to support distributed clean energy.
• EV Charging Infrastructure program to help grow electric vehicle adoption.

These programs will be deployed with a large focus on benefiting low income and disadvantaged communities in order to promote a just transition to a clean economy.

Join the 200+ buildings already in compliance with energy benchmarking requirements! This year, energy benchmarking is required of all commercial and multifamily buildings 25,000 gross square feet and larger. Energy benchmarking reports are due to DEP by Monday, June 3, 2024. 

There are important changes to the benchmarking process this year. DEP encourages you to review the benchmarking website and comprehensive how-to guide.

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. 

County Executive Marc Elrich is seeking applicants to fill 11 vacancies on the Climate, Energy, and Air Quality Advisory Committee (CEAQAC). All members must be technically knowledgeable and interested in climate change, energy, and air quality, and individuals with professional experience, education, and knowledge in these fields are particularly encouraged to apply. All members must be Montgomery County residents. Seven incumbents are eligible to apply for reappointment.

The deadline for application is April 22, 2024. To apply please visit the website, click “Apply for Committee”, complete the online form and attach a resume and cover letter describing your relevant expertise and interest in joining the committee.

Check out DEP’s Green Job Portal for open positions in climate and sustainability jobs! Highlighted opportunities this month include several with the Maryland Energy Administration including:

• Energy Program Manager – Commercial Building Decarbonization and Electrification
  
• Energy Program Manager, Energy Efficiency and Electrification
  
• Energy Program Manager, Solar
  

Local News

2023 Marks Robust Investment in Montgomery County, MD (Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation)

New Federal Funding for Clean Energy and Climate Solutions on its Way to Montgomery County Green Bank (Montgomery County)

Enviros sound alarm over new budget amendment on clean building standards (Maryland Matters)

Other News

Overview: Renewable Energy Certificates (Smart Energy Decisions)

How Google closes clean energy deals in as little as 2 months (GreenBiz)

The 1970's Energy Crisis Shined a Spotlight on Facility Management (Facilities Net)

Rooftop heat pump technologies can save US businesses $5B annually: DOE (Utility Dive)

Empowering Small to Medium Enterprises Towards Energy-Efficient Operations (Environment + Energy Leader)