Calendar year 2024 energy benchmarking reports are due by June 2, 2025. 150 buildings have already been reported!

Once all data is entered in ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager, submit your benchmarking report at the Montgomery County Building Energy Benchmarking Reporting Portal.

Resources to help you comply:

• DEP's Step-by-Step Guide to Benchmarking
• Virtual Help Desk: Need help? Book a Benchmarking Support virtual meeting with one of DEP staff here. Please book a 30 minute time slot and add your Montgomery County Building ID, building address, and a brief summary of your question in the "Notes" section.
• Green Bank Technical Assistance: The Montgomery County Green Bank provides benchmarking technical assistance and can connect property owners with a service provider to benchmark the building and verify data if required and may provide financial support to help cover the costs. 

More resources are available on DEP's Benchmarking Website. For help, please email our Benchmarking Help Desk for help or with questions. We are happy to schedule a call or screen-share to troubleshoot and help you comply. 

The Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) has released a new episode of its DPS podcast, “New Codes,” focusing on the recently approved 2021 codes and their impact on DPS commercial building customers. The Montgomery County Council approved these new codes (ER 13-24 and ER 14-24), with local amendments on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024. These updates will become mandatory at DPS starting Monday, March 31, replacing the 2018 International Code Council (ICC) codes and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) codes and standards.   

In this episode, staff discuss the background of the code cycle, ways to learn more about the new codes (including upcoming DPS virtual training sessions), and the significance of these changes for the safety and sustainability of Montgomery County’s new and existing buildings and spaces.   

The Mid-Atlantic Preservation Academy aims to support a cohort of affordable housing organizations and owner-operators in preserving affordable small- and medium-multifamily housing through an engaging cohort-based training series and grant opportunity in 2025. If selected for the Preservation Academy cohort, every participating organization will have access to training and peer-learning sessions, grant funding, and technical assistance. 

Apply for the Mid-Atlantic Preservation Academy by April 14th.

The Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is now accepting applications for its Food Truck Generator Electrification Pilot Program. This initiative seeks to reduce noise and pollution from mobile food service businesses by providing financial incentives to replace gasoline- and diesel-powered generators with clean, quiet and efficient battery-powered systems.

The program is available to licensed mobile food service businesses (including food trucks and trailers) in Montgomery County. Thanks to a generous $150,000 grant from the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA), eligible businesses can receive zero-interest financing and cash incentives to purchase and install battery power systems. The MEA grant allows the Food Truck Generator Electrification Pilot to offer direct subsidies to food truck operators, helping to offset the cost of electric generator systems, which typically range from $10,000 to $25,000.

To participate, food truck operators must complete the program application form.

Check out DEP’s Green Job Portal for open positions in climate and sustainability jobs! 

Local News

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich Highlights Major Climate Action Plan Progress During Visit to Walt Whitman High School (County Press Release)

Maryland national leader in reducing greenhouse gas emissions (Maryland PIRG)

Other News

ACEEE Releases Annual State Energy Efficiency Scorecard (ACEEE) Maryland ranks #4

Heat pumps outsold gas furnaces by their biggest-ever margin in 2024 (Canary Media)

This map shows where to swap out industrial boilers for heat pumps (Canary Media)

A New Era of Energy Efficiency & Growth: 3 Key Factbook Findings (Alliance to Save Energy)

IRA credits and energy demand continue to drive renewables investments (Utility Dive)

SEIA report says a record amount of solar capacity was added to the grid last year (Daily Energy Insider)