RESIDENTIAL: There are so many benefits of riding a bike, from improving your fitness to being kinder to the planet – but did you know that many benefits of riding a traditional bike can also apply to riding electric bikes, too?

Bike to Work Day is Friday, May 17, 2024. Join us at more than 100 pit stops in DC, MD, and VA for this FREE event for a fun and healthy way to start your day. The first 16,000 who register and attend at a pit stop receive a FREE T-shirt. Free giveaways, food, and beverages at participating locations, while supplies last.

RESIDENTIAL: Electrify MC is a pilot project created to help residents transition from fossil fuels (oil, gas, and propane) in their homes. Electrify MC will provide residents with a one-stop option to help them electrify their homes. There is a Help Desk you can call or email to receive recommendations for electrification information tailored to your needs. If you would like to reduce your monthly utility bills and are concerned about climate and health, it’s time to start planning an all-electric home update. Better indoor air quality, home comfort, and carbon-free living are finally within reach, thanks to the IRA savings calculator and Electrify MC can help get you even closer.

RESIDENTIAL: Do you still have incandescent and compact fluorescent bulbs in your light fixtures? How about in your closets or the attic? Time to swap those out for energy efficient LED bulbs. Illumination Stations are informational events that provide an opportunity to shine a light on ways for people to lower their utility bills, apply for energy assistance, and swap out your inefficient bulbs. Please note, we only have 60W equivalent bulbs to provide and while you can bring us as many as you can find, we only have 3 bulbs available per person. If you would like to swap out more bulbs, we encourage you to schedule a Quick Home Energy Checkup with your utility company.

RESIDENTIAL: Ever thought about putting solar panels on your roof, but found it too difficult or expensive? Now Maryland has an easy, simple solution – Community Solar! This free state program allows PEPCO customers to save about 10% on their electricity costs!! Ampion Renewable Energy has space open for roughly 20 more residents to subscribe to a local solar project. You can claim a spot by signing up here – all you need is a copy of your PEPCO bill. Click here to learn more and sign up today while space remains. 🌞

COUNTY: The Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund is an unprecedented opportunity to accelerate the adoption of greenhouse gas reducing technologies and position the United States to compete and win the 21st century economy. One of the awardees of this funding in the Montgomery County Green Bank. They are seeking a qualified contractor or team of contractors to provide program administration support to the Green Bank for activities associated with implementation of programming under the GGRF. Contractors are welcome to submit proposals as individuals or firms, and for the entirety of the scope or work or individual parts. The submission period is from May 1 – June 30, 2024.

NATIONAL: The U.S. Department of the Treasury (Treasury) launched a website intended to serve as a go-to resource for consumers, businesses, nonprofits, and state, local, and Tribal governments as they wade through IRA’s tax credit policies and guidance. The website includes tax guidance language, tools for consumers to find out how they can benefit from the tax incentives, and graphics detailing IRA’s impact so far. The website includes a link to the Treasury’s IRA Taxpayer Resource Hub, which helps homeowners, small business owners, and vehicle buyers learn about the IRA tax credits that apply to them.

NATIONAL: Homes that meet the Zero Energy Ready Home(ZERH) standard are made up of components and building systems that are carefully designed, constructed, and installed to allow the house to work together as one system, delivering superior performance, comfort, efficiency, and durability. Click on this link to see an interactive graphic that highlights various components included in every ZERH certified home. Building ZERHs is not about spending money on high-tech appliances or super complex renewable energy systems. It’s about attention to detail, a focus on comprehensive construction specifications, and a desire to build homes the way they should be built today. Something to consider if you are making upgrades to your home or building a new one.