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JULY, 2024
IN THIS ISSUE:
A letter from Montgomery County's Climate Change Officer, Sarah Kogel-Smucker
What do you like about riding the bus? For me, it's the ability to respond to emails during my trip and getting those extra steps in walking to and from bus stops. As Climate Change Officer, I am excited about the County's commitment to advance to a zero emission transit fleet. The County’s 2021 Climate Action Plan envisions a significant shift by 2035: reducing private vehicle ridership from 75% to 60% of total trips and doubling the number of bus trips. By then, all buses will be zero-emission vehicles.
Recently, the County took two huge steps toward reaching this vision. First, the County released a Zero Emission Bus Transition Plan that lays out how the county can transform its entire bus fleet to zero emission vehicles by 2033. The Zero Emission Bus Transition Plan charts key milestones and takes an in depth look at funding, clean charging infrastructure needs, and emerging technology to model a timely fleet transition process. This is a live document that represents a snapshot in time; it will be updated continuously as the County reaches milestones and technology and industry conditions progress.
We’re already on our way. The Ride On bus system currently operates 14 electric vehicles, which charge at the solar microgrid at the Brookeville Bus Depot in Silver Spring. This depot uses clean energy and features backup battery storage and a microgrid configuration to maintain power if the grid goes down. Additionally, the county has contracted to purchase 100 more electric buses over the next three years.
Last week, the county broke ground on the David F. Bone Equipment Maintenance and Transit Operations Center (EMTOC) Microgrid, a key part of the bus transition. This project will support the charging capacity of up to 35 electric buses as well as provide renewable energy to power the production of green hydrogen gas to fuel the 13 Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Buses (FCEB) the county will purchase as part of a Federal Low or No Emissions grant. An energy as a service company, Alphastruxure, is building the microgrid in exchange for the county purchasing solar energy from them. There is no upfront cost to the County for what will be the Nation’s largest renewable energy powered zero-emission depot. See some great coverage of the groundbreaking below. Huge kudos to the many county staff and partners working to make this project a success.
The clean energy bus transition is well underway. Hop on your local bus and become part of this climate solution!
 
Local climate news and updates from Montgomery County, the State of Maryland, and around the DMV.
Montgomery County, In the News:
This D.C. Suburb Is Planning the Country's Most Ambitious Clean Transit Effort
 Credit: Axis
A Maryland county just north of Washington, D.C., is embarking on an ambitious effort to provide clean, sustainable public transit — even to the point of installing a microgrid for its own electricity and hydrogen fuel production.
Why it matters: Self-sufficient energy systems, or microgrids, are emerging as an important clean energy tool for communities, businesses and government agencies.
Driving the news: Under Montgomery County's plan, an existing transit center near Rockville will become the nation's largest self-sustaining bus depot.
Between the lines: Around 75% of the new buses will be powered by hydrogen fuel cells because they have a longer range and can refuel faster than battery-electric models.
Read more on Axios
Governor Moore Signs Executive Order to Advance Maryland’s Pollution Reduction Plan
Credit: Inside Climate News
This month in an important move towards environmental sustainability, Governor Wes Moore signed an executive order intended to advance Maryland’s Climate Pollution Reduction Plan, the most ambitious greenhouse gas reduction goals of any state with an objective to achieve net-zero emissions by 2045.
This executive action addresses environmental pollution head-on, underscoring Maryland's commitment to mitigating the impacts of climate change. Governor Moore's strategy addresses major sources of pollution including transportation, energy, and industry.
The order also emphasizes a near immediate modification in the burning of fossil fuels, a major source of greenhouse gas emissions of the state as a whole. Moore tasked the Maryland Energy Administration (MDE) to establish a clean energy standard to achieve 100% clean electricity in Maryland by 2035, one of Moore’s original campaign pledges.
Read more in Inside Climate News
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Maryland Officials Urged Residents to Prepare Ahead of Recent ‘Excessive Heat Watch’ Weekend
State officials are warning Marylanders to stay cool and protect family and neighbors from “preventable” heat-related sicknesses, such as heat stroke, as temperatures are expected to climb to nearly 100 degrees this weekend and could feel even hotter. Shortly after noon Friday, the National Weather Service issued a “heat advisory” for most of the state for the weekend. The agency also issued an “excessive heat watch” for northeast Maryland with “dangerously hot conditions” expected.
