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Wednesday, February 26, 2025 | Department of Environmental Protection
On February 25, County Council held a vote on the Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS) regulations, 17-23AM. Council voted unanimously to approve the regulations. View the staff packet or a recording of the Council session.
The BEPS regulation sets site energy use intensity performance standards for each building type, provides a credit for onsite renewable energy towards meeting the performance standard, and defines the elements required in Building Performance Improvement Plans (BPIPs).
Action follows County Council's work session on Executive Regulation 17-23AM, Building Energy Performance Standards on February 11. View the staff packet or a recording of the proceedings.
Learn more and view a copy of the adopted regulations on DEP's BEPS website.
County Executive Marc Elrich is seeking applicants to fill vacancies on the Building Performance Improvement Board (BPIB) which advises on implementation of building energy performance standards (BEPS).
Each member of the Board must be a resident of the County or a member of the governing body or staff of an entity doing business in the County. Voting members serve three-year terms without compensation, but are eligible for reimbursement for travel and dependent care for in-person meetings attended. BPIB meetings are typically held virtually the third Wednesday of each month from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM.
Given the incumbents eligible for reappointment, we have a particular need for:
- Representative of Local Electricity or Natural Gas Utility
- Nonresidential Building Owner or Manager
- Owner or Manager of Affordable Housing
- Commercial or Multi-Family Residential Construction Finance or Investment Professionals
- Representatives of Nonprofit Organizations Dedicated to Racial Equity or Environmental Justice
Appy by reading the instructions and filling out the application form at https://cexbcc.montgomerycountymd.gov/board/4471. The application deadline is March 5.
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Plenary speakers have been announced for the Montgomery County Energy Summit, being held April 8 and 9 at the Silver Spring Civic Building. County Executive Marc Elrich will deliver opening remarks, joined by Montgomery County Council President Kate Stewart, DEP Director Jon Monger, and Climate Change Officer Sarah Kogel-Smucker.
Carl Elefante, fellow of the American Institute of Architects, member of the Association for Preservation Technology and former president of the American Institute of Architects, will provide the keynote address. Elefante, known for the influential principle "the greenest building is the one that already exists," will discuss key themes from his forthcoming book, "Going for Zero: Decarbonizing the Built Environment on the Path to Our Urban Future."
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The Montgomery County Green Bank is recruiting to fill vacant positions on the Board of Directors. Terms will start on July 1, 2025 for the eleven-member Montgomery County Green Bank Board of Directors.
View the Notice of Board of Directors Recruitment to learn more and download the Board Candidate Application. Candidates interested in applying must submit an expression of interest form by February 28, 2025 to hr@mcgreenbank.org with Subject Line: “Green Bank Board of Director Application”.
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The Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) Stakeholders Forum will be held on March 5 from 9 am to noon at the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) building, located at 2425 Reedie Drive in Wheaton, in the 2nd-floor auditorium.
Architects, builders, contractors, designers, developers, engineers, homeowners, land use attorneys, permit expediters and other professionals are encouraged to attend. The forum will feature presentations and updates from DPS staff on new programs, resources and services. Attendees can participate in seven breakout sessions on a variety of permitting topics, as well as a question-and-answer segment. Attendees are encouraged to provide input about their permitting experiences at the Stakeholders Forum.
To learn more, review the agenda online and register in advance as space is limited in the auditorium.
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MEA Community Electrification Program
MEA's Electrifying Community Buildings Grant Program will help Marylanders defray some of the costs of building electrification efforts. Eligible building types include:
- Hospitals and medical or care facilities
- K-12 private or charter schools (public schools can apply for the MEA Decarbonizing Public Schools Grant Program)
- Houses of worship
- Universities and colleges
- Not-for-profit or community-based organizations
- Buildings that provide services for the community
MEA will fund up to 50% of a project’s total cost. Applicants will need to demonstrate ability to cost-share. Questions on cost-share suggestions may be directed to building.decarbonization@maryland.gov. Applications will be accepted until March 14.
MEA Electrification Outreach Grant Program
MEA just launched the Electrification Outreach Grant Program, a first-of-its-kind program that will fund community-based outreach to educate communities on the benefits of building electrification and encourage adoption of electrification measures — such as heat pumps, induction stoves, and more. Only non-profits and community-based organizations are eligible to apply for this program. Applications will be accepted until March 26, 2025.
EmPOWER Incentives
Maryland’s EmPOWER program, which provides energy incentives for individuals and businesses located in the BGE, Pepco, and Potomac Edison utility territories, received a refresh after the program’s underlying legislation was amended in 2024. As of January 1, individuals and businesses are now eligible to receive rebates for electric systems and appliances, such as air-source and ground-source heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, and more. Contact your utility provider to learn more.
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Mar 1, 2 - 4 pm | Bethesda Green
Youth Climate Summit
Mar 7 | USGBC
LEED v5 as a Tool for Decarbonizing the Built Environment
Mar 11, 11 am - noon | Maryland Office of People's Council
What's that charge on my utility bill? (SMECO and Washington Gas)
Recorded sessions for other utilities also available
Mar 25, 8 am - 2 pm| Decarb Summits
Decarb DC Higher Education
Mar 29, 9 am - 5 pm | Youth Climate Advocacy Network
American Youth Climate Summit
May 10, 9 am - 5 pm | Electrify DC
Healthy Homes Fair 2025
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