Read more in Maryland Matters
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National and international climate change news that affects life in the U.S. and beyond.
Billions of People Just Felt the Deadly Intensity of Climate-Fueled Heat Waves
 Source: The Washington Post
Scorching heat across five continents set 1,400 records this week and showed how human-caused global warming has made catastrophic temperatures commonplace.
The scorching heat across five continents in recent days, scientists say, provided yet more proof that human-caused global warming has so raised the baseline of normal temperatures that once-unthinkable catastrophes have become commonplace.
The suffering came despite predictions that a year-long surge of global heat might soon begin to wane. Billions felt heat with climate change-fueled intensity that broke more than 1,000 temperature records around the globe.
Read more in The Washington Post
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Climate Crisis Driving Exponential Rise in Most Extreme Wildfires
Scientists warn of ‘scary’ feedback loop in which fires create more heating, which causes more fires worldwide. The climate crisis is driving an exponential rise in the most extreme wildfires in key regions around the world, research has revealed.
The wildfires can cause catastrophic loss of human life, property and wildlife and cause billions of dollars of damage. Scientists say this is climate change “playing out in front of our eyes”.
Read more in The Guardian
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American Solar Panel Manufacturing Capacity Increases 71% in Q1 2024 as Industry Reaches 200-GW Milestone
A record-setting 11 GW of new solar module manufacturing capacity came online in the U.S. during Q1 2024, the largest quarter of solar manufacturing growth in American history.
According to the U.S. Solar Market Insight Q2 2024 report released today by the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and Wood Mackenzie, total U.S. solar module manufacturing capacity now exceeds 26 GW annually.
Read more on WoodMac.com
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 This month we hear from Eco MoCo. In their words:
Eco MoCo is a nation-wide student-led environmental 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded by Lumina Zhang (Winston Churchill High School, 12th grade) and Peter Boyko (Northwest High School, 11th grade). Back in April of 2022, the two passionate environmentalists came together with a vision for a student-led organization in Montgomery County that would focus on sustainability—especially since there was nothing of the sort. Eco MoCo is led by students that prioritized building leadership skills in youth across the nation through environmental education, advocacy, and stewardship.
Unfortunately, a safe, clean future is becoming more and more fragile and we (youth) are the generation that will face its severity the most intensely. So, we are determined to take a stand and rise up to empower a new generation of student leaders, all fighting for a greener future. However, to reach a larger platform to truly see a greater impact Eco MoCo chapters were created as an opportunity for students all over the nation to become environmental warriors. If you are a student and are interested in starting a chapter, we highly encourage you to apply here.
Eco MoCo just wrapped up its second year and within two years, we have accomplished and learned a lot. We’ve organized trash pick-ups, hosted recycled art events, put together engaging climate education presentations for young children, and partnered with grassroots organizations to pass milestone legislation, including Bill 13-22 which was a county electrification bill. Our Executive Board, has also grown to a staggering level, with over 80 Executive Board members broken up into seven departments. If we can accomplish these great feats within just two years, imagine how much more we can accomplish going forward! We look forward to continuing to grow.
Other ways to get involved in Eco MoCo include our general membership program, Eco Ambassadors, which open all year for students. To join apply here.
Another opportunity where you can host educational presentations for young students during the summer at daycares, elementary schools, summer camps, and libraries is open! To be a presenter with A Better Home (an environmental children’s book made by two teenagers) apply here.
To learn more visit our website at ecomoco.co or our Instagram @ecomocoadvocacy.
We are excited to share the below news and opportunities below. These important grants are offered by both local and federal funding opportunities, and are made available to local governments, universities, community organizations, businesses and individuals.
Biden-Harris Administration Announces $2 Billion to Fund Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants as Part of Investing in America Agenda
The Biden-Harris Administration has announced a groundbreaking $2 billion investment in environmental and climate justice through the Community Change Grants program. Administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), these grants constitute the largest single investment in environmental justice, supporting community-led projects focused on clean energy, climate resilience, and environmental justice challenges. The funds, part of President Biden's Investing in America agenda and facilitated by the Inflation Reduction Act, aim to empower disadvantaged communities historically overlooked and burdened by pollution. The program offers two tracks for submission, totaling approximately $2 billion, with specific Target Investment Areas identified, including support for tribes, territories, and border communities. Rolling applications will be accepted until November 21, 2024, and oral presentations from applicants are encouraged. Additionally, $200 million is allocated for technical assistance to enhance community access to resources for environmental and climate justice activities. EPA will host informational webinars to provide further details and address questions.
For more information, click here.
Green & Healthy Homes Initiative’s Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program
In collaboration with the EPA, GHHI will award $40 million in grants, flowing from the Inflation Reduction Act, to fund 171 eligible projects in historically disinvested communities throughout EPA’s Region 3 (includes Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and 7 federally recognized tribes). To further ensure equity and transparency, the Project includes a dedicated Advisory Board comprised of 11 organizations which will provide outreach support, applicant engagement, and ensure equitable, transparent project implementation. To ensure subrecipients’ technical assistance needs are met, the Project will also include a dedicated team of technical assistance partners with subject matter expertise congruous to the projects selected to receive TCGM subgrants.
Projected Award Levels:
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60 Phase I subgrants: 1 year up to $150,000 assessment projects
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51 Phase II subgrants: 1-2 years up to $250,000 planning projects
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50 Phase III subgrants: 2 years up to $350,000 project development projects
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10 Noncompetitive subgrants will be for 1 year up to $75,000 for severely capacity constrained communities (selected by Advisory Board)
A grants portal will open on the GHHI site in August 2024. For more information, click here.
Lots of exciting opportunities available for job seekers. Check out DEP’s Green Job Portal for additional climate and sustainability jobs, including these highlighted positions:
Program Officer, Local Government and Community Engagement, America is All: - World Wildlife Fund (WWF): Join one of the world’s leading conservation organizations, as a Program Officer, with major function: World Wildlife Fund. View Job.
2024 DOE Scholars Program - U.S. Department of Energy (DOE): Application Deadline: 8/19/2024 8:00 am Are you interested in Artificial Intelligence – Clean Energy and Renewable Sources: Wind, Solar – apply now. View Job
Program Specialist I (RainScapes): Montgomery County Government Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is seeking a Program Specialist I to support the work of the RainScapes Team in the Stewardship Section of the Watershed Restoration Division. The ideal candidate enjoys, and has demonstrated experience, working with program systems and operational processes, working with the public, is engaging, creative, and has a desire to work and interact with residents who have diverse cultures, backgrounds, and experiences. Apply by July 2. View Job.
DEP Program Manager II - Storm Water Inspections: Montgomery County Government Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is seeking a professional to manage a compliance, inspection and enforcement program to ensure that stormwater management (SWM) Best Management Practices (BMPs) are functioning properly in accordance with State and local laws. The position will primarily focus on the maintenance of privately owned stormwater management BMPs. Apply by July 8. View Job
Ask an EV Owner (July 3 at 7:30 - 8:30 pm): On the first Wednesday of every month, join EVADC for an online Ask An EV Owner event. Are you shopping for an EV or just want to learn more? Do you have questions about your new EV? Then this event is for you! Join this virtual program.
CANCELLED - Climate, Energy, and Air Quality Advisory Committee CEAQAC (July 3, 7:00 – 9:00 pm): The Climate, Energy, and Air Quality Advisory Committee (CEAQAC) is charged with advising the Montgomery County Executive and Council on issues related to energy and air quality. CEAQAC generally meets on the first Wednesday of every month, from 7-9 pm. See you at the next one. For more information, click here.
Weed Warrior Workdays (July 4, 5, 6, 7 at 9:00 am – 12:00 pm): Participate in a Weed Warrior Workday at a local park (various locations scheduled). Help remove invasive plant species and learn about the importance of native plants in our ecosystem. Gloves and tools provided. Registration is encouraged. For more information, click here.
Parks Summer Concert Series (Thursday, July 11, 18, 25 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm): Enjoy live music performances at various parks across Montgomery County. Bring a picnic and enjoy a summer evening outdoors. Free to attend. For more details, click here.
Illumination Stations (Various Dates in July): An innovative initiative launched by Montgomery County’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) where residents can learn about energy efficiency and exchange old incandescent and compact fluorescent bulbs for new energy-efficient LED light bulbs throughout the month. This not only promotes energy savings but also highlights the importance of adopting greener technologies in our daily lives. For more information, click here.
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